From Wounds to Respect – Connecting Happiness in the Classroom: Our Stories of Building Schools Free from Hate
Background
Children and youth, who are at a critical stage of forming their self-identity through the cultivation of human rights awareness, spend the majority of their school years within educational spaces. During this time, they must develop the human rights consciousness necessary to live as democratic citizens in the future. For students to grow into democratic citizens who respect the rights of everyone in the classroom and school, a culture must be established where happiness is connected through mutual respect and care—rather than wounds and hate—supported by the substantive implementation of various activities.
This aligns with the right to pursue happiness and the formation of personality rights emphasized in the Constitution. It is a key educational agenda that will begin in Gwangju education in 2026 and expand nationwide. Therefore, efforts to foster a school culture based on mutual respect and consideration for others can be revitalized through the 2026 Children and Youth Session organized by the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education under the theme “From Wounds to Respect – Connecting Happiness in the Classroom: Our Stories of Building Schools Free from Hate.”
Objectives
Through presentations and discussions by domestic and international experts, this session aims to explore the current state of classroom and school culture experienced by children and youth, the necessity and significance of school culture based on mutual respect and consideration, as well as strategies for creating a hate-free school environment. Furthermore, by encouraging all members of the school community to move beyond past wounds toward mutual respect, the discussions will seek practical measures to transcend hate and foster mature human rights awareness and the pursuit of happiness. These efforts align with the overarching theme of World Human Rights Cities Forum 2026, "Human Rights Cities Against Authoritarianism and Populism," and will contribute to establishing a school culture that connects happiness in the classroom by transitioning from pain to respect.
Main Agenda
Introducing instances of hate and discrimination experienced by children and youth within classrooms and schools.
Introducing the importance of fostering a classroom and school culture centered on mutual respect and consideration for the well-being of students.
Sharing stories from various stakeholders regarding ways to connect happiness through mutual respect by creating a hate-free school culture.
Concept Note
From Wounds to Respect – Connecting Happiness in the Classroom: Our Stories of Building Schools Free from Hate
Background
Children and youth, who are at a critical stage of forming their self-identity through the cultivation of human rights awareness, spend the majority of their school years within educational spaces. During this time, they must develop the human rights consciousness necessary to live as democratic citizens in the future. For students to grow into democratic citizens who respect the rights of everyone in the classroom and school, a culture must be established where happiness is connected through mutual respect and care—rather than wounds and hate—supported by the substantive implementation of various activities.
This aligns with the right to pursue happiness and the formation of personality rights emphasized in the Constitution. It is a key educational agenda that will begin in Gwangju education in 2026 and expand nationwide. Therefore, efforts to foster a school culture based on mutual respect and consideration for others can be revitalized through the 2026 Children and Youth Session organized by the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education under the theme “From Wounds to Respect – Connecting Happiness in the Classroom: Our Stories of Building Schools Free from Hate.”
Objectives
Through presentations and discussions by domestic and international experts, this session aims to explore the current state of classroom and school culture experienced by children and youth, the necessity and significance of school culture based on mutual respect and consideration, as well as strategies for creating a hate-free school environment. Furthermore, by encouraging all members of the school community to move beyond past wounds toward mutual respect, the discussions will seek practical measures to transcend hate and foster mature human rights awareness and the pursuit of happiness. These efforts align with the overarching theme of World Human Rights Cities Forum 2026, "Human Rights Cities Against Authoritarianism and Populism," and will contribute to establishing a school culture that connects happiness in the classroom by transitioning from pain to respect.
Main Agenda