Bridges of Peace is an original Play Africa program designed to strengthen social inclusion of refugees, asylum- seekers and other migrant communities through facilitated workshops and exhibits that promote empathy and compassion. For South Africa’s democracy to thrive in future generations, children need to learn to live, play, learn and work alongside one another with tolerance and peace. This begins by nurturing a shared sense of belonging and affirming the values of the Constitution and the rule of law.
Play Africa is a growing, agile children’s museum in Johannesburg, South Africa. We empower and equip all children and families for the future through play, creativity, innovation and connection. Based at the iconic Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, South Africa., Play Africa creates a society that honours children and champions their rights, celebrating imagination and encouraging experimentation, innovation and problem-solving. Its hands-on play areas encourage children to test their independence and gain confidence in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths), the arts, self-expression and civic engagement. Through this exhibit and facilitated programmes, Play Africa aims to:
1. FOSTER EMPATHY AND UBUNTU THROUGH DIALOGUE AND PLAY
Explore concepts of inclusion, diversity, empathy and ubuntu
Build awareness about xenophobia and its consequences
Invite learners to build on these themes through Play Africa's original, child-centred learning environment designed to develop emotional awareness and to encourage interpersonal connection
2. CELEBRATE THE RICH DIVERSITY OF CULTURES IN SOUTH AFRICA
Share examples of the importance of ubuntu and human connection as a way to address xenophobia or misdirected hate towards others
Reinforce the right of every child and every person to live in peace in our Constitutional democracy
Encourage personal expression on diversity and inclusion
3. INSPIRE CHILDREN TO BECOME CRITICAL THINKERS
Empower children to become self-directed learners through development of five key areas: creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration and new competencies.
As in all our programmes, we capture qualitative and quantitative data to ensure we successfully deliver on our objectives.
CONTEXT
Xenophobia and intolerance of refugees and asylum seekers remains a serious challenge in urban Johannesburg, despite South Africa’s many strides towards a more democratic, rights-based society.
Refugees and asylum seekers face violence, intimidation and fear – as evidenced by the recent uptick in attacks in early 2019. The basic human rights of refugees and asylum seekers are routinely violated by host country staff within South African institutions, including schools, hospitals, police and other services.
By virtue of their age, children remain the most vulnerable members of migrant communities. This is compounded by high incidences of family poverty, violence, social exclusion, neglect, and poor education on children’s rights within urban Johannesburg. Laws protect all children, but in practice many of the country’s migrant and refugee children, like host-country children, still lack basic protections, much less a chance to learn through play in safe, inclusive and equitable environments.