In a world where collective memory shapes the course of societies, CIS University and the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Spain Foundation present an innovative art workshop led by renowned international artist Januário Jano. This initiative is part of the institutions’ ongoing commitment to fostering transformative education grounded in human rights, critical thinking, and the dignity of every individual.
Through this program, university students will explore the power of art as a tool to challenge official narratives, reconstruct identities, and give voice to silenced stories. The initiative seeks not only to train professionals but also to foster conscious citizens capable of interpreting the world from an ethical and humanistic perspective.
A Legacy That Inspires Action
The project is rooted in the legacy of Robert F. Kennedy, whose vision of social justice and commitment to the most vulnerable continues to guide the Foundation’s work around the world. Since its inception, the organization has promoted educational programs that bring human rights into the classroom, convinced that social change begins with education and individual action.
In Spain, this mission is realized through strategic partnerships with academic institutions such as CIS University, which for more than four decades has been committed to a holistic education based on values such as ethics, responsibility, and respect for human rights.
This new workshop represents a natural evolution of that commitment, incorporating the language of contemporary art as a vehicle for learning and reflection.
Art as a Space for Truth and Questioning
The core of this initiative revolves around the work of Angolan-British artist Januário Jano, whose interdisciplinary practice addresses fundamental issues such as identity, memory, and colonial history. His approach invites us to rethink the concept of the archive, understood not as a neutral record but as a system that decides what is remembered and what is forgotten.
During the workshop, students will participate in the creation of an “unreliable archive,” an artistic project in which they will combine real and fictional elements to explore how personal and collective narratives are constructed. This exercise allows them to question official versions of history and uncover emotional truths that are often left out of traditional records.
The methodology, based on experimentation and critical reflection, reinforces the idea that knowledge is not static, but a living process in constant construction.
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Voices Leading Change
Dr. María Díaz de la Cebosa, president of CIS University and the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Spain Foundation, has highlighted the relevance of this type of initiative in today’s educational context:
“Our mission is to educate human beings committed to the common good, capable of questioning, empathizing, and taking action. Art has a unique capacity to raise awareness and open spaces for dialogue that transform both students and society.”
For his part, Januário Jano underscores the importance of rethinking memory from a critical and creative perspective:
“The archive is not just a place where we store the past, but a tool that defines who we are. Through art, we can recover forgotten stories and build new ways of understanding our identity.”
These voices reflect a leadership committed to an education that transcends the academic and becomes a driving force for social change.
Impact and International Reach
This workshop builds on a proven track record of projects led by CIS University and its foundations, which have impacted thousands of young people in Spain and the United States through educational programs and intercultural experiences. Initiatives such as the Camino de Santiago Program or the development of the Speak Truth to Power program have demonstrated the power of education to transform lives and build bridges between cultures.
The incorporation of art as a pedagogical tool expands the scope of these initiatives, positioning Spain as a leader in educational innovation in human rights. Furthermore, it reinforces the project’s international dimension by integrating global perspectives and fostering dialogue across different cultural contexts.
The expected impact extends beyond the classroom: the goal is to shape individuals capable of positively influencing their communities by promoting values of justice, inclusion, and respect.
A Call to Build the Future
At a historic moment marked by polarization and uncertainty, initiatives like this one remind us of the transformative power of education and individual commitment. CIS University and the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Spain Foundation thus reaffirm their mission to sow hope through knowledge, creativity, and action.
