Identity - Oxford Human Rights Festival 2018

The 16th Oxford Human Rights Festival begins on 12 March, with the theme of Identity. We talked to one of the organizing committee, DEP student Miriam Slaymaker, to find out more about this year's theme and what it is like to be involved with the festival.

Why are you interested in the festival?

I am interested in the festival since it allows me, as part of the committee, to emphasize the relationship between the citizens and the power a government has over them.  Overuse and misuse of well-meant powers granted or given to a government by itself can result in the reduction or inhibition of the rights of all humans affected by it.

What do human rights and identity mean to you?

Human rights and personal identity is incredibly important. One's right to a personal identity begins with the right to life. We know that it is only through existing that one can cultivate their personal identity. Identity is a part of your right to how you differentiate and are differentiated from other individuals with their own identities among the masses of humanity.  

What does it have to do with DEP?

This festival is intertwined with my master's course 'Development and Emergency Practice', in particular this year's theme because it is about identity - what we have learnt is that forced migrants, internally displaced people, environmental migrants and trafficked people can be left in a liminal phase. A liminal phase can not only affect an individual's attitude and perception of their own identity but also the host nation's perception of them.

Your favourite bits?

I have enjoyed being behind the scenes, seeing how committee members communicate and work together to produce such a powerful week full of information, performances and speakers.

What it is like behind the scenes?

Behind the scenes, preparing for this event, was a lot of work of various kinds - not physically stressing, but mentally.  For me, it was continual phone calls and a lot of leg work; many, many, rejections, or just being ignored and not responded to while trying to contact someone.  While supporting, promoting, and trying to source funding for this festival, in the midst of pursuing my degree, it was difficult to find time for a semblance of a personal life. But I know that it is for a worthy cause and that I would regret not being a part of it more so than anything else.