World Human Rights Cities Forum 2025

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World Human Rights Cities Forum 2025

ABOUT

WHRCF
- WHRCF
- COOPERATION PROJECTS
PARTNERS
PAST FORUMS
HRC GWANGJU

2026

GREETINGS
OVERVIEW

BOARD

NOTICE
NEWS

ARCHIVE

FORUM MATERIAL
HUMAN RIGHTS MATERIAL
PHOTO

World Human Rights Cities Forum 2025

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WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS
CITIES FORUM 2026

Human Rights Cities Against Authoritarianism and Populism

Date May, 2026
Venue KDJ Convention Center,
Gwangju, Republic of Korea

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MAIN AGENDA

01

Discuss the spread of authoritarianism and populism and assess the impact on human rights.

02

Explore the policies and roles of human rights cities in responding to authoritarianism and populism.

03

Discuss response strategies for civil society and local communities aimed at restoring and promoting human rights.

04

Explore avenues for international cooperation and solidarity among human rights cities to restore democracy and protect human rights.

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WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS CITIES FORUM 2026

Human Rights Cities Against Authoritarianism and Populism

Date May 13. (WED) - 15. (FRI), 2026
Venue KDJ Convention Center, Gwangju, Republic of Korea

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MAIN SPEAKERS
OF THE WHRCF 2025

KANG Gi-jung
Mayor, Gwangju Metropolitan City

SUH Sung
Endowed-Chair Professor,
Woosuk University

CHOE Jaechun
Professor,
Ewha Womans University

CHA Inpyo
Author and Actor

SHIN Hyung-sik
Director, The Institute for Popular
Sovereignty

Francis Daehoon Lee
Director of the Trans-Education for
Peace Institute (TEPI), PEACEMOMO

James Heenan
Representative,
UN Human Rights Office, Seoul

Christoph Heuser
Resident Representative,
Friedrich-Eber-Stiftung Korea Office

Farhana Binte Jigar Farina
Organizer in the Central Committee, Bangladesh Democratic Student Council

Morten Kjaerum
Affiliated Professor , Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI)

Janica Puisto
Human Rights Officer, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Keiko Toshimitsu
Visiting Researcher, Institute of Ars Vivendi, Ritsumeikan University

Benedetta Cosco
Policy Officer, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)

Dorian Rommens
Programme Specialist, UNESCO

Sherri Rollins
City Council and Chair Human Rights Committee of Council, City of Winnipeg

Klaus Starl
UNESCO Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights at Local and Regional Levels

HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
OF THE WHRCF 2025

NOTICE

					
						Call for Papers - Human Rights Paper Session (Deadline: March 12, 2026) 												
																		
										Call for Papers - Human Rights Paper Session (Deadline: March 12, 2026) 									
								
					11 Feb 2026
				
						Announcement of 2025 UNESCO APCAD YOUTH CAMP GWANGJU												
																		
										Announcement of 2025 UNESCO APCAD YOUTH CAMP GWANGJU									
								
					4 Jun 2025
				
						Announcement of Opening Ceremony & Plenary Session												
																		
										Announcement of Opening Ceremony & Plenary Session									
								
					12 May 2025
				
						Announcement of Side Event - A Conversation with CHA Inpyo												
																		
										Announcement of Side Event - A Conversation with CHA Inpyo									
								
					24 Apr 2025

NEWS

					
						Gwangju International Center Successfully Concludes  the 2025 KOICA Fellowship Program												
																		
										Gwangju International Center Successfully Concludes  the 2025 KOICA Fellowship Program									
								
					20 Nov 2025
				
						Gwangju International Center Delivers KOICA Fellowship Program												
																		
										Gwangju International Center Delivers KOICA Fellowship Program									
								
					23 Oct 2025
				
						The 2nd Planning Committee Meeting Held												
																		
										The 2nd Planning Committee Meeting Held									
								
					29 Sep 2025
				
						First International Steering Committee Meeting of 2025 Convened												
																		
										First International Steering Committee Meeting of 2025 Convened									
								
					24 Mar 2025

MAIN AGENDA

01

Discuss the spread of authoritarianism and populism and assess the impact on human rights.

02

Explore the policies and roles of human rights cities in responding to authoritarianism and populism.

