FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021
Oxford Fair Trade Coalition AGM + Talk. Fair Trade Lebanon: Past, Present and Future
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The Oxford Fair Trade Coalition wrap up 2020 and present a talk by guest speakers from Fair Trade Lebanon. What has been the impact of the recent blast, Covid-19 and the financial crisis? Fair Trade Lebanon (FTL) is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) born in the year of 2006 out of the will of a few Lebanese who wanted to change the livelihoods of disadvantaged rural populations in Lebanon.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
​Screening & Discussion 'Picture A Scientist'
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PICTURE A SCIENTIST chronicles the groundswell of researchers who are writing a new chapter for women scientists. Biologist Nancy Hopkins, chemist Raychelle Burks, and geologist Jane Willenbring lead viewers on a journey deep into their own experiences in the sciences, ranging from brutal harassment to years of subtle slights. An official selection of the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, postponed due to the COVID-19. The film’s virtual theatrical run reached 47 theaters across the USA in June 2020, and raised money for two organizations advancing women of color in STEM.
'Developing a university module on resilience, wellbeing and mental health support in crisis settings'
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The nature of humanitarian work is physically, mentally and emotionally demanding. Humanitarian workers are often required to work in challenging conditions with no privacy, personal space or psychosocial support. It is believed that there is a mental health crisis amongst aid workers but no clear system has been set up to provide mental health and wellbeing support. This workshop provides an opportunity for students to learn about wellbeing and mental health in the humanitarian sector.
March Events
ONLINE FESTIVAL LAUNCH
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Join us for a celebratory evening as we launch our online exhibition and interactive tours around Oxford that include a walking tour, 'Memory Lab' and the 'Sorry Tree'. Meet the team that bought the festival together and find out how to use our interactive tools.
We also have a talk/Q & A about the Rohingya refugees photography competition that announced its winners in 2020. We talk with the founder of the competition Shafiur Rahman, Journalist and Documentary Maker.
Shafiur takes us on a journey through the photographs in our exhibition to help us understand the challenges and inspirations of everyday life during the pandemic for the Rohingya. PHOTO BY: NOOR HOSSAIN Competition PR Photographer​
NABEEL HAMDI LECTURE. The Best Way to See Is To Listen ' Nabeel Hamdi in conversation with Hans Skotte and friends
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Nabeel Hamdi will be in conversation with Hans Skotte about his practice, his academic work and his broader life experience. The conversation will reflect on what it takes to work in settings which are forever somewhere between order and chaos, Hamdi’s work in participatory design and planning, the methods and skills required in negotiating programmes and projects, the important relationships between teaching and practice, and some key lessons learnt over the years.​
A Tour of a Palestinian camp in Lebanon. ‘Life in Rashideh camp during COVID-19'
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A message from our host in Lebanon Basma El Douhki "Have you ever met refugees who are living in the camps? Did you know that there are been camps that were established more than 70 years in Lebanon, Rashideh is one of them. This tour is your opportunity to meet some of the locals in Rashideh camp and get a glimpse into their life during COVID-19. I am a resident of the camp will take you on a tour to meet some locals so we can hear their stories."
Launch of 'Advocating for a New Story of our Shared Humanity'Disrupting Narratives . Building Trust
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Creators of Peace are launching a guide to conversation circles for trust and community building. These engage individuals and groups in exploring the impact of damaging narratives of human hierarchies and hurting histories. Only a Shared Humanity can create the new story that will allow us to work together to tackle the urgent needs of our age. This event is in collaboration with Creators of Peace UK, Creators of Peace International, Initiatives of Change UK. Initiatives of Change International and the Oxford Human Rights Festival, the Centre of Development and Emergency Practice (CENDEP) at Oxford Brookes University.
'Does Poland deserve the title of the most homophobic country​in the EU? '
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The past few years proved to be difficult for the LGBT community in Poland. Many counties implemented a “pro-family” project to promote Christian family values and declared to oppose any other family models. By doing so, they began a process of discrimination of LGBT people and so called “rainbow families”. The evening will be a discussion on “LGBT free zones” and Bart's photographic project. Chaired by Kasia Kuchta.
​'Never Surrender'Documentary . Research . Activism
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A screening of 'Never Surrender' directed by M. Reza Shirazi followed by panel discussion around 'Documentary, Research, Activism'. The documentary is the result of more than two years of research and fieldwork in Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood, San Francisco. It narrates the community fight for environmental justice, and documents the conflict between people and government over the safety of the shipyard. University.
'We need you'A live podcast critiquing current popular narratives around propaganda.​Guest Dr Richard Carver
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​How does the distortion of story telling and news reporting affect our understanding and our world views. Inspired by the 'We Need You' series of podcasts we invite Dr Richard Carver, expert in human rights and freedom of speech to critique the short series. Topic include press, protest, deception and the awesome power of words. Discussion led by Lucie Dick and Victoria Greenwood. Listen to the series here.
