Rwanda genocide memorial planned for Bankside’s Cathedral Square

On Wednesday Southwark Cathedral hosted the annual service to commemorate the victims of the Rwanda Genocide of 1994. It takes place on the anniversary of the start of the genocide which cost the lives of almost one million men, women and children.

Later in the day the Dean of Southwark and Baroness Chalker of Wallasey launched the Rwanda Genocide Memorial Project to establish a permanent monument in Cathedral Square, the open space between Montague Close and the River Thames at Bankside.

The second aim is to create a scholarship fund to provide support over a period of years, or in perpetuity, for post-graduate Rwandans wishing to study at selected higher education institutions in the Commonwealth.

Last November Southwark Cathedral flew the Rwandan flag from its tower to mark Rwanda's admission to membership of the Commonwealth.

It is hoped that the monument will be completed and the scholarship scheme inaugurated over the next two years.

The chosen design for the monument is by the Langlands & Bell partnership.

Ben Langlands and Nikki Bell travelled to Rwanda to undertake research for the project.

The patrons of the project include Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Lenny Henry.

• www.rwandagenocidememorial.org