Meeting with great people

I. November 27, 2008 -- MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society

MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society established on May 28, 1988. MINBYUN aims at the development of a systematic and organizational structure in response to human rights violations with the goal of becoming a valuable participant in the entire democratization movement. In addition, MINBYUN provides legal advice and cooperation to non-governmental organizations working for social progress. It consists of more than 500 lawyers from all parts of South Korea. The headquarters is located in Seoul, and there are seven other branch offices in Busan, Daegu, Ulsan, Gwangju-Jeonnam, Daejon-Chungcheong, Jeonju-Jeonbuk and Gyungnam.

I arrived at 1 PM and read some articles. At 2 PM I had meeting with Ms. Seo Seon-Young (an Attorney at Law) and Ms. Lee Chaeyoung (a Volunteer in MINBYUN as an Interpreter) questioned about generally situation of the court and law, the role of freedom assembly and demonstration, and around of candle demonstration in South Korea. Our meeting was around 2 hours. I got copies of articles and the Korean Law ‘ADA’ (Assembly and Demonstration Act).

II. November 28, 2008 -- PSPD (People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy)

It is a civil organization dedicated to promoting justice and human rights in Korean society through the participation of the people. PSPD founded in 1994 by more than 200 members. PSPD had been serving as a watchdog against the abuse of power, developed various activities to bring justice and democracy to many areas in the society.

I had meeting at around 10 AM with Ms. Cha Eunha (International Solidarity Committee). She explained about her organizations and gave a copy article related with the condition of freedom of assembly and democratization in South Korea.

She also asked me to write an article about my self and Indonesia and she will put it on her organization’s website. Our meeting finished at around 11.30 AM

III. November 29, 2008 -- Koh Jae Youl (A Reporter in SISA-IN)

I had meeting with Mr. Koh Jae Youl as a Staff Writer in SISA-IN Newspaper. SISA-IN is an independent newspaper in South Korea that established on September 2007.

I met him in Central City of Seoul at around 1 PM and finished at 4 PM. While he explained about his experiences as a reporter for around 9 years, we around the area where candle demonstrations were organize for the first time and nowadays. He explained about when, where, and why of candle demonstration. During my interview, there were 2 Korean students of Yonsei University who also interview him.

IV. December 2, 2008 -- Kim Sabong (A Professor of Philosophy Department in Chonnam University, Gwangju)

Professor Kim Sabong is a professor in Chonnam University of Philosophy Department. I met him at around 7 PM. He explained about the histories of democratic movements in South Korea. Our meeting was around 2 hours.

Unfortunately, organizations that I visited do not have books or other resources in English and also for their website.

I am thankful for the May 18 Memorial Foundation for the chance visited organizations in Seoul and Gwangju: meeting, interview with some people, and share histories, democratic movements, and law in South Korea. I learn and experienced lot of things.

By. Gregoria Barbarica K.R.
International Intern – The May 18 Memorial Foundation

December 3, 2008

Link:

www.518.org

Indonesian in Korea: My Story

As an International Intern at the May 18 Memorial Foundation, I already passed my time in South Korea especially in Gwangju around 9 months. I arrived in South Korea on March 2008. First time I didn’t know much about the country even Gwangju. Day by day, I learned and experienced a lot of things.

In Indonesia, I work for an NGO as a Program Coordinator. The name is SOLIDARITAS NUSA BANGSA-SNB (Homeland Solidarity). SNB is a Non-Government Organization (NGO) that focuses on society’s values such as dignity, equality, and freedom. Established on June 5, 1998 after The May Riot 98, SNB spontaneously has been a shelter for the riot’s victims and their relatives. Our vision is an Indonesia that is democratic, which appreciates friendship, pluralism values and honors equality. Our mission is to empower communities to be more aware of the values of pluralism and equality.

Before I went to South Korea, I worked around a year and a half in SNB. Most of my works were related with victim’s family of May Riot 98. We work with the association of victim’s family in Klender, East Jakarta. It is called FKKM (Forum Keluarga Korban Mei 1998) – Forum of Victim’s Family of May Riot 98.


