Gwangju Shares Its Human Rights Policy Experience with the World

City Dispatches Delegation to United Nations International Human Rights Conference in Switzerland
Gwangju-style Integrated Care Policy Recognized for Realizing 'UN Values'

On the 22nd (local time), Gwangju City officially dispatched a delegation to the International Human Rights Conference held at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland, sharing its human rights city policy experience with local governments and international organizations worldwide. Photo by Gwangju City

'Gwangju, the City of Democracy, Human Rights, and Peace,' shared its 'human rights city policy experience' with the world at the United Nations International Human Rights Conference. In particular, the 'Gwangju-style Integrated Care' policy was highlighted as an exemplary case in which a local government realized the values of the UN Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

This International Human Rights Conference, co-hosted by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), was held under the theme 'Local governments for human rights.'

The conference was attended by representatives of local governments from 20 cities around the world, officials from international human rights organizations, and human rights experts, with a total of about 100 participants engaging in in-depth discussions on human rights policies and shared challenges. The Gwangju delegation included Park Yongsoo, Director-General of Democracy, Human Rights, and Peace, and Shin Kyunggu, Advisor for International Human Rights Exchange, among four members.

The Gwangju delegation introduced at the conference: ▲the 12·3 Martial Law and Gwangju's response; ▲the 'Gwangju-style Integrated Care' policy rooted in the Daedong spirit; and ▲the vision of a city of democracy, human rights, and peace, thereby promoting Gwangju's efforts to advance human rights to the world.

The 'Gwangju-style Integrated Care' policy, which is a people-centered initiative that proactively reaches out to citizens in need of care regardless of income or age, was recognized as an exemplary case of realizing the values of the UN Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at the local government level. Participants showed great interest in the inclusiveness and practical applicability of the policy, giving it positive evaluations.

In his presentation, Park Yongsoo, Director-General of Human Rights and Peace, emphasized, "Gwangju is not only defending democracy, but also implementing human rights policies that protect citizens' everyday rights," adding, "The spirit of Gwangju in May 1980 continues to drive the promotion of human rights today."

During the conference, the city also held talks with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to discuss ways to strengthen international solidarity for the 'Gwangju World Human Rights Cities Forum.' In addition, Gwangju engaged in working-level contacts with the city of Graz, Austria, the first European city to adopt a 'Declaration of Human Rights,' to expand exchanges, and discussed academic and educational cooperation in the field of human rights between Graz University and Chonnam National University.

Meanwhile, in its 15th year, the city continues to host the 'Gwangju World Human Rights Cities Forum' to explore ways for solidarity among human rights cities so that everyone can live peacefully and safely. Since 2020, the World Human Rights Cities Forum has been co-hosted for six consecutive years with international organizations such as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and UNESCO, solidifying its status as a major international human rights event that continuously fosters international cooperation and discusses the future vision of human rights cities.