In 2001, Valued Citizens learners expressed a desire to share their learning and make known their values with others and in doing so extend the impact of the Valued Citizens Programme to a broader community. The concept of an Art book was born, to free the imagination of learners through visual art and poetry and continue the journey of allowing children and teenagers to express their thoughts and ideas

The art books are themed on our constitutional values, citizenship principles and ethics. These themes are first dialogued and debated at Valued Citizens primary and high schools. These dialogues then lead to the creation of visual concepts – which after extensive educators art-training workshops provided by South African artists – result in the ideas being translated to the art form and evocative words.

All of the VCI art books promote our Constitutional Values and Human Rights and have become learning support materials for the Valued Citizens public schools.

In order to make it more impactful, we have decided to use these art books as a tool to fundraise so we also promote these publications as corporate gifts.

The driving purpose of the books, and their creators, is to remove barriers and blinkers in people’s minds and hearts as it strives to promote and strengthen a spirit of tolerance, respect for human dignity, equality and Ubuntu in our daily lives. The art books also provide an opportunity for our children to leave a legacy to South Africa and the World.