2009 Grant for Democracy and Human Rights Projects in Asia - Call for Proposal

Announcement!

2009 Grant for Democracy and Human Rights Projects in Asia

Background

The May 18 Memorial Foundation is a non-profit organization established on August 30, 1994 by the 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 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights. The Culture and Solidarity Team is in charge of the Foundation's international solidarity work throughout Asia and implements this project.

Description

The 2009 Grant for Democracy and Human Rights Projects in Asia (GDHRPA) supports work that contributes to promoting Democracy and Human Rights and building of international solidarity. This grant shall be awarded to non-government organizations in Asia who continually play a significant role in strengthening people’s participation and empowerment in creating a civil society that respect human rights and protect democracy and peace and encourages international solidarity.

Funding scheme available: (US$ 1 = KRW 1,423.00, as of 24 October 2008)

Schemes	Description	Amount
Short-term grant	2 organizations will be supported for one year project	￦3,000,000

Interested applicants please check this link:

http://518.org/eng/html/main.html?act=dtl&TM18MF=05010000&idx=330&page=1&key=&keyword=

2008 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights - Nominate Now!

Few more days left to submit your nomination for the 2008 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights.

The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights was established to celebrate the spirit of May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising by recognizing both individuals, groups or institutions in Korea and abroad that have contributed in promoting and advancing human rights, democracy and peace in their work. The prize is awarded by the citizens of Gwangju in the spirit of solidarity and gratitude from those whom they have received help in their struggle for democratization. It is hoped that through this award the spirit and message of May 18 will be immortalized in the hearts and mind of humankind.


The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights which is given yearly has the following aims:


1). To enhance the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising by awarding individuals, groups or institutions in Korea and abroad on their contribution to improving human rights and peace throughout the world.


2). To reward individuals, groups and institutions in Korea and/or abroad for promoting the goals of the May 18 Democratic Uprising as a movement toward unification and cooperation.

Deadline for submission of application form is 30 March 2008.

Please download nomination form from this link:

http://eng.518.org/main.html?TM18MF=B04&bc_table=ENG_NOTICE&form_act=V&bnum=39&page=1

Sharmila has been released and her protest continues

We received an email from Mr. Kshetrimayum Onil, Coordinator of Reachout about this great news of the release of Ms. Irom Sharmila, 2007 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights awardee.


The struggle continue...

Repeal The Armed Forces Special Powers Act of 1958!


Read our statement here:
http://518interns.blogspot.com/2008/03/long-live-ms-irom-sharmila.html


From the email:

Today on the 7th March 2008 Irom Chanu Sharmila has been released from the security ward of J N Hospital, Imphal after she was produced before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal.


She has been in judicial custody since 6th March 2007 as she failed to furnish necessary bail bonds in spite of granting her bail. She has been accused under the sector 309 Indian Penal Code (IPC) charging her of attempting to commit suicide. Under 309 IPC the punishment is one year imprisonment. She has been release on completion of one year term by the government of Manipur. There is no ground for further detention under Section 436-A of Cr.P.C. accordingly she was released by the Court.


In may be noted that Irom Chanu Sharmila has been fasting since November 2000 in demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 which has been imposing in North East for the last 50 years -- arguably the longest ever draconian act imposed in any country in the world. Under this act the armed forces are given sweeping powers including the power to shoot to kill on mere suspicion and practically the perpetrator enjoy complete impunity for any act under the special Act. Understandably, not a single armed forces personal has indicted under the civilian law despite several proven cases. Notably in 2004 the chief minister of Manipur had admitted over 20,000 people had killed since 1972.


The Committee to Review the Armed Forces Special Powers Act set up by the Union Home Ministry of the Government of India have recommended repeal of the AFSPA, in its report submitted to the Government on June 2005.


The Second Administrative Reforms Commission set up by the President of India in its 5th report submitted to the Government of India on June 2007 has also recommended the repeal of the Act in its recommendation no. 8.4.17


UN Human Rights Committee, while discussing GOI's third periodic report under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) have described the imposition of AFSPA as using emergency power without resorting to the procedures prescribed in the Covenant.


UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination have urged the GoI in February 2007, to repeal the AFSPA with one year.


