People Who Have Made Us Think > Activism
Roméo Dallaire
Romeo Dallaire in a letter sent to the CBC and read on the air on July 3, 2000
Core Contribution
Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire is a decorated retired soldier who nearly forfeited his own life after witnessing the atrocities of genocide and the callousness of human indifference. He now publicly addresses critical issues of ethical and moral responsibility in leadership decision making, as well as the absolute need for the respect for all human life.
Though in military service for 35 years, Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire could only hope to forget this ratio 100:800,000. He experienced first hand the impact of 100 days on man's psyche, on a nation, and on the world after being reduced to an impotent observer of the Tutsi genocide in Rwanda. Dallaire has battled sometimes failing mental health, and rededicated himself to humanity by now working on behalf of war affected children as an advocate for the abolition of child soldiers, child prostitution, and bringing an overall humanism to leadership and conflict resolution.
Biography
Dallaire joined the Canadian army in 1964 and over 35 years held multiple positions that grew in prestige and responsibility. He was Director of Land Requirements for the Canadian Land Forces and Director of Artillery, and made Brigadier-General in 1989. In 1993, Dallaire was appointed Force Commander of the UN Assistance Mission in Rwanda (UNAMIR), and promoted to Major General in 1994, where he assumed simultaneously the positions of Deputy Commander of Land Force Command in St. Hubert and Commander of the 1st Canadian Division. Promoted to Lieutenant General, Dallaire assumed the duties of Assistant Deputy Minister (Human Resources-Military) in 1998. He retired from the Canadian army in 2000 and is now special advisor to the Canadian Ministry of Defence on child soldiers.
Additional Information
