The Council for Human Rights Education at School, a network consisting of a variety of agencies that play a critical role in human rights education and children’s human rights in schools, including the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK), was launched at an official inauguration ceremony in the 10th floor Baeumteo of the NHRCK headquarters in Seoul, South Korea on October 5, 2007.
The need for a human rights education network that would connect agencies involved with children’s and educational policy had been suggested persistently in the past to increase the human rights education, the coordination of policies related to children's (students') human rights, and the effective implementation of the National Action Plan for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. The Council was finally established, in accordance with Article 20 of the National Human Rights Commission Act of the Republic of Korea.
Twenty agencies will participate in this new network, consisting of 16 local education authorities nationwide and four central administrative agencies. These include the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, the National Youth Commission, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education.
The Council for Human Rights Education at School is planning to forge partnerships among relevant agencies in order to carry out cross-agency consultation for the integration of human rights education into the national education curriculum and policy; to conduct cross-agency consultation and coordination for policies regarding the human rights of children (students) and human rights education; to provide information on human rights situations at home and abroad and educational materials; and to identify possible joint initiatives to promote the human rights of children
At the inauguration ceremony for the Council, the background, purpose and operational approach of the council was shared, along with the Commission’s request for cooperation to expand human rights education. The council will meet at minimum bi-annually, and also hold ad-hoc meetings as issues come into concern.
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea was established in 2001, offering investigation and remedy services for Korean citizens and foreigners residing in Korea against human rights violations and discrimination. The Commission provides policy recommendations and remedial action against human rights infringements, collaborates with international human rights organizations and implements educational programs to improve the human rights culture.