Watch party - A selection of film shorts to challenge your perceptions around human rights ​
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Join us for the Oxford Human Rights Short Film Night that showcases some of the most dynamic and thought-provoking animations, shorts and documentaries that explore the theme of disruption. The films take us from a housing estate in Belfast, to the war-scarred architecture of urban Lebanon and the poorest neighbourhoods of Havana that resonate with the sound of the Cuban Rumba.
'Extraordinary Stories told by two extra-ordinary women' Covid-19 . NHS . Arts . Refugees
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​The Covid-19 pandemic has dramatically shifted our appreciation for the caring roles in our society. 'Clap for our carers' brought the nation together during the first wave of the pandemic. However, it seems that, as the pandemic has evolved, the struggles faced by 'key workers' have been hidden away from the public eye. This discussion brings together two women's voices with two different backgrounds in caring roles to discuss the unexpected challenges of a most unprecedented year. Disclaimer and notice: this discussion may include topics on violence and sexual assault. Picture by @matthewwaring
'The Covid-19 experience - capturing challenges, fears and gratitude with art'
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What is your story? With the stresses and challenges of the pandemic we have had to begin to think differently, use our resources in new ways and embrace technology. It’s been a challenging journey for us and we all have a story to tell. This art workshop will be led by Rana Ibrahim an Iraqi Collage Artist and the fonder of Iraqi Women Art and war (IWAW) www.iwaw19.com ​
TBC'Flip Side'Disrupting Perspectives on Africa
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Flipside is a podcast series dedicated to opening up conversations that offer a new perspective on the African continent. Each episode discusses a different topic related to people living in the African continent or are part of the diaspora. Join us for this event where we invite special guests to share their concerns and hopes for their nation.
'Is anybody listening?!'Students . Dorms . Lockdown . Freedom
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University students from the United Kingdom and around the world feel like they have been neglected. They have been locked into their accommodation in a new city with no gardens or means to exercise while they are expected to complete their degree to the same standard as years before. How is this fair? We are here to give them a voice! Students discuss and invite Anita H. Fábos, anthropologist and Professor of International Development, Community and Environment at Clark University to join.
'Love Child'
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Love Child offers a heart-breaking portrait of Leila and Sahand, an Iranian couple who are forced to flee for their lives from Tehran where their secret affair and illegitimate child are both considered crimes, punishable by death. Together with their four-year old son Mani they take refuge in Turkey with dreams of a new life, seeking asylum to either Canada or the US. Intimately filmed over a five-year period, so intimately you often forget this is a documentary, we follow their brave quest to be safe together as a family.
'Times of disruption, times of construction, voices from Lebanon: young people envisioning the future'
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Young Lebanese, Palestinians and Syrians join us from Lebanon to share their vision of the future and their aspirations in a country and a region marked by uncertainty due to multiple crises including the financial crisis, the recent blast, Covid-19 and the conflict in the neighbouring country of Syria. How do these young people plan their future in these disruptive times?
'Caste In India: Past, Present & Future'
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The Indian student activist Sankul Sonawane delivers this talk from India. What is the caste system in India and does it promote a fair and equal society today? The caste system in India is the world's oldest and longest surviving hierarchical structure of social stratification. it finds its origins in Hinduism, and has existed for over 2,000 years, and continues to survive and thrive in 21st century India.
April Events
ONLINE TBC Summer 2021​'Mayor'​ by David OsitDocumentary
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Mayor is a 2020 American documentary film produced and directed by David Osit.
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MAYOR is a real-life political saga following Musa Hadid, the Christian mayor of Ramallah, during his second term in office. His immediate goals: repave the sidewalks, attract more tourism, and plan the city's Christmas celebrations. His ultimate mission: to end the occupation of Palestine. Rich with detailed observation and a surprising amount of humor, MAYOR offers a portrait of dignity amidst the madness and absurdity of endless occupation while posing a question: how do you run a city when you don't have a country?
A must watch! Arabic/English subtitles. 89 mins
"This compelling fly-on-the-wall film follows the mayor of Ramallah as he deals with civic duty and Israeli oppression." The Guardian 10.01.21
December 2020
Orange The World - Elimination of Violence against Women
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As part of the UN Women International
Day for the Elimination of Violence
against Women 2020, Basma will lead an interactive session to challenge assump-
​tions and raise awareness around the facts of gender based violence. In collaboration with Basma El Doukhi.
​'FOR SAMA' & Q&A​with Afraa Hashem
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FOR SAMA is the winner of many awards including the BAFTA for Best Documentary 2020. Q&A with Afraa Hashem. 18 cert. In collaboration with Oxford Brookes Documentary Club and OxHRF.
'Can the UK lead on climate change?The CEE Bill and our future'
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Join the CEE Bill Alliance Oxfordshire as we celebrate our climate change achievements locally and in the UK and discuss how we can continue to have strong climate leadership into the future. In collaboration with CEE Bill Alliance Oxfordshire.