Awarding Ceremony of Gwangju Prize for Human Rights 2006, 28 May 2006.

WOMEN ACTIVISTS TO RECEIVE 2006 GWANGJU HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD

WOMEN ACTIVISTS TO RECEIVE 2006 GWANGJU HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD

Two women activists shall receive this year’s Gwangju Prize for Human Rights. Malalai Joya is a 28-year old Afghan activist and parliamentarian who rose to fame when, as an elected delegate to the Constitutional Loya Jirga, she spoke out publicly against the domination of warlord. Since then she has survived four assassination attempts. Malalai Joya’s work as an activist began at age fourteen in her hometown Farah where she set up an NGO to respond to the needs of women neglected and oppressed under Taliban control. Angkhana Neelaphaijit is the wife of Somchai Neelapajit, a prominent lawyer and human rights defender in Thailand who disappeared in 2004. Since then, Angkhana has been unrelenting in her efforts to obtain justice, unsparing in her criticism of government authorities, and has taken the lead role as an articulate and courageous spokesperson for the families of disappeared persons in Thailand.
Seoul, April 28, 2006 – Two women activists shall receive this year’s Gwangju Prize for Human Rights. They are Malalai Joya from Afghanistan and Angkhana Neelaphaijit from Thailand.
Malalai Joya is a 27 year old Member of the Afghan Parliament. She was elected to the 249-seat National Assembly, or Wolesi Jirga in September 2005, as a representative of Farah Province. Malalai won the second highest number of votes in the province.
Malalai Joya rose to fame in December 2003 when, as an elected delegate to the Constitutional Loya Jirga, she spoke out publicly against the domination of warlords. Since then she has survived four assassination attempts, and travels in Afghanistan under a burqa and with armed guards.
She is the daughter of a former medical student who was wounded while fighting against the Soviet Union (which invaded and occupied Afganistan from 1979 - 1989). Malalai was 4 years old when her family fled Afghanistan in 1982 to the refugee camps of Iran and then Pakistan. She finished her education in Pakistan and began teaching literacy courses to other women at age 19. After the Soviets left, Malalai Joya returned to Afghanistan in 1998 during the Taliban's reign. During that time she established an orphanage and health clinic, and was soon a vocal opponent of the Taliban.
Malalai Joya heads the non-governmental group, "Organisation of Promoting Afghan Women's Capabilities" (OPAWC). She is married to a Kabul-based student of agriculture and has six sisters and three brothers.
Angkhana Neelaphaijit is the wife of Thai human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit, who was abducted by the police on 12 March 2004. At the time, Somchai was defending clients who had accused the police of torture. His body has never been found. Angkhana has been at the forefront of the campaign to get justice for his disappearance. In January 2006, one police officer was sentenced to three years in jail, but his accomplices and the masterminds of the crime have never been identified. She has received death threats because of her continued work. She has met UN officials both in Thailand and abroad to pursue the case. On International Women's Day 2006 she was given an award by the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand as an "outstanding woman human rights defender". On 11 March 2006 she received the 2nd Asian Human Rights Defender Award of the AHRC on behalf of her husband, which was also given in recognition of her own work since his disappearance two years ago. Angkhana is now an inspiration to large numbers of people in Thailand, as well as internationally. She is supported in her work by her five children.

The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights is an award given to individuals, groups or institutions in Korea and abroad that have contributed in promoting and advancing human rights, democracy and peace in their work. The award is given by the Gwangju people in the spirit of solidarity and gratitude from those whom they have received help in their struggle for democratization and search for truth. Previous winners have included: Xanana Gusmao (2000); : Basil Fernando(2001); Korean Association of bereaved families for democracy (2002): Dandeniya Gamage Jayanthi or Monument for the disappeared·Sri Lanka (2003): Aung San Suu Kyi(2004); and Ms. Wardah Hafidz (2005).

This year’s search received nominees from ten countries. It’s the first time for two winners to share the award. Five of the eight awardees of the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Award since 2000 were women.
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For additional information, contact Mr. Chris Kim, Staff Charge for International Solidarity through contact numbers (+82) 010-4642-6650 and (+82)010-800-8052.