03

Discuss response strategies for civil society and local communities aimed at restoring and promoting human rights.

04

Explore avenues for international cooperation and solidarity among human rights cities to restore democracy and protect human rights.

MAIN SPEAKERS
OF THE WHRCF 2025

<table class="noBorder" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 70%; vertical-align: middle;"><span style="letter-spacing: 2px; font-size: 20px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><strong><span style="line-height: 1.5;">KANG Gi-jung</span></strong></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Mayor, Gwangju Metropolitan City</span></span></td> <td style="width: 30%; vertical-align: middle; text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><img src="https://cdn.imweb.me/upload/S2024032325ef3cb207c5f/bbb07e372c11d.png" class="fr-fin fr-dib fr-fir"></span></span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

KANG Gi-jung
Mayor, Gwangju Metropolitan City

KANG Gi-jung
Mayor, Gwangju Metropolitan City

<table class="noBorder" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 70%; vertical-align: middle;"> <p style="text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><span style="letter-spacing: 2px; font-size: 20px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><strong>SUH Sung</strong></span> <br><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px;">Endowed-Chair Professor,<br>Woosuk University</span></p> </td> <td style="width: 30%; vertical-align: middle; text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><img src="https://cdn.imweb.me/upload/S2024032325ef3cb207c5f/bbb07e372c11d.png" class="fr-fin fr-dib fr-fir"></span></span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

SUH Sung
Endowed-Chair Professor,
Woosuk University

SUH Sung
Endowed-Chair Professor,
Woosuk University

<table class="noBorder" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 70%; vertical-align: middle;"> <p style="text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><span style="letter-spacing: 2px; font-size: 20px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><strong>CHOE Jaechun</strong></span> <br><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px;">Professor, <br>Ewha Womans University</span></p> </td> <td style="width: 30%; vertical-align: middle; text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><img src="https://cdn.imweb.me/upload/S2024032325ef3cb207c5f/bbb07e372c11d.png" class="fr-fin fr-dib fr-fir"></span></span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

CHOE Jaechun
Professor,
Ewha Womans University

CHOE Jaechun
Professor,
Ewha Womans University

<table class="noBorder" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 70%; vertical-align: middle;"> <p style="text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><span style="letter-spacing: 2px; font-size: 20px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><strong>CHA Inpyo</strong></span> <br><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px;">Author and Actor</span></p> </td> <td style="width: 30%; vertical-align: middle; text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><img src="https://cdn.imweb.me/upload/S2024032325ef3cb207c5f/bbb07e372c11d.png" class="fr-fin fr-dib fr-fir"></span></span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

CHA Inpyo
Author and Actor

CHA Inpyo
Author and Actor

<table class="noBorder" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 70%; vertical-align: middle;"> <p style="text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><span style="letter-spacing: 2px; font-size: 20px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><strong>SHIN Hyung-sik</strong></span> <br><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px;">Director, The Institute for Popular Sovereignty</span></p> </td> <td style="width: 30%; vertical-align: middle; text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><img src="https://cdn.imweb.me/upload/S2024032325ef3cb207c5f/bbb07e372c11d.png" class="fr-fin fr-dib fr-fir"></span></span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

SHIN Hyung-sik
Director, The Institute for Popular Sovereignty

SHIN Hyung-sik
Director, The Institute for Popular Sovereignty

<table class="noBorder" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 70%; vertical-align: middle;"> <p style="text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-size: 20px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><strong>Francis Daehoon Lee</strong></span> <br><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px;">Director of the Trans-Education for Peace Institute (TEPI), PEACEMOMO</span></p> </td> <td style="width: 30%; vertical-align: middle; text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><img src="https://cdn.imweb.me/upload/S2024032325ef3cb207c5f/bbb07e372c11d.png" class="fr-fin fr-dib fr-fir"></span></span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Francis Daehoon Lee
Director of the Trans-Education for Peace Institute (TEPI), PEACEMOMO

Francis Daehoon Lee
Director of the Trans-Education for Peace Institute (TEPI), PEACEMOMO

<table class="noBorder" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 70%; vertical-align: middle;"> <p style="text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 20px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><strong>James Heenan</strong></span> <br><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px;">Representative,<br>UN Human Rights Office, Seoul</span></p> </td> <td style="width: 30%; vertical-align: middle; text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><img src="https://cdn.imweb.me/upload/S2024032325ef3cb207c5f/bbb07e372c11d.png" class="fr-fin fr-dib fr-fir"></span></span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

