Construction of a Peace Centre in Kigali, Rwanda, is close to completion.

Started in April 2008, the Peace Centre will form a crossroad of peace initiatives, enabling Rwandan and regional actors engaged in peace efforts to meet and have access to peace-related documentation.

It will create a space for reflection and exchange among all Rwandans, helping to restore broken societal links and identify controversial issues that might generate major conflicts in the future.

The Centre, whose land was donated by the local authority of the Gasabo district of Kigali, is the first of its kind in Rwanda. It is situated next to the Free University of Kigali and will be divided into two main sections: one building comprising a presentation/debate hall, a library and an audiovisual center, the other housing the Institute of Research and Dialogue for Peace (IRDP) and their support offices. The auditorium is designed to host up to 150 people and in addition a large outdoor meeting area will be created.

Work on the main building of the Peace Centre (auditorium and library) is scheduled to be completed towards the end of the year. The offices of IRDP will be finished in mid-2009.