About Us
Our Goals
Educate the International Community
Alert the international community to both the causes and effects of genocide.
Facilitate Exchange of Ideas
Empower conflict-affected youth with education and leadership skills to rebuild communities and champion peace.
Prioritize Gender Equality
Deliver targeted support to children affected by conflict, with a specific focus on gender equality to protect and empower girls and young women.
Our Story
Never Again International – Canada (NAI-C) was born from a desire to address the devastating legacy of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which left countless children orphaned, homeless, and without access to basic care or education.
The concept for the organisation emerged in 2006 at the Expanding the Dialogue workshop in Winnipeg. Organised by Search for Common Ground and General Roméo Dallaire, the event brought together stakeholders and former child soldiers. Melanie Tomsons, attending as a volunteer, was inspired to launch an initiative dedicated to promoting peace and eradicating the use of child soldiers.
The organization took concrete shape after Melanie and Joseph travelled to Rwanda to engage directly with local youth. They were deeply moved by groups such as the Kicukiro Academy Troupe Cooperative (KATC), where students and street children used music, dance, and community service to support genocide survivors and advocate for peace.
Motivated by the resilience of these young people, Melanie and Joseph returned home to establish NAI-C. Initially focused on creating youth clubs in Rwandan schools and communities, the organization has since expanded its mandate globally. Today, NAI-C harnesses the power of youth around the world to prevent genocide and ensure that child soldiers are never used again.
Our Board
Adam Jones
Professor of political science at the University of British Columbia Okanagan and author of "Genocide: A Comprehensive Introduction". He has worked as an expert consultant with the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention.
Benon Kalisa
Youth coordinator for Never Again International – Canada in Rwanda with experience in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. He has a background in business management and has worked on projects involving youth empowerment and income generation.
Giramata Radegonde
Survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide who was in high school in the Western province of Rwanda during the event. She later studied Political Science at Wayne State University in Michigan.
Jimmie Briggs
Respected human rights advocate and journalist known for his work on war-affected youth and child soldiers. He is the author of "Innocents Lost: When Child Soldiers Go To War" and has received numerous accolades for his reporting and advocacy.
Michael Mayen
South Sudanese "lost boy" who migrated to Canada and founded the Language Centre for Newcomers in Brooks, Alberta. He works to support refugees and war-affected individuals, providing language training and settlement services.
Ornella Umubyeyi
Survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and CEO/founder of Soul Survivors International, a Christian non-profit helping vulnerable children in Burundi. She is also a youth pastor, photographer, songwriter, poet, author, and leadership mentor.
Zahra Liberté Aldünia
Founder and CEO of Paradigm Shifters Community Engagement Organization, focusing on encouraging global change through pop culture. She has extensive experience in social justice work and has received recognition for her efforts in social entrepreneurship.
Fernando Barbosa
An award-winning documentary filmmaker, actor, and entrepreneur with a remarkable career that began at the age of ten. His passion for storytelling has driven him to work on films that have represented Bolivia at the Academy Awards and earned numerous accolades across the globe.