Welcome to the The 9th World Human Rights Cities Forum!
DAY 1 September 30, 2019 (Monday)
Welcome to the 9th World Human Rights Cities Forum! This international event has been held annually since May 2011 to uphold the spirits of the May 18th Democratic Uprising. Happening this year from September 30 to October 2 at the Kim Daejung Convention Center, we host more than 170 experts in human rights from more than 50 countries with more than 40 sessions. This year the Forum’s theme is “Local Governments and Human Rights: Reimagining the Human Rights Cities.”
Today's Sessions
Gwangju Human Rights Tour Venues: Chonnam National University, May 18 National Cemetery
Gwangju is known as a human rights city in Korea. The Forum's international guests were taken to a couple of venues across the city to recollect the spirit of the Gwangju people during the event.
Human Rights Paper Presentation Venue: KDJ Convention Center, 2F Room 211
Four researchers from India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka presented their ideas and research result regarding community sanitation, the role of local government and local community, a critical assessment about the development of Rights of The City, and a multi-stakeholder approach to implement human right cities.
Opening Ceremony Venue: KDJ Convention Center, 4F
Human rights experts from around the world meet in Gwangju! Guests were welcomed with opening remark by Gwangju mayor Lee Yong-sup and traditional dance and Korean folk songs from the Gwangju Changgeuk Academy.
Plenary Session 1 Venue: KDJ Convention Center, 4F
Plenary Session 1 handled the theme of “local governments and human rights” with the participation of representatives of major human rights cities worldwide with experiences of establishing human rights policies and designing human rights city.
Welcoming Dinner Venue: Gwangju City Hall
This event was held in a relaxing outdoor area of Gwangju City Hall. The guests were free to network and met many new faces. We will have two more days ahead of us. Stay tuned for tomorrow's update!
Featured Speaker
Peggy Hicks (U.S.A.)
Peggy Hicks has served as director of the Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division of the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR). She provides strategic direction to the UN Human Rights Office's work on a broad range of pressing human rights issues, including human rights in the digital age. She is one of the speakers at WHRCF Plenary Session on September 30.
