Weeklong Festival Celebrates Human Rights

By: Jessica Silber

Posted: 4/9/07

When members attended the first Idealists United meeting at its start in September of 2006, no one had any idea of what would arise from that meeting. Founded by Mike Brand, an 8th-semester history and political science major, the human rights group immediately began throwing out ideas for what they called "street-team level activism." The result of those original ideas is the Human Rights Awareness Festival, a week of activities taking place on campus from April 9 to April 14.

Originally planned to take place last semester, by January the proposed festival still didn't have permission, a location, or funding. In what John Corkery, an 8th-semester biophysics major and festival coordinator, described as "a major headache," the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) originally decided to claim insufficient funds and nix the festival.

"But there was one person at that meeting who stood up and defended us, saying that this wasn't giving out $10,000 to a few select kids to go to a conference - it was something the whole campus could enjoy," Corkey said.

With these obstacles overcome, the Human Rights Awareness Festival surged forward. It will be the first such event on the UConn campus and is entirely student-run.

"UConn is a pretty big human rights school. We have UNESCO and the Human Rights Institute right here, but the majority of students don't even know these things exist," said Brand, president of Idealists United.

With that in mind, the purpose of the festival is "To Inspire, Motivate, Educate and Create an Active Social Movement at UConn," according to promotional posters.

In order to achieve this, events kick off today at the Konover Auditorium at the Dodd Center, with the screening of human rights film series "Promises," "Ghosts of Rwanda," and "Invisible Children" at 1, 4 and 7 p.m., respectively. "Ghosts of Rwanda" will be followed by a panel discussion about the Darfur genocide, and at 5 p.m. St. Thomas Aquinas will host a Hunger Banquet.

On Tuesday, the action can be found at the Café Under Putnam beginning at 7 p.m. in the form of a Fair Trade Coffee Night. Attendees can sit back, sip their Fair Trade coffee and munch on their Fair Trade chocolate while listening and participating in an open mic evening where thoughts on human rights will be expressed through poetry, music, and discussion.

Wednesday features another screening of films at the Konover Auditorium, this time "No Logo" at 1 PM followed by a panel no activism featuring local activists, and a screening of "A Closer Walk" at 7 p.m.

Hillel will host a "No Sweat Fashion Show" on Thursday at 7 p.m. According to its Facebook event Web site, "This fun, social event aims to show that your shopping choices can make a difference!" UConn student models will strut down the catwalk sporting clothing not made in sweatshops. A $2.00 ticket can be purchased for a chance to win a Fair Trade clothing item.

The week draws to a close Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. with a festival that would win approval from the Woodstock generation. In rain or shine on Fairfield Way, huge tents will house student organizations, vendors, and charities: Crea, a labor rights organization based in Hartford, and Save the Children, an international organization for children's rights, will be represented. But the highlight will be the music festival, featuring an extensive list of bands based on campus, UConn performance groups, and professional touring acts.

"Speakers are important, films are important, but the music is what draws people in," Corkery explained. "We're not forcing opinions on anyone, and nobody will be preaching. Human rights goes beyond politics; hopefully, this event will lead to other schools getting excited about it."

In fact, Corkery plans to take the festival on the road to tour other campuses. Brand agrees that the potential of the festival should be far-reaching.

"The ultimate goal is to have this be a standing thing, every year," Brand said.

Whatever its future, the Human Rights Awareness Festival's journey begins at UCONN on Monday, April 9th.