The May 18 Memorial Foundation is a non-profit organization established on August 30, 1994. It was organized by surviving victims of the 1980 Gwangju Democratic Uprising, the victims' families, and the citizens of Gwangju. The Foundation aims to commemorate and continue the spirit of struggle and solidarity of the May 18 Uprising, contribute to the peaceful reunification of Korea, and work towards peace and human rights throughout the world. Since its establishment, the Foundation has carried out numerous projects in varying fields, including organizing memorial events, establishing scholarships, fostering research, disseminating public information, publishing relevant materials, dispensing charity and welfare benefits, building international solidarity, and awarding the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights.

The Foundation gets funding from Gwangju citizens, sympathetic overseas Koreans, and from individuals who made sacrifice in the uprising and got indemnification from the government. It is being sustained by people who believe it's important to keep the ideas and memories of the 1980 May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising alive and remembered.

Gwangju International Peace Camp 2006

(Note: This is the working/tentative design and program that is still being updated by The May 18 Memorial Foundation Working Committee)

Conflict and Peace Making by NGOs
May 16-18, 2006, 518 Cultural Hall, Gwangju City, Republic of Korea

A. PROGRAM : Sharing Experience form Each Country

OBJECTIVE
To get a sufficient understanding of conflict situation in each country and peace process that has been made there.

MECHANISM

In this section, each country representatives (2 persons per country) will present the factual situation in their own country. The presentation should be based on the paper they made (which followed the guidance from the organizer). Thus, their main role is to share the FACTS in their own country.
Each country has 20’ to deliver the presentation (10’ per person)

An expert will give a comment on the presentation of each country’s representatives. The expert will help the forum to link up all those different facts in each country into a systematic way of thinking.
The expert has 15’ to give a comment.

Thereafter, an open forum will be started. It will let the audience make some clarifications from the speakers and the expert in order to have a sufficient understanding.
Time remaining for the open forum is 1:15’ (until lunch time)

A moderator will guide the flow the forum and keep it in its track. The focus of this session is FACTS in each case.

OUTPUT
Factual description of conflict and peace process in each country of:
1. East Timor
2. Aceh
3. Sri Lanka
4. Thailand
5. Philippines
6. Nepal

B. PROGRAM: Discussion on the Different Experiences of Conflict and Peace Process

OBJECTIVE
To elaborate the pattern of conflict and effective method of peacemaking, considering the different situation/ stages in each country.


MECHANISM
Two experts appear in the previous session will be the panelists in this session. They will present the paper the made, as it is requested earlier by the organizer.
Each expert has 15’ to deliver the presentation.

Thereafter, an open forum will be started. The experts will act as resource persons to help the forum to elaborate the different stage of conflict, various methods of peacemaking and how to deal with it. Finally it will lead to the role of NGOs in dealing with those issues.
Time remaining for the open forum is 2 hours (until dinner time)

A moderator will guide the flow the forum and keep it in its track. The focus of this session is CONCEPT of CONFLICT and PEACE PROCESS; and ROLE of NGOs

OUTPUT
Sufficient understanding of different kinds of conflict and various methods of peacemaking.

Common understanding of the role of NGOs in such situation.

C. PROGRAM: Plenary Session

OBJECTIVE
To elaborate the role of NGOs in supporting and accelerating successful peace process.

MECHANISM
Based on the factual situation discussed earlier, the participants will discuss their role as the actors involved in the conflict and peace process and explore the possibility to have a common statement or agenda/united action.

The participants will formulate a common resolution to be declared.

Participants will point one of them to guide the flow of the discussion (acted as a moderator).

Time allocated to discuss this matter is 3 hours (until lunch time)

OUTPUT
The forum comes up with a declaration.
The declaration should include:
- statement on the origin of conflict
- statement on peace
statement on NGOs’ role in supporting and accelerating peace process.

D. PROGRAM: Keynote Speech
OBJECTIVE
To give a review of the matters have been discussed with its result and a closing remarks of the event.

MECHANISM
A Korean public figure who is working on conflict and peace issue will deliver a speech. He will talk about the issue in Asia and South Korea as well.

