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