Project Details
Description
This project, centres on Nepal's equine-owning and brick-making communities. It uses film-ethnography and participatory action-research to improve conditions for working mules.
In Nepal, like many countries around the world, animals are integral to the lives and livelihoods of so many people. Animals, such as mules, can live and work in mutually beneficial relationships with people, and there is a strong correlation between animal welfare and productivity. This impacts on development goals like enhancing sustainable income and poverty reduction. Yet animal welfare is seldom recognised by many INGO and local development initiatives.
The result of this project is Brick Mule, an award-winning ethnographic film that captures the lives of working mules and their handlers.
Through screenings of the film, followed by dialogue workshops, the project has achieved significant impact in various groups:
Equine-owning communities have developed new guiding principles, improving their attitudes and behaviour towards their equines, resulting in better equine welfare and sustainable community livelihoods.
Brick factory owners have improved working conditions for equines and handlers.
INGO (international non-governmental organisation) veterinary teams have enhanced their outreach and equine veterinary programmes.
Policy makers have introduced new guidelines and allocated financial resources towards equine welfare in brick factories.
Ethnographic filmmakers, social development practitioners, and academics have gained valuable insights into research methodologies through international screenings and workshops, contributing to academic knowledge.
Professor Brown's approach is influenced by the work of Brazilian educator Paulo Freire, whose critical-consciousness theory encourages people to reflect on and challenge the social and political factors affecting their lives.
In Nepal, like many countries around the world, animals are integral to the lives and livelihoods of so many people. Animals, such as mules, can live and work in mutually beneficial relationships with people, and there is a strong correlation between animal welfare and productivity. This impacts on development goals like enhancing sustainable income and poverty reduction. Yet animal welfare is seldom recognised by many INGO and local development initiatives.
The result of this project is Brick Mule, an award-winning ethnographic film that captures the lives of working mules and their handlers.
Through screenings of the film, followed by dialogue workshops, the project has achieved significant impact in various groups:
Equine-owning communities have developed new guiding principles, improving their attitudes and behaviour towards their equines, resulting in better equine welfare and sustainable community livelihoods.
Brick factory owners have improved working conditions for equines and handlers.
INGO (international non-governmental organisation) veterinary teams have enhanced their outreach and equine veterinary programmes.
Policy makers have introduced new guidelines and allocated financial resources towards equine welfare in brick factories.
Ethnographic filmmakers, social development practitioners, and academics have gained valuable insights into research methodologies through international screenings and workshops, contributing to academic knowledge.
Professor Brown's approach is influenced by the work of Brazilian educator Paulo Freire, whose critical-consciousness theory encourages people to reflect on and challenge the social and political factors affecting their lives.
Status | Active |
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Effective start/end date | 1/08/23 → … |