Despite the cultural, territorial and administrative unity of the Burundian people, their recent history has been characterized by tribal wars between communities, the height of which was reached in 1972 and 1993. Since then, some 200,000 Burundians have perished in widespread, often intense ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions. Hundreds of thousands have been internally displaced or have become refugees in neighboring countries. That period of guerrilla war and civil strife ended by the Arusha peace agreement signed in 2000 by the transitional government and the rebels. In 2005, Pierre Nkurunziza was elected as President and head of the State. After decades of civil war, Burundi is facing a high level of poverty as a result of dramatic violence. The ambition of the actual government intends to build a new peaceful and developed country. Hence, education is the highest priority of the actual government. Churches in Burundi are involved in the peace and reconciliation process, teaching people how they can live peacefully with each other, and that conflicts can be solved without fighting. In their framework of interfaith dialogue, they emphasize their engagement to educate for lasting peace and development.