[WHRCF 2025 ] Newsletter Vol.5

2025. 7. 30.

2025. 7. 31. Vol. 5

From May 15 to 17, the World Human Rights Cities Forum 2025 was held under the theme “Peace and Solidarity: Human Rights Cities Acting for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding”, We are delighted to share with you the second part of the Forum’s many meaningful moments.

Photos capturing the vibrant scenes of the World Human Rights Cities Forum 2025 are now available. Take a closer look at some of the Forum’s most memorable moments you won’t want to miss.

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Special Session:

Advancing Global Solidarity for Human Rights Cities

UNESCO APCAD

Inclusive Cities
in the Asia Pacific Region

Member cities of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Coalition of Cities against Discrimination shared knowledge and best practices to promote peace, inclusion, solidarity, and human rights at the local level. The session also served as an opportunity to encourage the cities in the Asia-Pacific region to join the Coalition and to strengthen mutual cooperation.

Human Rights Paper Session

Peace and Solidarity:
the Role of Human Rights Cities in
Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding

Human Rights Paper Session brought students, researchers, activists, and practitioners together to share their insights on how to promote human rights cities. Drawing on their research findings, participants explored diverse strategies to address discrimination and conflict, and to advance human rights and peace.

Cities Against Violence

Through case studies of how cities respond to various forms of violence, participants examined how historical experiences shape democratic movements and inclusive societies. The discussion also reaffirmed the essential role of local governments in promoting peace and security.

Special Lecture for International
Human Rights Training

The Special Lecture on International Human Rights Training was a dedicated educational program for public officials from local governments across Asia. It focused on how Gwangju’s historical experiences, including the May 18 Democratization Movement have shaped the city’s identity, while highlighting the vital role of local governments in advancing human rights.

Solidarity Among Human Rights Activists

〈Human Rights Activists Workshop〉

Human Rights Activists Workshop

Human Rights Cities’

Human Rights Protection System

Proposed by Activists

Human rights Activists from across the country gathered to discuss the direction of the human rights movement and to explore concrete ways to strengthen solidarity.

Special Events

A Conversation

with Cha Inpyo

If One Day We Look

at the Same Star

A reflective moment on forgiveness and reconciliation unfolded with actor and author Cha In-pyo, whose book If One Day We Look at the Same Star is included in the required reading list at the University of Oxford.

Cine Talk

Director Lee Kyoungho, Alone

Following the screening of the human rights film Alone, a conversation was held with the director. Centered on the theme of independent living for persons with disabilities, the discussion offered fresh perspectives on disability rights through the lens of the director’s creative vision.

Plant Based Cooking Class

Bring Peace to Your Table

A one-day workshop on plant-based living, led by Lee Young-mi, author of Peaceful Table. The class began with an introduction to the principles of a plant-based diet, followed by a hands-on activity where participants learned how to make Brown Rice Plant-Based Flower Kimbap.