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Civil society leaders to address APF Conference

Graphic: People walking through a laneway, Seoul

Leading figures from South Korean civil society organisations will share their insights for building inclusive communities at the 2019 APF Conference.

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A number of leading figures from South Korean civil society organisations will share their perspectives on building strong and inclusive communities as part of the APF Biennial Conference.

The 2019 conference, to be held in Seoul on 5 September 2019, will feature a keynote address from Mrs Jung Kang-ja, Co-Chairperson of the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy.

Her presentation will consider the steps that civil society, government and national human rights institutions (NHRIs) can take to combat hate and discrimination and promote dignity for all people.

The President of the Korean Red Cross and the President of the Korea International Cooperation Agency will also address the APF Conference, along with Korea's representative on the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Ms Chung Chin-sung.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet will deliver a welcome video message to all conference participants.

It will be the first time that Ms Bachelet, who took up her appointment as High Commissioner in September 2018, has addressed a major gathering of NHRIs.

Representatives from 11 NHRIs in the Asia Pacific will be involved in the conference panel discussions on:

  • Good practice responses to hate and discrimination by NHRIs
  • Building partnerships and cooperation to counter hate and discrimination
  • Measures to be taken to prevent hate and discrimination in all parts of society.

"The wide variety of speakers will ensure there is a rich exchange of ideas, perspectives and practical strategies," APF secretariat Director Kieren Fitzpatrick said.


Graphic: Discussions at the 2017 APF Conference


The APF Biennial Conference – one of the largest regular human rights gatherings in the Asia Pacific region – will be hosted by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea.

The 24th APF Annual Meeting will be held on 3-4 September 2019, in the lead up to the Conference.

In addition to presentations from the APF's 25 member institutions, the Annual Meeting will include an interactive dialogue with representatives from the Asian NGOs Network on National Human Rights Institutions (ANNI).

Date: 21 August 2019


Image credits

  1. People walking through a laneway, Seoul - rawkkim on Unspalsh
  2. Discussions at the 2017 APF Conference - APF