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Peace and Solidarity: Human Rights Cities Acting for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding

Gwangju News

By the WHRCF Secretariat

Gwangju Hosts WHRCF 2025

The 2025 World Human Rights Cities Forum (WHRCF 2025) will be held on May 15 to 17 at the Kim Daejung Convention Center (KDJ Center) in Gwangju. Over the course of three days, the forum will present 27 sessions across seven categories, offering a global platform for dialogue, solidarity, and action.

Honoring the Spirit of May 18

Launched by Gwangju Metropolitan City in 2011, the WHRCF was founded to carry forward the legacy of the May 18 Democratization Movement and to foster a global network of human rights cities. Since then, the forum has evolved into a key international platform where cities, civil society, and human rights experts come together to exchange ideas and seek collective solutions to human rights challenges.

Beginning this year, the forum has moved its event scheduling from October to May to align with Gwangju’s May 18 Democratization Commemorative Week. The 2025 theme is “Peace and Solidarity: Human Rights Cities Acting for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding.” Participants will reflect on the meaning of active peace and explore strategies for building inclusive cities where all people can live in safety and dignity.

Forum Highlights

The WHRCF will open with a keynote address by Professor Suh Sung, followed by a plenary session in which local and international speakers will engage in in-depth discussions on this year’s theme of peace and solidarity.

Thematic Sessions

Seven thematic sessions will be held, focusing on:

  • Children and Youth
  • Dialogue to Promote a Global Anti-Violence Culture
  • Disability
  • Migration
  • Social Economy
  • Villages and Human Rights
  • Women

Each session will discuss meaningful exchanges between experts and citizens on pressing human rights issues.

Special Sessions

The Human Rights Paper Session will spotlight cutting-edge research presented by scholars from around the world. Another key event, Cities Against Violence, will feature city representatives sharing their local experiences of resisting violence and promoting peace.

Human Rights Tour

Participants will have the opportunity to join the Human Rights Tour, which traces the footsteps of the May 18 Democratization Movement. The tour will visit key historical sites from May 1980, offering personal stories and moments of remembrance for those who sacrificed their lives for democracy.

Side Events

A variety of side events will enrich the WHRCF experience:

  • Screenings of short films followed by conversations with the directors
  • A special conversation with actor and author Cha In-pyo, known for his novel Once We Look at the Same Star
  • A plant-based cooking class titled Bring Peace to Your Table

Pre-Registration

Pre-registration for WHRCF 2025 is open until May 11 on the forum website at www.whrcf.org. The website also provides detailed information on the full program schedule, session descriptions, concept notes, and participant guidelines. Onsite registration will be available for those who miss the pre-registration window.

The World Human Rights Cities Forum is open to all – join us in building a more peaceful and inclusive world.