News
18 February 2008
Students put human rights under the spotlight
Now in its sixth year, the 10-day festival is organised by students on the renowned masters course in Development and Emergency Practice.
From 29 February – 9 March, up to 19 films will be showcased at venues across the city including The Jam Factory, The Regal, The Jericho Tavern and Oxford Brookes University.
The films chosen look at the theme of hope and among the headliners will be Blood Diamond and the award-winning Rabbit Proof Fence.
For full film listings see:
www.brookes.ac.uk/schools/be/cendep/humanrights
The opening night will see a music performance from Brazilian Samba band, Illustrious Sambistas and the screening of Favela Rising, a Brazilian film about a former drug-trafficker who turns social revolutionary in Rio de Janeiro’s most feared slum.
23-year-old Brookes' student, Anne Leewis from Holland, is the event’s co-ordinator. She said: “The film festival has an important message about making sure people’s human rights are upheld and we hope the films will appeal to a wide audience.
“We also wanted to show that it’s not all hopeless, that with commitment and perseverance even the bleakest of situations can change for the better.”
David Sanderson, who leads the course, added: “The programme attracts a diverse cohort of students from around the world every year, many of whom have experienced working in countries that have witnessed war, disaster and poverty. This year we have 32 students from 18 countries.
“We have students from the Philippines, Darfur, the USA, Uganda, Sri Lanka and India. Many go on to work for aid agencies and development and emergency organisations right across the world.”
Films are shown free of charge and are open to the public as well as to students and staff.
For further information about Oxford Brookes' Centre for Development and Emergency Practice, CENDEP, see www.brookes.ac.uk/schools/be/cendep
