Reflecting on the Oxford Human Rights Festival I

The next two blog entries are reflections on the 15^th Oxford Human Rights Festival by two of the students who organized it in March. First, we hear from Aiysha Whitfield, a final year student on the BA in Film, Media and Communications.

Ken Loach with Dean Paul Inman and members of the student organizing committee. Aiysha Whitfield is fourth from the left.

The Oxford Human Rights Festival (OXHRF) was the best part of my final year experience. I didn’t really know what the Centre for Development and Emergency Practice (CENDEP) does but after having worked with their students on the festival now I do. I was extremely impressed with CENDEP’s unique and diverse range of studies, from disaster management to human rights. The CENDEP students’ work ethic behind the scenes of the festival motivated me to do my best.

As a film and media student, the festival gave me the opportunity to use the skills I have gained through the last three years of undergrad. The festival gave me the satisfaction of helping to promote a wider understanding of the state of human rights around the world, from homelessness in the UK to the refugee crisis.

The OXHRF experience has opened the door to many opportunities for me. Not only did it expose me to various causes and organisations but working on the Festival has improved my CV. I have been able to apply to a wide range of jobs because of the practical skills I learned throughout the six months of festival. As well as improving my CV, it also helped me get on the MA course in Media and Communications.

The festival has many perks. I was able to meet Ken Loach, a film legend, and spend some time talking to him about social issues and the film industry. I think it is important for me to say that if anybody wants great hands on experience with human rights then this is the festival for you. It does not matter what department you are from, everybody brings their own knowledge to the table. I just want to thank CENDEP and its students for giving me the opportunity to be a part of your festival and welcoming me onto the team.