May 18 Memorial Foundation launches 2010 Human Rights Award

The May 18 Memorial Foundation yearly announces the 2010 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights in memory of the May 18 Democratic Uprising of 1980. The Gwangju prize is gaining international renown, and received nominations from Afghanistan, Burma, Malaysia, and across the Asian continent in 2009. The annual prize aims to enhance the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising by recognizing individuals and organizations who have contributed to protecting human rights and promoting peace, unification and cooperation. This year is especially significant for the people of Gwangju and defenders of democracy because it marks the 30th anniversary of the 1980 uprising. In May this year, citizens and activists will gather in Jeollanam-do to honor and celebrate Gwangju’s contribution to Korean democracy by presenting one outstanding individual or organization with a medal, certificate and 50 million won grant in recognition of their efforts towards peace, democracy and human rights for all.

For more information, please check the website: http://eng.518.org/eng/html/main.html
The final deadline for applying this award is March 1, 2010

Previous Winners of the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights

Call for nominations for Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Award 2010.

Each year, the May 18 Memorial Foundation announces this award in a spirit of solidarity with those working towards democracy. The award goes to one individual or organization who has contributed to the promotion and advancement of human rights, democracy and peace in their work.

Candidates eligible for the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights are nominated by other individuals or organizations. An individual cannot nominate himself or herself.

Core criteria:

1) A person or group who is actively involved in the promotion of Peace and Human Rights and the development of Democracy.

OR

2) A person or group working for the reunification of Korea.

Nominations will be taken from November to the first week of May. Preliminary and final reviews of nominees take place from May to April, and the winner of the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Award will be announced in the last week of April.

November 2009

Announcement and nomination forms are sent out. The Committee sends out invitation letters containing forms to persons who may be interested in making a nomination.

01 March 2010

Deadline for submission of the form and related documents. The Committee assesses the candidates' work and prepares a shortlist.

April 2010

The committee reviews the shortlist and consults advisers as to their knowledge of chosen candidates. The advisers do not directly evaluate nominations nor give explicit recommendations. On April 23, 2010, committee members will choose a winner and the next day a public announcement and press conference will be held to announce the winner.

18 May 2010

Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Award Ceremony. The prizewinner receives the award.

The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Award will be presented to the laureate at a ceremony in Gwangju, Republic of Korea on May 18, which is the 30th Anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising. The Award consists of a gold medal, a certificate and a 50 Million Korean Won (KRW 50,000,000.00) grant to support the ongoing work of the laureate.

The annual Gwangju Prize for Human Rights has the following aims:
1) To enhance the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising by recognizing individuals, groups and institutions who have contributed to protecting the human rights of the excluded, impoverished and disempowered at the grassroots level.

2) To reward individuals, groups and institutions for promoting the goals of the May 18 Democratic Uprising as a movement toward peace, unification and cooperation.

Application Form (Download)

The application deadline is 01 March 2010.