OUTPUT
Speech


E. PROGRAM: Declaration

OBJECTIVE
To announce to the public the result of the peace camp.

MECHANISM
Press conference.

OUTPUT
Media coverage


PROGRAM DESIGN

CALL for Application for Gwangju Asian Human Rights Folk School 2006

Gwangju Asian Human Rights Folk School aims to contribute to the development of democracy and human rights throughout Asia. Twenty (20) invitees from all over Asia and five (5) local Koreans who have been working for human rights and peace organizations in their own countries shall be given an opportunity to learn and experience the history and process of the development of human rights and democracy in South Korea.

Participants will be introduced to Korean history, the movements and struggle for democracy, including the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, both through theoretical and practical experiences such as seminars, discussions and field trips to the sites of democratization movements in Korea.

Basic Criteria

1) Applicant must not be more than 35 years of age occupying a mid-level position.

2) Must have more than 3 years NGO work experience (human rights, democracy and/or peace organizations).

3) Facilities for English language (Korean an advantage) and demonstrate capacity for active participation in discussions and cultural events.

4) Application is endorsed by his/her organization.

5) Must be sensitive to cultural conditions and traditions of Korea/Koreans and co-participants.


Application and Process of the Gwangju Asian Human Rights Folk School

1. Announcement and application forms will be released on February 2006 and the deadline for application will be on May 31, 2006. The final list of folk school participants will be announced on the month of August.

2. The folk school will be conducted for three weeks from September 4-22, 2006.

3. Applicants should fill-out the application form properly and submit via email to the foundation.

4. The May 18 Memorial Foundation - Education Committee, (composed of individuals from different organizations) is in-charge of selecting the final list of participants after a careful evaluation and assessment of applicants.

5. Guidelines of the Gwangju Asian Human Rights Folk School will be given to successful applicants.

Important Dates:

1. Period of event: September 4-22, 2006

2. Application deadline: May 31, 2006

Please download and fill out the application form found at the bottom of this article and email it to us: 518folkschool@gmail.com or may18found@gmail.com.

For information on the past folk schools visit: http://518folkschool.blogspot.com

The International Internship Programme on Human Rights

The International Internship Programme will strive to contribute to the development of democracy and human rights throughout Asia by recruiting four interns from all over the world, who have been working for human rights and peace organizations in their own countries, and by giving them a chance to learn about and experience the history and process of the development of human rights and democracy in South Korea. Specifically the purpose and aim of the program are the following:

a. To improve International Solidarity
b. To promote Gwangju as Asia’s Hub for Human Rights Movement

Activities of the International Internship Programme 2006

The International Internship Program will introduce the interns to Korean history in general and in particular to the movements and struggle for democracy, including the 1980 Gwangju Democratic Uprising. Both theoretical learning and practical experiences such as lectures, seminars, discussions, interviews and fieldtrips to the sites of democratization movements in Korea will be utilized.

The International Internship Programme will also require its interns to submit reports concerning the human rights situation in their home countries, as well as on the interns own experiences and work. These reports will be included in the "Reports on Human Rights of the Year" as a part of the rapidly expanding database for use by various human rights organizations inside and outside the Republic of Korea.

The interns will be assigned to the International Cooperation Team. They are expected to work as regular staff attending to day-to-day office business. The interns will help the preparatory work and implementation of different events; make presentations to schools when invited; and perform other tasks the Department will assign them to undertake.

Each intern will be asked to select a research topic, conduct the relevant research, and deliver a presentation at the end of their internship program.



For more information regarding the internship program please visit this link
518interns.blogspot.com

The May 18 Memorial Foundation Revs up International Solidarity Program

Recognizing the magnitude of globalization and the overarching influence of information and communications technology, international solidarity gets highlighted as response to these global phenomena. International solidarity is one of the core tasks identified by The May 18 Memorial Foundation. It envisions an international solidarity with other countries and organizations based on common goals and mutual interests of promoting the spirit of May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising; advocating for human rights; and protecting the gains of peace and democracy.

