Leading genocide prevention expert joins Aegis Trust to advance transformative peacebuilding globally

Aegis Trust today announces the appointment of Alice Wairimu Nderitu as Global President of the Isōko Centre for Humanity, marking a transformative moment in the organization’s mission to prevent genocide and build sustainable peace worldwide.

Ms. Nderitu, who served as United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Advisor to the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide from November 2021 to November 2024, brings immense expertise in conflict prevention, mediation, and human rights education to her new role.

Set to be located in Bugesera, Rwanda – a district that has transformed from one of the darkest chapters of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi to a symbol of reconciliation and hope – the Isōko Centre for Humanity, launched in 2024, will serve as a global hub for peace practitioners, researchers and community leaders seeking to stop largescale identity-based violence.

Under Ms. Nderitu’s leadership, the Centre will become a comprehensive platform for humanity-centered approaches to conflict resolution, drawing from Rwanda’s remarkable journey of reconstruction and reconciliation.

Translating Prevention into Practice

During her tenure at the United Nations, Ms. Nderitu prioritized translating genocide prevention from an international norm into practical community-level implementation. She spearheaded the development of groundbreaking policy documents, including the first UN document to recognize the IHRI definition of antisemitism in “Combating Holocaust and Genocide Denial,” and revolutionary action plans for women, traditional leaders and media stakeholders in preventing hate speech and incitement to violence.

Ms. Nderitu’s appointment brings to the Aegis Trust a wealth of hands-on conflict mediation experience. She is one of the few women mediator signatories to peace agreements, having led negotiations resulting in the 2012 Nakuru County Peace Accord signed by 10 ethnic communities in Kenya, the Kafanchan Peace Declaration signed by 29 ethnic communities in Kaduna State, Nigeria, and the Southern Plateau Inter-Communal Peace Declaration signed by 56 ethnic communities in Plateau State, also in Nigeria.

Recognition for Ms Nderitu’s work to date includes being named inaugural Global Pluralism Awardee by the Global Centre for Pluralism, awarded by His Highness the Aga Khan and the Government of Canada (2017), and being named Woman Peace Maker of the Year by the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, University of San Diego (2012).

Alice Wairimu Nderitu, Global President, Isōko Centre for Humanity: “The Isōko Centre for Humanity provides space to begin reimagining afresh what peacebuilding looks like in the context of not only atrocity crimes, but also new ways of waging war. Rwanda’s transformation from the ashes of genocide to a beacon of reconciliation offers the world a powerful model. At the Centre, we will work relentlessly to ensure that the lessons learned in Rwanda reach communities at risk worldwide, turning the principles of prevention into lived realities that protect the most vulnerable.”

Freddy Mutanguha, CEO, Aegis Trust: “Alice Wairimu Nderitu’s appointment marks a pivotal moment in our journey. Her experience in genocide prevention, conflict mediation and peacebuilding make her the ideal leader to guide the Isōko Centre for Humanity. We have seen firsthand how bringing people to Rwanda – exposing them to reconciliation villages and the power of our peace education model – creates transformative change. With Alice’s leadership, we will be able to scale this impact globally, inspiring more people with insight and ideas on how they can build peace and reconciliation in their own communities.”

Dr. James Smith, Founder, Aegis Trust: “When we first envisioned the Isōko Centre for Humanity, we were inspired by the late Aloisia Inyumba’s vision for an institution in Bugesera that would not only remember the genocide but bring people together, support them economically, and bring healing to their lives. Alice’s appointment as Global President of the Centre represents a powerful step toward fulfilment of that dream. Her proven ability to translate high-level policy into grassroots action, combined with her deep commitment to human dignity, positions the Centre to become a truly transformative force for peace in the World.”

To hear more from Alice about her new role with the Aegis Trust, her vision for the Isōko Centre for Humanity and her outlook on the many challenges for peacebuilding globally, view the following interview: https://youtu.be/OJiWK0dzk_k