You are cordially invited to attend the World Human Rights Cities Forum (WHRCF) 2026, which will take place in Gwangju, South Korea, from May 13 to 15, 2026.
Gwangju Metropolitan City, grounded in the spirit of the May 18 Democratization Movement of 1980, has embedded the values of human rights and democracy across all areas of its city policies and has hosted the World Human Rights Cities Forum since 2011. The Forum has now established itself as a representative international human rights platform where cities around the world stand in solidarity to discuss a wide range of human rights issues and seek solutions.
The theme of the 2026 Forum is “Human Rights Cities Against Authoritarianism and Populism.” Today, with the global spread of authoritarian governance and populist politics, the universality of human rights and the principles of democracy are under threat. As a result, freedom of expression and civic participation are being constrained, while hatred and exclusion are spreading throughout society, placing at risk the very values that human rights cities have long sought to uphold.
This year’s Forum serves as a response to these challenges of our time. It seeks to provide a multifaceted analysis of the impacts of authoritarianism and populism on human rights, and to engage in in-depth discussions on the policy and institutional responsibilities of human rights cities, as well as practical strategies to confront them. In addition, the Forum will highlight the roles of civil society and local communities, and will provide a platform to jointly explore directions for inter-city solidarity and international cooperation aimed at restoring human rights and strengthening democracy.
We look forward to welcoming you in Gwangju this May.
Thank you.
