The 18th Human Rights in Asia Conference - Film Screening

The screening will be followed by a student-led discussion on the ethics of AI training and the protection of indigenous knowledge.

This year’s theme, "Human Rights, Technology and Development", critically interrogates the "Connectivity Paradox" and the sharp tension between the promise of technological advancement and the reality of deepening inequalities, surveillance, and exclusion across Asia.

About the film

Join us!

Reserve your spot now and be part of the conversation!

• Register your spot via Eventbrite.
• Any questions - email hrinasia@essex.ac.uk

More about the 18th Conference

On the 7 and 14 March 2026, we are also holding day one and day two of the Conference at our Colchester campus.

This screening offers a cinematic exploration of our core themes, humanising the academic debates scheduled for Days 1 and 3:

• The "Connectivity Paradox": The film illustrates the tension between the digital revolution's promise of economic growth and the reality of deepening exclusion for those whose labor is commodified.
• The Digital Poverty Trap: Nehma’s journey highlights how a lack of institutional support and digital literacy can trap marginalised groups in roles that offer survival but little upward mobility.
• Gendered Impact of AI: By centering a female laborer, the film exposes the "Gender Digital Divide" and the specific ways algorithmic bias and tech-driven exploitation impact women in the Global South.
• Indigenous Knowledge vs. Data Surveillance: A central conflict in the film involves Nehma’s refusal to label certain insects as "pests" because they are vital to her ecosystem, perfectly mirroring our discussion on how Western-centric tech standards can infringe upon cultural and agrarian rights.