WITH unrest in Syria and Ukraine continuing to dominate the news agenda, there has never been a more appropriate time for the 12th annual Oxford Human Rights Arts Festival (February 24-28).

Open to all, the Oxford Brookes University festival is a unique opportunity to raise awareness of respecting and protecting human rights.

Having previously been in the audience, this year we have been in the fortunate position of being part of the team organising the festival.

We have arranged a week of entertainment in the form of poetry, theatre, film screenings and live music, all in the name of human rights.

Look out for the London Mayor’s poetry slam winner Antony Anaxgorou and George the Poet, fresh from appearances on national television, appearing, among others, at the Truck Store in Cowley Road.

We are also thrilled to have veteran comedian Ivor Dembina exploring his childhood and trips to Israel and the West Bank.

The film Miral is being shown in our glorious new lecture theatre in the John Henry Brookes Building and will, along with all our screenings across Oxford, be accompanied by a panel discussion.

At the Old Fire Station, Like Enemies of the State, a moving play based on the experiences of three African child soldiers, will also be a highpoint of the week.

One of the truly great things about the festival is that it continues to be run by students on Oxford Brookes’ award-winning Development and Emergency Practice (DEP) Master’s course.

Prior to starting at the university, students are aware of how inspirational the DEP course is.

Students from the course have gone on to work for leading international non-profit organisations, the UN, governments and the military – a really exciting prospect for future careers which make a real difference.

During the course, students are continually impressed by the international and wide-ranging experience of fellow members of the course.

Many have worked in conflicts and disasters across the world, and through our studies we’ve had an amazing insight into the complexities of working in this field. It’s really helping prepare us for a career working in disaster relief, like so many DEP graduates before us.

The festival has been one of the highlights of being at Oxford Brookes. It can bring people together and raise awareness of the abuses faced by millions of people around the world.

The festival represents something special. It gives us the opportunity to participate in bringing a message to others about how essential human rights are to our lives and how important it is we protect them.

The festival does this, spectacularly, through poetry, laughter and sometimes tears. By letting people know about what is going on in the world, it creates hope. What we learn here we can tell our friends, and they can tell theirs. If all of us do even a little, we can create real change.

For more information about the full programme, and how to reserve and buy tickets, visit the festival’s website at oxfordhumanrightsfestival.org

Martin Dolan is a Development and Emergency Practice student and Eva Tabbasam studies Law at Oxford Brookes University