INTERNATIONAL WEEK OF JUSTICE FESTIVAL 2008
“Voices of Dignity”

2008 marks the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To commemorate this event, Amnesty International India plans to organize an International Week of Justice Festival from 13-19 January 2008 having as its main theme Voices of Dignity. In keeping with Amnesty International’s long tradition of activism powered by artists, the Festival invites and involves youth competitions and solidarity performances by unique artists, performers, film makers, theatre and music directors and other cultural groups from different parts of the country and abroad to strengthen the cause of human rights. The Festival is being planned from January 13-19 2008 at Siri Fort, New Delhi and will showcase the efforts of youth as well as the generosity of artists as integral to the development of human rights.

The International Week of Justice Festival is an attempt by Amnesty International India to build youth commitment for a culture of human rights and non-violence by combining performative arts, education and entertainment, and thereby, to protect and promote the ideals of the UDHR. To herald the 60th anniversary of the UDHR, Amnesty International India has already launched a Campus Caravan, themed as Kahani Kabuliwalleh Ki, on 21st September 2007 at the Rendezvous Festival of Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi. The Amnesty Caravan, Kabulliwallah Express, is a curtain raiser to the Festival and was inaugurated by Prof. Syed Shahid Mahdi, Vice-President, Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Former Vice-Chancellor Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi and Artist Activist, Nandita Das.

The Caravan got an overwhelming response at Jawaharlal Nehru University on October 10 and 11, 2007. Amnesty International India hosted a talk on Media and Ethics: Reimagining the Fourth Estate. Veteran Journalist Saeed Naqvi, Associate editor of Tehelka Sankarsen Thakur and AII Director Mukul Sharma expressed their views on the same.

The Caravan goes with a Street Play, a Photo-Exhibition, Literature Stall, Films, Talks, Signature Campaigns and Competition Events/Entries on Music, Theatre, Television Scripts, Short Film, Photography and Painting for the International Week of Justice. The Caravan also invites entries for an Educational Module on Media and Justice intended for February 2008.

The International Week of Justice Festival will build awareness on substantive dignity related issues such as Human Security, Right to Life, Poverty and Health, Borders, Discrimination and Violence, Displacement, Death Penalty, Disappearance, Prison Stories, and Fundamentalisms, Conflict and Peace Building. The Festival will feature student and non-student youth competition entries/performances on the above themes in the categories of Music, Theatre, Television Scripts, Short Film, Photography and Painting.

To participate at the INTERNATIONAL WEEK OF JUSTICE FESTIVAL 2008, click on the links for various competitions and send in your entries to :
Amnesty International India
C 1/22, First Floor
Safdarjung Development Area
Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
Tel: 011-41642501, 2685473 (Ext. 20)
Website: www.amnesty.org.in
Email: carafest@amnesty.org.in