At the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR), we recognise education as a vital tool for advancing social justice, reconciliation, and inclusive democracy. That is why it lies at the heart of what we do, including our Sustain Dialogues (S-D) programmes.

S-D uses dialogue as a mechanism to acknowledge, confront, and engage with the enduring legacies that continue to marginalise, wound, and cause injustice. These interactions go beyond simple discussions—they serve as transformative experiences that shape the perspectives and actions of future generations both in Africa and abroad.

IJR has long been at the forefront of fostering meaningful dialogue and advocating for redress through education. In 2006, we hosted a national conference themed “A National Priority? TRC Recommendations and the Need for Redress.”

As a result of its significant impact, we received the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education in 2008, further cementing our stance on the importance of education in combating human rights violations, promoting healing, and driving sustainable change.

In line with the commitment above, from 19 to 21 March 2025, the S-D team hosted three groups of international students from the United States, eager to learn more about the work of IJR and engage in meaningful dialogue.

On 19 March, students from one of the University of Chicago’s public policy programmes visited our offices as part of their experiential learning curriculum. The programme was designed to expose students to diverse cultures and societal structures, with our session aimed at showcasing the work of IJR’s key programmes: Peacebuilding Interventions, Sustained Dialogues, and Research and Policy.

In the spirit of Nelson Mandela’s words, “Our children are our greatest treasure. They are our future,” we also hosted students from The Dalton School and Dwight School, prestigious schools from New York.

The Dalton School is a leading, independent, gender-inclusive day school (K-12) that is committed to promoting an understanding of, and an appreciation for, diversity, something that is an integral part of school life. Their session at IJR centred around contemporary challenges and efforts towards healing.

Similarly, Dwight School is a globally recognised International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, focusing on fostering a broad, internationally minded perspective among their students. During their session, the students engaged in dialogues about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), its legacy, impact, and limitations in South Africa’s healing process.

By integrating reconciliation-focused education into schools, universities, and public discourse, the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation aims to contribute to shaping informed and engaged citizens that are committed to sustainable peace and justice.

We are grateful for the opportunities to engage with future leaders and global changers and look forward to more stimulating engagements to come.