'The genocide of Rwanda', Jan Pen prizewinner 2010 Lidewij Bergsma

Thursday April 1st, the Gammasteunpunt (Gamma Support Centre) awarded prizes for the best final year research papers of secondary school pupils. The RUG presents these prizes to stimulate and reward inquisitive and talented pupils.

The genocide of Rwanda 1994

Lidewij Bergsma won the 1st prize for her research on the genocide of Rwanda in 1994. In her paper she asked herself the question how it’s possible that such a genocide occurred while the international community stood and watched. A very critical question with a critical documentary as an answer. The documentary shows what happened in Rwanda from different perspectives. It makes clear that the international community was very negligent. Her results were based on thorough study of the literature, supported by interviews with several persons concerned.Lidewy interviewed Mr. J. Pronk (Former minister of development cooperation), Mr. B. van Loosdrecht (at the time press adviser of Mr. Pronk) and mrs. L. Anten (at the time responsible for the SNV, a foundation for Dutch volunteers in Rwanda) for her documentary.

The jury, composed of Mr. Wim Westerman, (Faculty of Economic and Business), Mr. Ernst Thoutenhoofd (Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences) and Mr. Teo Tuinstra, (Faculty of Law) was impressed, beside the choice of topic, by the way Lidewij interviewed people and how she made the documentary: she therefore won the first price!

And the other winners are…

Second prizewinners were Robbert Janssen and Fabian van Neerbos, because of the social and economic relevance of their subject. The boys choose to compare the Big Depression of the thirty years and the economical crises nowadays. The way they compare these two crises was very precisely done; guided by clear research questions.

Marloes Groeneveld, Michelle van der Poel and Lotte van Middelaar received the 3rd prize for their research on the hot subject of Corporate Social Responsibility.

The public also had a vote! All nominees presented their research that afternoon and the audience gave their prizes to the ladies of ‘Corporate Social Responsibilty’ and ‘De Helpende Hand’ (a helping hand), about cheap and efficient solutions for arm prosthesis in Third World countries, by Chantal Hofsteenge & Eline Heida.

All invited to submit their first popular scientific article

The quality of the nominees’ research always raises enthusiasm among jury members and the audience. Therefore since two years a magazine ‘JONGgeleerd’ is published presenting high quality research by secondary school pupils. The magazine is handed out at all secondary schools. So pupils can present their work to a broader audience and inspire others. All nominees are invited to submit an article for the 3rd edition to be published this summer.