The National Human Rights Commission of Korea invites American law students for human rights education and training
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) hosted the 2007 Santa Clara Human Rights Program from June 25 to July 6, 2007 to promote human rights education and international collaboration between law students. The Commission organized the event in collaboration with the Santa Clara Law School and the Seoul National University Law School.
All events in the 2007 Santa Clara Human Rights Program were held in the Auditorium 1 (Bae-um-teo 1) in the National Human Rights Commission Building. The program aimed to assist aspiring human rights lawyers and human rights defenders to gain practical skills for human rights advocacy, to build their capacity for contributing to international and domestic legal norms and to apply human rights principles to their current and future endeavors.
The program brought together experts from universities, law firms and human rights organization representatives. Each spoke about human rights in their respective fields and respective geographic regions. Among the speakers were Dr. Heisoo Shin, UN CEDAW member and lecturer on international human rights mechanisms and women’s rights; Dr. Mamadou Dian Balde, UNHCR protection officer and lecturer on the protection of displaced persons; Dr. Daehoon Lee, professor at SungKongHoe University and lecturer on integrating human rights and peace work; and Dr. Wonjae Lee, member of the Hankyoreh Economic Research Institute and lecturer on business and human rights.
The participants included law students from Santa Clara University, Georgetown University and New York University. The students were given opportunities to explore the different roles and functions of national human rights institutions, anti-discrimination laws, constitutional justice and the protection of socially marginalized groups.
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea plans to continue these collaborative efforts that will promote human rights education beyond political and national borders.
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea was established in 2001 to promote human rights education and defend those who have experienced discrimination, or have had a right violated, in Korea. The Commission offers counseling, full investigation and protection for citizens, along with educational initiatives for organizations.