James Heenan
Representative,
UN Human Rights Office, Seoul

James Heenan
Representative,
UN Human Rights Office, Seoul

<table class="noBorder" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 70%; vertical-align: middle;"> <p style="text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 20px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><strong>Christoph Heuser</strong></span> <br><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px;">Resident Representative,<br>Friedrich-Eber-Stiftung Korea Office</span></p> </td> <td style="width: 30%; vertical-align: middle; text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><img src="https://cdn.imweb.me/upload/S2024032325ef3cb207c5f/bbb07e372c11d.png" class="fr-fin fr-dib fr-fir"></span></span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Christoph Heuser
Resident Representative,
Friedrich-Eber-Stiftung Korea Office

Christoph Heuser
Resident Representative,
Friedrich-Eber-Stiftung Korea Office

<table class="noBorder" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 80.8274%; vertical-align: middle;"> <p style="text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-size: 20px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><strong>Farhana Binte Jigar Farina</strong></span> <br><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px;">Organizer in the Central Committee, Bangladesh Democratic Student Council</span></p> </td> <td style="width: 19.1726%; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><img src="https://cdn.imweb.me/upload/S2024032325ef3cb207c5f/bbb07e372c11d.png" class="fr-fin fr-dib fr-fir"></span></span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Farhana Binte Jigar Farina
Organizer in the Central Committee, Bangladesh Democratic Student Council

Farhana Binte Jigar Farina
Organizer in the Central Committee, Bangladesh Democratic Student Council

<table class="noBorder" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 80.8274%; vertical-align: middle;"> <p style="text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 20px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><strong>Morten Kjaerum</strong></span> <br><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px;">Affiliated Professor , Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI)</span></p> </td> <td style="width: 19.1726%; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><img src="https://cdn.imweb.me/upload/S2024032325ef3cb207c5f/bbb07e372c11d.png" class="fr-fin fr-dib fr-fir"></span></span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Morten Kjaerum
Affiliated Professor , Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI)

Morten Kjaerum
Affiliated Professor , Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI)

<table class="noBorder" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 80.8274%; vertical-align: middle;"> <p style="text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 20px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><strong>Janica Puisto</strong></span> <br><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px;">Human Rights Officer, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights</span></p> </td> <td style="width: 19.1726%; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><img src="https://cdn.imweb.me/upload/S2024032325ef3cb207c5f/bbb07e372c11d.png" class="fr-fin fr-dib fr-fir"></span></span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Janica Puisto
Human Rights Officer, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Janica Puisto
Human Rights Officer, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

<table class="noBorder" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 80.8274%; vertical-align: middle;"> <p style="text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-size: 20px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><strong>Keiko Toshimitsu</strong></span> <br><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px;">Visiting Researcher, Institute of Ars Vivendi, Ritsumeikan University</span></p> </td> <td style="width: 19.1726%; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><img src="https://cdn.imweb.me/upload/S2024032325ef3cb207c5f/bbb07e372c11d.png" class="fr-fin fr-dib fr-fir"></span></span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Keiko Toshimitsu
Visiting Researcher, Institute of Ars Vivendi, Ritsumeikan University

Keiko Toshimitsu
Visiting Researcher, Institute of Ars Vivendi, Ritsumeikan University

<table class="noBorder" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 80.8274%; vertical-align: middle;"> <p style="text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-size: 20px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><strong>Benedetta Cosco</strong></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0;"><br></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0;">Policy Officer, </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">United Cities and Local Governments </span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">(UCLG)</span></span></p> </td> <td style="width: 19.1726%; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><img src="https://cdn.imweb.me/upload/S2024032325ef3cb207c5f/bbb07e372c11d.png" class="fr-fin fr-dib fr-fir"></span></span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Benedetta Cosco
Policy Officer, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)

Benedetta Cosco
Policy Officer, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)