Similarly the UN Committee on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Committee on the Right of the Child have also condemned AFSPA.



When will GoI listen to the voice of sanity and repeal AFSPA. When will GoI allow the citizens of the Northeast to live like any other citizen of this great democracy? When will GoI learn to respect Gandhian principles in practice? When will we let Sharmila live a normal life?



From the desk of

Kshetrimayum Onil, Coordinator, Reachout
and
Basanta Kumar Wareppa, Program Executive, Human Rights Alert

Last Call

LAST CALL

Accepting Nominations for the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights 2008

Now, on its 8th year, the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights is now open for nomination. Since its inception, this prestigious award has been given to 9 individuals and a Korean organization. In 2006 and 2007 saw co-winners receiving the award. Among the winners include Xanana Gusmao (Timor Leste), Daw Aung San Suu Kyii ( Burma), Wardah Hafidz ( Indonesia), Malalai Joya (Afghanistan ) and Irom Sharmila (India).

For 2008, the prize at stake is US$ 50,000.00 , a gold medal and a certificate. The winner will be invited to grace the 2008 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Award Night on 18 May 2008 , in Gwangju, Republic of Korea. This yearly award is sponsored by the May 18 Memorial Foundation.

The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights was established to celebrate the spirit of May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising by recognizing both individuals, groups or institutions in Korea and abroad that have contributed in promoting and advancing human rights, democracy and peace in their work. The prize is awarded by the citizens of Gwangju in the spirit of solidarity and gratitude from those whom they have received help in their struggle for democratization. It is hoped that through this award the spirit and message of May 18 will be immortalized in the hearts and mind of humankind.

The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights which is given yearly has the following aims:
1). To enhance the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising by awarding individuals, groups or institutions in Korea and abroad on their contribution to improving human rights and peace throughout the world.
2). To reward individuals, groups and institutions in Korea and/or abroad for promoting the goals of the May 18 Democratic Uprising as a movement toward unification and cooperation.

Deadline for submission of application form is 30 March 2008. Please visit our website ( 518.org ) and blogsites(518solidarity.blogspot.com and themay18.wordpress.com )for other related information.


Please download the form from these links:
http://eng.518.org/main.html?TM18MF=B04&bc_table=ENG_NOTICE&form_act=V&bnum=39&page=1

http://themay18.wordpress.com/2007/12/27/accepting-nomination/

Call for Application - 2008 International Internship Program

Dear friends and partners:

Greetings! Please find below our call for application for the 2008 International Internship Program. Please help us disseminate the information.

Thank you and good wishes,
International Cooperation Team
518interns@gmail.com


CALL FOR APPLICATION
THE MAY 18 MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The May 18 Memorial Foundation was founded by Gwangju citizens, sympathetic overseas Koreans, and from individuals who sacrificed and got indemnification from the government. It was created on August 30, 1994 by people who believe it’s important to keep the ideas and memories of the 1980 May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising alive and remembered.

The International Internship Program on Human Rights is a program of the Foundation created to contribute in the development of democracy and human rights throughout Asia. It is also an opportunity for interns to learn 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: 1) To improve international solidarity and networking and 2) To promote Gwangju as Asia’s Hub for Human Rights Movement.

The Foundation is looking for two interns who will serve for 10 months from March-December 2008. Applicants female or male should not be more than 25 years of age, with a minimum of 3 years NGO or social development work experience on the issues of human rights, democracy and peace. Must be proficient in English and working knowledge of Korean is an advantage. Must be computer literate (email/internet, blog/web page, lay-out/design, etc).

Living allowance will be provided to successful interns. Housing will be provided for free but utilities (telephone/internet, electricity, and gas) will be paid for by interns. The Foundation will pay for the round trip airfare of interns.

Please download the application form if you are interested to apply from any of these links/sites:

http://eng.518.org/main.html?TM18MF=B04&bc_table=ENG_NOTICE&form_act=V&bnum=38&page=1



http://themay18.wordpress.com/2007/12/18/call-for-application-2008-international-internship-program/

Deadline of application is on 15 January 2008. Short listed applicants will be emailed for an online/webcam interview through Skype or Yahoo messenger.

Visit our blogsite archive to learn more about the internship program – 518interns.blogspot.com