The International Solidarity Program focuses on partnership, participation, exchange and networking with civil society groups of Asia and the rest of the world. Particularly it will conduct: 1) regular exchange of experience and expertise with government, human rights institutions, democracy, peace and other civil society groups in Asia; 2) establish a proactive mechanism for collective action and coordination (education, campaign, and programs for social dialogues and action and address equity issues like gender equality and equal participation); 3) conduct activities and hosts forums that introduces international issues and participate in international conferences and gatherings abroad; 4) build bridges of communications among the civil society of Asia and the rest of the globe through the internet and publication of journals, newsletters, brochures and books both in Korean and English; and 5) facilitate the exchange of experiences and technology (expertise, know-how and human resources) that goes beyond simple financial support.

Since 2000, the foundation has been awarding the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights, sending its volunteers abroad for internship, providing support for non-government organizations, conducting the Gwangju International Peace Camps, and introducing Korean Democracy especially to Korean youth born abroad.

In 2005, the foundation added new activities such as the International Internship Program on Human Rights, where human rights activist are invited to learn the history and experience of Korean democratization and help promote International Solidarity; Asian Partners Study Visit and Exchange, committee members and officers of the foundation visit and learn from its partner organizations; and the Gwangju Forum for Asian Human Rights, that endeavors to dialogue and forge solidarity between and among public officials of National Human Rights institutions, human rights activists of Non-government Organizations (NGOs), academe and other civil society groups.

For this year, these activities will be continued, according to General Affairs Director Chanho Kim. He believes that through The May 18 - International Solidarity Program the spirit of May 18 will be promoted and Gwangju's role and contribution to international peace, human rights and democracy will be highlighted. He invites individuals, journalists, civil society groups and organizations to join and support the foundation in commemorating and celebrating these programs and activities. Mr. Kim added that detailed information about these activities can be downloaded from the English section of their website at www.518.org.

May 18 Memorial Foundation

The May 18 Memorial Foundation is a non-profit organization established on August 30, 1994. It was organized by surviving victims of the 1980 Gwangju Democratic Uprising, the victims' families, and the citizens of Gwangju. The Foundation aims to commemorate and continue the spirit of struggle and solidarity of the May 18 Uprising, contribute to the peaceful reunification of Korea, and work towards peace and human rights throughout the world. Since its establishment, the Foundation has carried out numerous projects in varying fields, including organizing memorial events, establishing scholarships, fostering research, disseminating public information, publishing relevant materials, dispensing charity and welfare benefits, building international solidarity, and awarding the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights.

The Foundation gets funding from Gwangju citizens, sympathetic overseas Koreans, and from individuals who made sacrifice in the uprising and got indemnification from the government. It is being sustained by people who believe it's important to keep the ideas and memories of the 1980 May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising alive and remembered.

Please visit this site for more information Korean version - http://518.org
An English version is available at this link - http://518.org/english/

Message from the President

Glad to see you, Ladies and Gentlemen who love the month, May.
The value and the meaning of the May 18 Democratic Uprising has been taking a important position due to your interest and expectation. May 18 Memorial Foundation and all families related to May would like to appreciate everybody.

We will have 10th anniversary in the coming Aug. this year(2004), which means the valuable moment of Foundation. We will make an effort to proceed our memorial project well. May 18 has been changed from violent riot to Gwangju uprising, and then to Gwangju Democratic Uprising. Therefore, we are at the critical turning point.

The reason for the standout of May 18 when Korean democracy faces the hard time makes us think of once more. Because it was the lofty democratic uprising to take the human being's general worth such as human rights, democracy, and unification.

We have an historical mission of commemorating and succeeding the May 18 Democratic Uprising. Nationwide and worldwide effort based on harmonized organization should be continued. It is true we have achieved 5th compensation for national meritorious people, a meaningful result, although it has been 10 years and suffering from difficulties since last '94. It is because of many people who have been leading the foundation from the beginning.

I would like to give my thank and respect to all people to have been struggling and striving, and to follow their track for making the foundation stand at first throughout the world.

May 18 is not only for Gwangju citizen commemorating it, but for every Korean. It would be a main role to bring the unification. It is the time for everybody to be with May 18.

Please give me many concern and support, which spur me on everybody's wishes.


source : http://518.org/english/