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Requiem for Justice 2024: A Confluence of Advocacy, Art, and Empowerment
The Requiem for Justice 2024, held from September 19 to 22 in Amsterdam, was an inspiring event where the worlds of art and advocacy converged to address global challenges in freedom of expression, cultural preservation, and justice. Organised by the Landscapes of Hope and Action for Hope networks, the event brought together 25 organisations and individuals from across the globe, creating a vibrant platform for exchange, collaboration, and solidarity.
The event opened with a network exchange, where participants showcased their initiatives, fostering discussions around intersectionality in marginalization. Organisations from regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East shared their approaches to combating economic disparity, gender inequality, racial discrimination, and the digital divide.
The Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) presented its programs, grassroot learning and case studies of digital development of India, highlighting its work in creating a national network of 24 organizations in India. DEF emphasised initiatives in cultural heritage preservation, language documentation, and digital empowerment. Notable mentions included DEF’s efforts in building a digital museum chronicling 22 years of grassroots digital development.
Other contributors included the Arab Digital Expression Foundation, Ambulante from Mexico, and Ettijahat, among others, who detailed their work in youth empowerment, documentary filmmaking, and supporting cultural practitioners.
The second day centered on panel discussions, addressing the role of civil society organisations in protecting freedom of expression. Moderated by Kristen van den Hul, sessions featured speakers such as Amr Abdulrahman, Dritero Kasapi, and Osama Manzar from DEF.
Osama highlighted the digital divide in India and shared success stories of digital inclusion and entrepreneurship. Participants collectively reflected on the rising challenges posed by authoritarianism, censorship, and limited access to digital tools, underlining the importance of creating secure spaces for civil society to thrive.
The day concluded with a screening of Mediterranean Fever, a Cannes Film Festival award-winning movie, showcasing how art and cinema can amplify pressing social issues.
The third day was dedicated to cultural exchange, as participants explored art as a medium of resistance and resilience. From panel discussions to live performances, the day celebrated the interconnectedness of global struggles. Musicians Nizar Rohana and Khorshid Dadbeh performed compositions blending Arabic and Persian traditions, fostering a dialogue between two rich cultural heritages. The collaborative project Ne3ma presented Sudanese revolutionary music, emphasising the shared histories of liberation struggles in Sudan and Palestine.
The final day was a reflective celebration of art and storytelling. Events like Stories of Thyme and Saffron combined cooking demonstrations with narratives of migration and resilience. Poets and performers from diverse backgrounds captivated audiences with themes of social justice, identity, and hope.
Key Takeaways and Commitments
The Requiem for Justice 2024 emphasised collective action, cultural expression, and the integration of digital tools in fostering justice and equity. DEF pledged to:
- Archive the event digitally to ensure its preservation and accessibility.
- Strengthen its Indian network by integrating more organizations using art for social change.
- Enhance collaboration through quarterly newsletters and shared progress updates across the global network.
The event concluded with a collective commitment to uphold freedom of expression, cultural diversity, and human rights.