Critical Dialogue Programmes
As an organisation with human dignity and social justice at its core, Cornerstone aims to promote and contribute to important conversations around human rights through advocacy, lobbying and research. One of the ways in which we do this is with our monthly Critical Dialogue series.
The series started in 2015 and traditionally takes the form of physical events including book launches, panel discussions, interactive workshops, exhibitions and local film screenings – all of which aim to stimulate public debate that moves society forward. Since COVID hit the nation, and lockdowns were imposed, the Critical Dialogues have, like many others, moved into an online space.
Prior to 2025, we hosted monthly virtual panel discussions, an art and music show, and a hybrid-model 3-day event in November, comprising of workshops, masterclasses and presentations on a range of topics under the broad theme of “Leadership as a mechanism of Reclaiming our futures”.
Throughout the year, we unpacked a range of issues that crept to the fore as COVID-19 shone a light on many of societies cracks, which we had become so used to ignoring.
Some of these topics included; Internet Access as a Human Right, Food Security in South Africa, Reimagining Education & workforce requirements for 21st century Africa, Activism: Then & Now, and The Impact of COVID-19 on Private Higher Education.
Prior to 2025, our event calendar was carefully planned, though details occasionally shifted as we adapted to COVID protocols to keep our community safe. As we look ahead, we encourage you to mark your calendar and participate in upcoming discussions, forums, dialogues, workshops, symposiums, webinars, and conferences.
In 2025, we’ve refined our scheduling to bring you an exciting lineup of topics, speakers, and events that you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re a new or returning participant, we welcome you to join us—bring your colleagues for what promises to be a memorable experience!
You can join us on FACEBOOK and YOUTUBE, where you can also watch some of our previous episodes. Or you can follow us on INSTAGRAM and TWITTER if you’d like to be made aware of upcoming events.
Alternatively, get a prompt straight into your inbox by signing up for our Critical Dialogue mailing list. Simply CLICK HERE to sign up.
The rest of the details; time, date and venue will be communicated at the appropriate date and time. Watch this space!
For further information, email rsvp@cornerstone.ac.za or call 021 448 0050.
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Read more 06 June 2024The 2nd Critical Dialogue on 'The Challenge of Literacy in South African Primary Education'
CAPE TOWN, February 13th, 2024 - Cornerstone Institute, in collaboration with Oxford University Press Southern Africa (OUPSA), proudly announces the 2nd Critical Dialogue event which will take place on March 7th, 2024 at Workshop 17 situated at the V&A Waterfront. The event will tackle 'The Challenge of Literacy in South African Primary Education,' aiming to address the significant literacy challenges facing South Africa, particularly in primary education.
Read more 07 March 2024New Approaches to Local Government Service Delivery & Economic Development
In the wake of the recent local government elections, this episode of the Cornerstone Institute Critical Dialogues will take a deep dive into how to make local government more effective at delivering services to communities, as well as new approaches to stimulate economic development on the local community level.
Read more 16 December 2021What's the Point of Activism against GBVF?
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, emerging data and reports from those on the front lines have shown that all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, has intensified. This is the growing ‘shadow pandemic’ – and we need a global collective effort to stop it. As COVID-19 cases continue to strain health services, essential services – such as domestic violence shelters and helplines – have reached capacity.
Read more 25 November 2021The Rising Cost of Homelessness in Cape Town
If you walk around any South African city it is impossible not to be struck by the number of homeless people there are – you can’t miss it, especially in the early evening when people who have nowhere else to stay are bedding down for the night in shop doorways, under bridges or in parks. It is difficult to quantify exactly how many people are sleeping on the streets in South Africa as no reliable national statistics are routinely collected.
Read more 11 November 2021“Artists Are Surviving Lockdown And Living To Tell The Tale.”
COVID-19 has rapidly changed the way that everyone — including artists and creative freelancers — conduct business. Cancelled shows and gigs, institutions that have gone under, isolation and mental health issues have all taken their toll. An August 2020 study in the US showed that unemployment is particularly high for performing artists in the wake of the Covid19 pandemic.
Read more 04 November 2021THE SCIENCE, POLITICS AND ECONOMICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
“The people who are currently in power and responsible for making important decisions will not likely be alive in 20 – 30 years when the worst effects of the current rate of climate change will be felt. Therefore, they don’t have as much to lose from continuing to make bad decisions. By the time we inherit political and strategic power on this planet, it will be too late to make changes.”
Read more 21 October 2021New Cornerstone Critical Dialogues
As part of our collaboration with Bush Radio 89.5FM, South Africa's oldest community radio station, the next season of the Cornerstone Critical Dialogues will be taking on a new format.
Read more 07 October 2021Fed Up With Being Afraid - Tackling Gender Based Violence In South Africa
In the year 2019/2020 the South African Police Service recorded 53 776 sexual offences, with 42 664 of these being rape cases. While the final figures for 2021 are yet to be released, we know that many incidents remain undocumented, unreported and unaccounted for within national statistics.
Read more 11 August 2021