Guest speakers at the event included the team from The Justice Desk, a human rights organisation focusing on advocacy, training and education on social injustice and accessing human rights across South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Justice Desk team engaged with the learners on everyday activism, how to practically respond to social injustice, understanding the nature of human rights and accountability in upholding these rights. The platform was also shared by Thembalethu Seysisi, a young legal scholar who is part of the team involved in developing the M-Plan for Social Justice under Professor Thuli Madonsela. Thembalethu shared his views on understanding privilege in the realisation of rights and breaking down barriers to access human rights. Thembalethu also emphasised using practical ways to participate in socio-legal discourse, such as participating in the public commenting process on proposed bills potentially infringing on human rights.

There is a critical need for more dialogues involving the youth and ensuring safe spaces for them to challenge perceptions of social justice, learn more about human rights and how the constitutional democracy envisioned by the Constitution rests upon them to fulfil. It is the CFCR’s hope to contribute to this important project and to this extent. Schools interested in constitutional educational workshops can contact the CFCR on info@cfcr.org

*Visit the CFCR’s Facebook page to view Image Galley of Youth Dialogue