Gedeon Patrick Hakizimana Gedeon Patrick Hakizimana has worked for the last three years with a refugee agency in Philadelphia managing a state funded employment program, assisting newly arrived refugees to reach self-sufficiency. During this time Patrick started a mentoring program between established professionals in the Philadelphia area and refugees who are seeking to advance their careers. Patrick attended Eastern University and earned a bachelors degree in political science in 2008. He went on to complete a Masters degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution at Arcadia University in May 2011 with a focus on reconciliation in Central Africa. Patrick, a native of Rwanda spent many years in the Democratic Republic of Congo among those displaced due to the Rwandan genocide and DRC civil war. While living in a refugee camp, he worked with Cartas Internationalis assisting with providing nutrition to children. Patrick's life experiences in a conflict zone are what inspired him to work towards peace and conflict resolution. He regularly speaks to students and young people about his experiences in the Rwandan conflict seeking both to raise awareness and inspire them towards peace. Patrick speaks five languages including English, Kinyarwandan, KiSwahili, Lingala and French. He currently lives in Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. In his spare time, he enjoys mountain biking and photography.
