Learners for Change programme zeroes in on human rights

28 March 2025

The City’s Community, Arts and Culture Development Department recently concluded the programme for nearly 50 learners from high schools in Atlantis. The timing of their graduation ceremony aligned perfectly with Human Rights month.

‘We are delighted to see so many learners participating in the Learners for Change programme. Getting to grips with your role in the community and securing the tools to deal with change is something we all can benefit from. I tip my hat to our Community, Arts and Culture Department for facilitating access to this and other interventions that promote active citizenship, and I encourage the participants to go out and put into practice all that they have learnt,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.

The programme had 48 participants, aged between 15 and 18. The learners from Proteus Technical High School and Robinvale High School in Atlantis attended six sessions in February and March.

Topics included peer mediation, the importance of peace, various types of conflict and conflict resolution, human rights and active citizenship.

Learners also had the opportunity to discuss dealing with emotions and identity and how to actively communicate by using listening skills.

On 15 March, they received certificates of participation at a graduation ceremony. 

The Community, Arts and Culture Development Department partnered with the schools, the Whitaker Peace Development Initiative, Basic Package of Support and Vigit Magazine.

‘The Learners for Change programme has become a game changer. Learners' lives are changed. Their focus is sharpened and with every engagement, I experienced greater levels of excitement and enlightenment, and the broadening of minds to explore acts of volunteerism and responsive citizenry. An outcome of this programme will be a peer mediation programme at Robinvale and Proteus High Schools to help mitigate learner violence and intolerance. I will continue to support this programme through ward allocation funding as our learner community deserves such opportunities,’ said ward 32 councillor Moosa Raise.

This is the third programme for Learners for Change. The department plans to roll out the programme to other areas in the metropole in the future.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office