Gwangju Democracy Forum
The Gwangju Democracy Forum (GDF) is an annual international forum of the May 18 Foundation during the May 18 week to bring together democracy advocates, activists, researchers to discuss and reflect on the state and challanges of democracy and human rights at the local, national and global levels as a way to commemorate and practice globally the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising in 1980.
In 2021, the GDF is the new name to replace the Gwangju Asia Forum which started in 1999 in order to regenerate the energy and reshape the vision in the context of the emerging challenges to democracy in the world.
In 2021, the GDF is the new name to replace the Gwangju Asia Forum which started in 1999 in order to regenerate the energy and reshape the vision in the context of the emerging challenges to democracy in the world.
2023 Gwangju Democray Forum
| Theme | Solidarity for Democracy and Human Rights Defenders |
|---|---|
| Themetic Cluster | |
|
■ State Violence and Restoration of Victim’s Rights – How Will It Be Done? ■ UN SDG 16+ - Peace, Justice, and Democracy ■ Challenges and Threats Toward Human Rights Defenders |
|
| Modality | In Person and Hybrid |
| Date | May 14 ~ May 19, 2023 |
| Participants | More than 290 (Online and In person) |
| Manuscript | |
2022 Gwangju Democracy Forum
| Theme | An Answer to Global Crisis – Collaboration and Solidarity |
|---|---|
| Thematic Clusters | |
|
■ Defining an Incomplete Transitional Justice ■ COVID-19 and Democracy ■ Democracy in Asia - Prospects for 2022 |
|
| Modality | In Person, Virtual, and Hybrid |
| Date | May 18 ~ May 21, 2022 |
| Participants | More than 400 (Online and In person) |
| Manuscript | |
2021 Gwangju Democracy Forum
| Theme | COVID-19 and Glocal Democracy – Impact, Challenges and Opportunities |
|---|---|
| Thematic Clusters | |
|
■ State Violence, Impunity, and Transitional Justice ■ Democratization Movement in Asia – Threats and Challenges ■ Open, Inclusive and Participatory Democracy ■ New Challenges and Opportunities for Democracy ■ Democratization Movement and Civil Society |
|
| Modality | In Person, Virtual, and Hybrid |
| Date | May 17 ~ May 21, 2021 |
| Participants | More than 700 participants (Online and In person) |
| Manuscript | |
2020 Gwangju Asia Forum
| Theme | Solidarity for Justice and Peace of Asia |
|---|---|
| Thematic Clusters | |
|
■ Democracy and Transitional Justice ■ Retrogression of Asia’s Democracy and Counter-Action ■ State Violence and Solidarity |
|
| Modality | In Person, Virtual, and Hybrid |
| Date | May 17 ~ May 21, 2020 |
| Participants | 250 participants (Online and In person) |
| Manuscript | |
2019 Gwangju Asia Forum
| Theme | Genocide and Refugees: State Violence and State Responsibility to Protect Its People |
|---|---|
| Thematic Clusters | |
|
■ Truth-finding for the May 18 Democratic Uprising ■ Refugees: Beyond Discrimination and Hatred ■ Unfinished Mission: Rightiong Past InjusticeL Outcomes and Prospects |
|
| Modality | In Person |
| Date | May 17 ~ May 21, 2019 |
| Participants | 550 |
| Manuscript | |
2018 Gwangju Asia Forum
| Theme | Time to Implement |
|---|---|
| Modality | In Person |
| Date | May 16 ~ May 19, 2018 |
| Participants | 400 |
2017 Gwangju Asia Forum
| Theme | Resist! From Gwangju 1980 to Candlelight Vigil 2017 |
|---|---|
| Modality | In Person |
| Date | May 16 ~ May 20, 2017 |
| Participants | 350 |
2016 Gwangju Asia Forum
| Theme | State Violence and Historical Distortion |
|---|---|
| Modality | In Person |
| Date | May 16 ~ May 18, 2016 |
| Participants | 350 |
2015 Gwangju Asia Forum
| Theme | Solidarity for Social Justice |
|---|---|
| Modality | In Person |
| Date | May 16 ~ May 18, 2015 |
| Participants | 360 |
2014 Gwangju Asia Forum
| Theme | Civil Society's Responsibility for Restoration of Democracy and Justice |
|---|---|
| Modality | In Person |
| Date | May 16 ~ May 18, 2014 |
| Participants | 300 |
2013 Gwangju Asia Forum
| Theme | Civil Society’s Engagement in Human Rights and Democracy |
|---|---|
| Modality | In Person |
| Date | May 16 ~ May 18, 2013 |
| Participants | 528 |
2012 Gwangju Asia Forum
| Theme | Toward Righteous Change |
|---|---|
| Modality | In Person |
| Date | May 16 ~ May 18, 2012 |
| Participants | 300 |
2011 Gwangju Asia Forum
| Theme | Globalizing Human Rights from Below |
|---|---|
| Modality | In Person |
| Date | May 16 ~ May 18, 2011 |
| Participants | 400 |
2010 Gwangju Asia Forum
| Theme | Past, Today, and Future of Asia |
|---|---|
| Modality | In Person |
| Date | May 16 ~ May 18, 2010 |
| Participants | 400 |
Republic of Korea Gwangju Seogu Naebangro 152
/ Phone. +82-62-360-0518 / Fax. +82-62-360-0519
/ Phone. +82-62-360-0518 / Fax. +82-62-360-0519
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