<table class="noBorder" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 80.8274%; vertical-align: middle;"> <p style="text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 20px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><strong>Dorian Rommens</strong></span> <br><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px;">Programme Specialist, UNESCO</span></p> </td> <td style="width: 19.1726%; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><img src="https://cdn.imweb.me/upload/S2024032325ef3cb207c5f/bbb07e372c11d.png" class="fr-fin fr-dib fr-fir"></span></span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Dorian Rommens
Programme Specialist, UNESCO

Dorian Rommens
Programme Specialist, UNESCO

<table class="noBorder" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 80.8274%; vertical-align: middle;"> <p style="text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><span style="letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 20px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><strong>Sherri Rollins</strong></span> <br><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px;">City Council and Chair Human Rights Committee of Council, City of Winnipeg</span></p> </td> <td style="width: 19.1726%; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><img src="https://cdn.imweb.me/upload/S2024032325ef3cb207c5f/bbb07e372c11d.png" class="fr-fin fr-dib fr-fir"></span></span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Sherri Rollins
City Council and Chair Human Rights Committee of Council, City of Winnipeg

Sherri Rollins
City Council and Chair Human Rights Committee of Council, City of Winnipeg

<table class="noBorder" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 80.8274%; vertical-align: middle;"> <p style="text-align: left; line-height: 1.5;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; font-size: 20px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><strong>Klaus Starl</strong></span> <br><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px;">UNESCO Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights at Local and Regional Levels</span></p> </td> <td style="width: 19.1726%; vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right;"><span style="color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><img src="https://cdn.imweb.me/upload/S2024032325ef3cb207c5f/bbb07e372c11d.png" class="fr-fin fr-dib fr-fir"></span></span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

Klaus Starl
UNESCO Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights at Local and Regional Levels

Klaus Starl
UNESCO Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights at Local and Regional Levels

HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
OF THE WHRCF 2025

NOTICE

					
						Call for Papers - Human Rights Paper Session (Deadline: March 12, 2026) 												
																		
										Call for Papers - Human Rights Paper Session (Deadline: March 12, 2026) 									
								
					11 Feb 2026
				
						Announcement of 2025 UNESCO APCAD YOUTH CAMP GWANGJU												
																		
										Announcement of 2025 UNESCO APCAD YOUTH CAMP GWANGJU									
								
					4 Jun 2025
				
						Announcement of Opening Ceremony & Plenary Session												
																		
										Announcement of Opening Ceremony & Plenary Session									
								
					12 May 2025
				
						Announcement of Side Event - A Conversation with CHA Inpyo												
																		
										Announcement of Side Event - A Conversation with CHA Inpyo									
								
					24 Apr 2025

NEWS

					
						Gwangju International Center Successfully Concludes  the 2025 KOICA Fellowship Program												
																		
										Gwangju International Center Successfully Concludes  the 2025 KOICA Fellowship Program									
								
					20 Nov 2025
				
						Gwangju International Center Delivers KOICA Fellowship Program												
																		
										Gwangju International Center Delivers KOICA Fellowship Program									
								
					23 Oct 2025
				
						The 2nd Planning Committee Meeting Held												
																		
										The 2nd Planning Committee Meeting Held									
								
					29 Sep 2025
				
						First International Steering Committee Meeting of 2025 Convened												
																		
										First International Steering Committee Meeting of 2025 Convened									
								
					24 Mar 2025

PAST FORUMS

PAST FORUMS

WHRCF SECRETARIAT

2F, 5, Jungang-ro 196beon-gil,
Dong-gu, Gwangju 61475, South Korea

Tel: +82-62-226-2734 I Fax: +82-62-226-2731
E-mail: whrcf@gic.or.kr

WHRCF NEWSLETTER

Sign up for our newsletter and
get the latest news on the WHRCF

FOLLOW US

#WHRCF2026 #Solidarity #HumanRightsCities #freedomforall #Standup4Humanrights #Cities4Rights

Copyright WHRCF All rights reserved.

WHRCF SECRETARIAT

2F, 5, Jungang-ro 196beon-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61475, South Korea

Tel: +82-62-226-2734 │ Fax: +82-2-226-2731 │ E-mail: whrcf@gic.or.kr

Copyright WHRCF All rights reserved.

WHRCF NEWSLETTER

Sign up for our newsletter and
get the latest news on the WHRCF

FOLLOW US

#WHRCF2026 #Solidarity #HumanRightsCities #freedomforall
#StandUp4HumanRights #Cities4Rights