Human Rights Paper Session

Civic Space and Human Rights Cities

Human Rights Papers Session provides a space for students, academics, activists, and practitioners to share their studies, with a view of spotlighting and providing solutions to the challenges of achieving more inclusive, human rights focused cities. The session recognizes the fact that human rights cities are made stronger when diverse citizen participation in civic spaces is ensured. Vibrant civic spaces are where people can express their diverse opinions and communicate strengthen democracy, trust and human rights.

Children and Youth

Student Autonomy and Global Democratic Citizenship Education Created by Student Citizens

Children and adolescents who are in the process of career exploration and transition should spend most of their time in the space of school and have global competencies to live as global democratic citizens in the future. Student autonomy activities in the autonomous space of school must be actively practiced in order for children and adolescents to grow into global democratic citizens with global competencies. Student autonomy activities are closely related to the recommendation and protection of student autonomy activities under Article 17 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and accordingly, the Office of Education and schools are making various efforts to ensure student autonomy activities. Therefore, ‘Student autonomy and global democratic citizenship education created by student citizens', which is the agenda of the ‘Children and Youth' host meeting emphasizing student autonomy activities, has a lot of significance as an initiative to develop student autonomy activities. By diagnosing the current status and problems of student autonomy organized by children and adolescents through presentations and discussions by domestic and foreign experts, the direction of development of student autonomy for global democratic citizenship education in line with the 14th forum's main theme of ‘Citizen Space and Human Rights City’ will be established.

Special Session by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea

The Engagement of Local Governments in the UN Human Rights Mechanisms: Bringing International Human Rights Norms to the Local Level

Local governments are crucial in promoting and protecting human rights at the community level due to their proximity and understanding of local challenges. Despite their importance, many local governments face obstacles like limited capacity and resources in engaging with the UN human rights system. The Special Session at the 14th World Human Rights Cities Forum will address these challenges and promote better implementation of UN human rights recommendations by local governments.

Disability

Civic Space: Universal Design and Human Rights for Persons with Disabilities

The United Nations emphasizes “civic space” as an environment ensuring rights essential for a free society, but some individuals struggle with mobility and accessibility within basic living spaces. To address this, nations and cities are promoting barrier-free and universal design, as seen in Korea’s recent policy plans. Achieving the UN's “Leave no one behind” goal

prioritizes ensuring free mobility and accessibility for citizens with disabilities, focusing on the right to access living conditions for all. A session on “Civic space: Universal design and human rights for persons with disabilities” will explore global examples and assess Korea's progress, particularly in Gwangju City, to ensure all citizens can engage fully in society.

Revitalizing Civil Society

Expanding Civic Spaces and Revitalizing Society

The journey of civic movements has been a process of promoting citizen participation in politics and society and establishing a free and open democracy where everyone can express their ideas. Civic space is the basis for civic participation, and civic space concepts and categories have now diversified and expanded at the political, institutional, and technological (digital) levels. While civic space has undergone cycles of contraction, stagnation, and expansion depending on shifts in political power and capital, civic movements are striving to expand civic spaces.

This session will analyze the factors faced by society concerning the shrinking and distortion of civic space, explore the possibilities of various civic spaces where all can freely participate, and discuss ways to revitalize civil society.

Gwangju-Chonnam Council of University Human Rights Centers **

KIM Yeojin, Chairperson, Korea Cyber Sexual Violence Response Center

Civic Space and Poverty 

in South Asia

Enhancing Civic Space to Alleviate Poverty 

In South Asia, the civic space - the environment in which civil society operates - varies significantly across countries. Democratic systems are often juxtaposed with oligarchic tendencies, where the rule by a few undermines public participation and the rule of law. This dynamic has profound implications for poverty, as restrictions on civic space can impede the effectiveness of poverty alleviation programs and economic development initiatives.

MODERATOR

SHIN Gyonggu, Executive Director, Gwangju International Center

Basil Fernando, Asia Legal Resource Center-Hong Kong

DISCUSSANTS

Social Movements and 
Inclusive Participation
in Cities

Social Movements and Inclusive Participation in Cities

The lack of access to economic, social and cultural rights, the triple planetary crisis of climate  change, biodiversity loss and pollution and the depletion of natural resources that are crucial for an adequate standard of living are increasingly at the heart of social movements and protests seen in cities and territories worldwide. People are speaking out on issues such as the lack of job and education opportunities as well as corruption, which diverts public revenues for basic services. Other key topics relate to competition over natural resources that are required for food production, such as land and water as well as social, political and economic inequalities. The discontent with representative institutions fuels mistrust, populism, misinformation and hate speech. This scenario calls for a thorough democratic dialogue. However, limited civic space for meaningful and safe participation of local communities often heighten existing grievances. Social movements have potential to achieve positive changes through changing laws and policies or challenging and shifting cultural norms. Their capability in achieving change depends on the support they receive from the public and the degree to which the public authorities are vested in maintaining the status quo. As the closest level of government to their inhabitants, local governments play a role in shaping civic space within which people can express their views, assemble, associate and engage in dialogue with local governments about issues that affect their lives. Local governments are also key in establishing structures and participatory democracy mechanisms through which individuals and groups can contribute to policymaking and decision-making; and in recognising the potential of social movements in sustaining impactful changes. All people, including the marginalized and disadvantaged individuals and groups, should be able to meaningfully participate in the planning, budgeting and decision-making processes of the city. An active and functioning civil society is essential for monitoring and evaluating the human rights situation at the local level and ensuring transparency and accountability; while rebuilding trust between inhabitants and institutions. Local participatory processes require mechanisms that allow effective access to information, fair policy and regulation that facilitate the work of the civil society, and an open and safe environment that facilitates public debate, co-creation of public policies and access to public services for all. This implies enhancing dialogues - both online and offline – by leveraging open governance and civic technology to foster collective intelligence and enhance civic engagement to improve people’s informed understanding of local public action.

MODERATOR

Birgit Kainz-Labbe, Civic Space Unit Coordinator,  Thematic Engagement Division of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

KEYNOTE SPEECH

Tim Whyte, Secretary General, ActionAid Denmark

SPEAKERS

Bongile Mbingo, Mayor, Ezulwini Town Council

Goizane Mota, Public Officer on Migration and Interculturalism, Bilbao City Council

Tikender Panwar, Member, Kerala Urban Policy Commission

Jose Molintas, Councilor, Baguio City Council

Marta Costa, Head of Youth Division, City of Valongo

ORGANIZERS