One World Festival, a global development, arts and culture festival, is set to go virtual this autumn, with a series of virtual talks/ lectures, music, film, drama, debate and storytelling.
The week long festival, which highlights issues affecting marginalised communities from across the globe, is running from 12 - 18 October. It includes a number of world UN days, highlighting issues such as climate change, modern slavery, gender equality, hunger and poverty.
The festival has been organised by the Coalition of Aid and Development Agencies (CADA NI) – made up of 19 overseas humanitarian charities in Northern Ireland – to explore global issues and inspire action locally towards a just, peaceful and sustainable world.
This years keynote address, in partnership with Ulster University, is on Climate Injustice: Transforming many small actions into a collective response .
This event will feature Dr Tara Shine, an expert in the field of climate change and climate justice, addressing the difficult truths about our impact on the plant and on each other.
The festival features events addressing race relations in Northern Ireland in the wake of Black Lives Matter the effect of Covid-19 on human rights, and the refugee crisis. These include a local short documentary Where is Belfast? following three people of colour living in NI and an event discussing Do Black Lives Matter in Belfast?, sharing the experience of young Africans who now call Belfast home.
Highlights also include Women Changemakers in conversation with Monica McWilliams; Taste the World offering stories and recipes to a soundtrack of great music; Storytelling events for young and old with Still I Rise, Liz Weir and more; a special morning art workshop with local artist Aly Harte ; a Global Yoga Practice with Yoga Quarter and Can’t Cook - Will Cook! an online cookery demonstration with Lisburn Foodbank.
Peter Anderson, Chairman of CADA NI , said: “When we began to plan One World Festival 2020 at the start of the year, little did we know we would be facing a global pandemic. Covid-19 really has changed the world forever, laying bare the inequalities faced by so many.
"For those of us who have never before experienced fear and uncertainty to this degree, it has been a rude awakening to the realities faced every day by millions across the globe.
"This year, One World Festival aims to bring people together at a time we are physically apart, to engage with our diverse communities here in Northern Ireland, but also with people around the world.
"We have made One World Festival 2020 a primarily virtual Festival, allowing everyone to take part safely. The virtual Festival also means we can increase engagement with diverse groups and people, including those from the Global South.”
Admission to most events are free. For more information and to reserve your tickets online visit the website.
