Call for Application – The Gwangju Youth Democracy Forum 2024 ( ~ March 20th)

The May 18 Foundation invites you to apply to participate the Gwangju Youth Democracy Forum 2024(Y-GDF) during the Gwangju Democracy Week on May 14 to 15 (Tuesday to Wednesday), 2024 prior to Gwangju Democracy Forum 2024 in Gwangju, South Korea. The various program (lecture, discussion, study tour, and etc) will be composed and after the Y-GDF, you will attend the GDF 2024 from May 16 to 18 (Thursday to Saturday) 2024. The GDF will take place for 4 days during the Gwangju Democracy Week under the theme “Crisis of Freedom - The Future We Want” You can find the concept note (draft) of the GDF 2024 below. The deadline for the submission is March 20th (Wednesday), 2024.

- Application Link: http://forum.java.cro.kro.kr/eng/index.do?contentId=368&dm_id=7

- Duration: Feb. 27(Tues.) to March 20th (Wed.), 2024

* Contact and Enquiries

- Hayoung Shin: shy@518.org Tel) +82-62-360-0535

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Y-GDF 2024 Concept Note (Tentative)

2024 Gwangju Youth Democracy Forum (Y-GDF)

May 14 to 15 (Tuesday to Wednesday), 2024

Concept Note

Introduction

Every May, the spirit of the people’s struggle for democracy and human rights against martial law in May 1980 is commemorated in Gwangju and nationwide through programs to remember and sustain the democracy movement. During this occasion, the May 18 Foundation and the Asia Democracy Network are implementing a joint initiative, the Gwangju Youth Democracy Forum (Y-GDF), to cultivate youth leadership in the democracy movement, strengthen youth engagement in civic participation, and provide a space to network among like-minded actors.

The Y-GDF will take place in Gwangju, Korea, from 14-15 May, 2024, before the Gwangju Democracy Forum (GDF). The GDF is an annual international forum organized by the May 18 Foundation in cooperation with partner organizations to envision more excellent prospects for democracy in the world, according to the May 18 spirit. The GDF will bring prominent democracy and human rights stakeholders from across Asia, and the participants of the Y-GDF will have an opportunity to network and engage.

Objectives

Sustain and maintain the democratic movement in memorial of the May 18 democracy struggle spirit

Develop youth leadership in activism

Provide space for pro-democracy advocate youth to network and connect

Themes/Topics

This year, the theme of the Gwangju Democracy Forum(GDF) is ‘Crisis of Freedom – The Future We Want”. The Forum aims to examine the evolution of how freedom is defined and its varied perceptions, with the goal of gaining insight into the contemporary understanding of freedom in today’s world.

In line with the GDF theme, the Y-GDF will also explore three thematic clusters from the GDF under the overarching theme, “We Are The Future.”

Global Crisis

Discuss ways to deepen international solidarity and the necessity of global leadership to create a peaceful Earth without war.

We are the Future

Discuss mobilizing and leading movements as youth activists as a response to challenges regarding democracy, human rights, and freedom. (ie: Hong Kong’s Umbrella Revolution, Taiwan’s Sunflower Movement, Milk Tea Alliance, and Myanmar’s Civil Disobedience Movement)

Election vs Democracy?

Discuss how elections are conducted in respective countries, the factors that impact the electoral process and as a means to strengthen democracy.

Methodology

The two-day program will include lectures, on-site study tours, group work, and group discussions. There will also be opportunities for participants to present their thoughts on their vision for the future of democracy and civic space as well as strengthening international solidarity.

The participants will also attend the Gwangju Democracy Forum from 16-18 May 2024 learning and engaging pro-democracy advocates and experts. In addition, participants will also participate in the National May 18 Ceremony organized by the Korean government on May 18th.

Eligible Participants

22-35 years of age (born 1989-2002)

Korean & Foreign student of any nationality

Must reside in Korea and be enrolled in a South Korean institution of higher education

Currently studying topics on peace, democracy, human rights, civil society

Interested in learning more about the May 18th Democratic Uprising

Must be able to attend in full the Y-GDF and GDF for the duration of 14-18 May 2024

Accommodations/Meals/Transportation

Accommodation will be provided (two people will be paired in one room in a modest hotel)

Meals will be provided for 5 nights and 6 days from dinner 14 to breakfast 19 May 2024.

Transportation - The participant is responsible for arranging and funding transportation to Gwangju, Korea.

Main Venue:

May 18 Foundation - 61965 Gwangju Seogu Naebangro 152 May 18 Memorial Culture Center

Program

[Gwangju Democracy Forum Schedule]

	May 14 (Tues.)	May 15(Wed.)	May 16(Thur.)	May 17(Fri.)		May 18 (Sat.)
AM	Y-GDF Participants Arrival	Session I	GDF Opening Keynote Speech I	Thematic Session III-1	Thematic Session II	44th Anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising National Ceremony
				Thematic Session III-2	Special Session
			Lunch
				Lunch
PM	Orientation and Introduction	Lunch	Thematic Session I-1			Cultural Exploration
		Session II		Special Session	Special Session
		The Foundation's Reflection on International Project and the way Forward	Coffee Break
	Study Tour		Thematic Session I-2	Coffee Break
				Closing Session
				May 18 Eve March
Event	- Screening of Myanmar Documentary: 7 PM. May 16(Venue: Minjoo Hall) - May 18 Eve March & Eve Festival: 5:30 PM. May 17(Venue: Geumnam-ro) - 2024 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights(GPHR) Award Ceremony: 7 PM, May 18 (Venue: To Be Confirmed)

[Y-GDF Schedule]

Time	May 14	May 15
9:00~12:00		Session I Group Discussion: Under the three thematic Cluster Discussion Theme: - Global Crisis - We are the Future - Election VS Democracy?
12:00~13:00	Participants Arrive, and Enrollment (May 18 Archives)
13:00~15:00	Orientation and Introduction	Lunch
15:00~18:00	Study Tour: Mission – Finding the M 15:00~15:30 Move to Gumnamro 15:30~16:00 Strategic Planning 16:00 Game Start (The May 18 Historical Sites nearby Gumnamro)	Session II: Presentation & Discussion:
		Break (15:30~16:00)
		The Foundation’s Reflection on International Project and the Way Forward

**The program is subject to change. A final program will be provided before the event.

Contact:

Hayoung Shin, May 18 Foundation Glocal Center shy@518.org +82-62-360-0535 (Gwangju, Korea)