UOWD Media Students Secure Second Place in Global Tolerance Competition

Monday, 29 April, 2024

A group of UOWD students enrolled in the Bachelor of Communication and Media degree recently have been awarded the second place in the 'Building Bridges of Coexistence' competition. The competition, organised by The Manara Center in Abu Dhabi and EdVenture Partners, aimed to encourage teams from different regions to create media projects that creatively explore issues of tolerance and coexistence.

The Manara Center's mission is to promote societal tolerance and understanding by challenging and reducing biases and intolerance. The centre aims to achieve this by encouraging young people to create educational and engaging media that fosters a proactive approach to building coexistence and understanding across diverse communities.

The students' project, 'Rufescent', was a standout entry in the competition. It consisted of a three-part graphic novel and a series of animated videos that focused on the impact of stereotypes on marginalised communities during and after conflicts. The narrative of the novel and videos delved into the lives of characters who represent these communities, showing the direct consequences of such prejudices on their lives and well-being.

The team consisted of the following students:

• Nauren Asif - Project Lead
• Jeremyn Prince - Budget Manager/Researcher
• Luis Enriquez - Lead Artist & Designer
• Alanna John - Researcher
• Rena Uthamman - Co-Lead Artist & Designer
• Shree Aishwarya Suva Kumar - Lead Researcher
• Laasya Kocherlakota - Co-Lead Researcher & Designer

Their research process included analysing diverse news articles, engaging with social media content, and reviewing academic journals to build a comprehensive understanding of how stereotypes are perpetuated in media and society.

The novel and video not only serve as educational tools but also as catalysts for discussion, urging readers and viewers to reconsider and challenge their own perceptions. The project's ability to articulate the nuances of stereotypes and their impact earned the team a well-deserved $3,000 prize.

Congratulations to the UOWD Media students involved in this impactful project!