Housing and food justice, alongside the complexities of the ongoing strife in Gaza and Israel, will be explored at the Oxford Human Rights Festival 2024.

In its 22nd year, the festival, organised by the Centre for Development and Emergency Practice at Oxford Brookes University's School of Architecture, will run from March 15 to 22 under the theme, ‘Break Barriers, Build Bridges'.

Festival director Dr Supriya Akerkar said: "In the current world where humanity is often divided by divisive politics mobilised through identities defined through race, religion and geographical borders, it is more important than ever that we affirm our common humanity and the universal human rights of all people.

"The festival invites all of us to join and harbour generosity of spirit as individuals and as a collective by crossing boundaries of divisiveness and hostility, wherever and whenever we encounter them."

The week-long festival will start with architectural designer, Olwethu Nkala Jack, discussing his journey of fostering positive change in communities and challenging spatial injustices in South Africa.

There will be various film screenings throughout the week, including the Oscar-winning documentary ‘20 Days in Mariupol,’ a tale of Ukrainian journalists trapped during the Russian invasion, on March 18.

On March 21, visitors can watch Ken Loach's ‘The Old Oak’, an account of a mining community's struggles when Syrian refugees arrive, triggering tensions yet forging unexpected bonds.

The festival will also offer the opportunity to support sustainable fashion at the 'Threads of Change: A Fashion Swap for Human Rights', on March 19.

Oxford Mutual Aid will lead conversations on food as a basic human right, discussing critical steps needed to eradicate food injustice.

In another seminar, Oxford Against Cutting will delve into harmful practices like Female Genital Mutilation and forced marriage, highlighting the community pressures and feelings of shame that burden girls and women.

On the final day of the festival, March 22, a session entitled ‘What do Human Rights mean to you?' aims to bring together creative contributions from the Oxford community.

Dr Akerkar said: "This showcase provides an opportunity to bring together the views of our community, hear from some of the contributors and reflect on the festival’s themes.

"It will help round-off what we hope will be an inspiring festival of practical sessions, seminars, film screenings and much more, enabling all participants to reflect more deeply on the theme of human rights."

The organisers invite those interested to find more information and book tickets at The Oxford Human Rights Festival website or check out the complete festival programme.