What is May Riot 98?
It started on May 12, 1998 when more than a thousand people especially university students gathered at Trisakti University, Jakarta. They were against the government of former President Mr. Soeharto (RIP) who lead Indonesia since 1967-1998. There were clashes between demonstrators and the police, four university students died and many people got hurt.

The Trisakti Tragedy followed by May Riot on May 13-15, that made a lot of ordinary people angry. They made vandalism and burning of cars, stores, buildings, etc in some areas in Jakarta. The tragedy and riot also happened in some cities in Indonesia, like Palembang, Solo, Surabaya, and Lampung.

The tragedy and Riot were big moments for Indonesian society. It made a big change. Mr. Soeharto (RIP) deposed from his position as a president of Indonesia on May 21, 1998 and Mr. B.J.Habibie as a Vice President replaced him. After the tenure of Mr. Soeharto (RIP), many organizations were established. Most of them were NGO (Non Government Organization). Their aims, goal, vision, and mission were various but most were concerned on democracy, human rights, and peace. Democratization started from then on.

Since I work in my NGO in Indonesia, especially when I meet the victim’s family and see their smile, it made me more eager and involved on human rights, democracy, and peace

Until now, the government have not done much to address the tragedy and Riot. Most of the victims were laid to rest in Pondok Rangon, East Jakarta. On April 2007, we made a petition for 21 people / organizations to our president, Mr. Soesilo Bambang Yudhono. We asked the government for a proper grave of the May Riot’s victims.

Other activities that we have done includes: advocacy, book launching, exhibitions, and campaigns especially for May Riot 98.

The big moment for me during my internship program was when I joined the big demonstration at Geunamno Street (downtown) on June 10, 2008. It inspired me about how to organize mobilization. Candle demonstration, it is a calm and peaceful means of protest. People come with candles and sing struggle songs. At the candle demonstration, people could bring their family members even children. When we join, we could learn and experience history, our society problems, and gain knowledge especially related with democratization.


Most of people have the opinion that to reach our goal we need to use violence way. It is not right!! Violence just bring a lot of people to get hurt or died. Let’s us start the democratic movement by peaceful way, where a lot of people can join and fight together for our hope and dream.

For almost 10 months in South Korea, my knowledge and experiences were definitely enhanced. It was not only from the books, internet, or other resources, but also from the Korean people. The spirit and struggle of Korean people especially the historic 1980 Gwangju Democratic Uprising inspired me a lot.

My internship program will be finished this December, I will go back to Indonesia on December 27, 2008. Indonesia is a developing country. We still have a lot of weaknesses to address as a nation. As Indonesian, I will do my best to give my full capabilities as my way to fight for human rights, democracy, and peace. Thank you for the May 18 Memorial Foundation for having contributed a lot in charging my views and perspective in life.


By. Gregoria Barbarica K.R.
International Intern – The May 18 Memorial Foundation
Gwangju, South Korea
December 5, 2008

Photos by.
1. Pete Erlano Rahon
2. Yori

Links:
http://www.518.org/
http://www.snb.or.id/

The May Citizen Documentary Photographer Report 2008

Culture and Solidarity Team of the May 18 Memorial Foundation is holding an exhibition at the 518 gallery from October 7 – 31, 2008. The exhibition is different like the usual, because the photographers are the citizens who were educated by the Foundation.

Every year the Foundation opens an opportunity for Gwangju citizens who have interest in photography and the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising. The program is ‘The May Citizen Documentary Photographer Academy’.
The program started last year in 2007. Last March, 2008 there were around 50 citizens who applied for the program. The Foundation chose 30 mostly senior citizens and married. Twice a week they have education session at the video room of the Foundation that run for 6 months.
On August, 2008 the education finished. Each of them were given a task to take photos and its corresponding information. There are 26 pictures being exhibited at the 518 gallery. The theme is everything in society, like human rights, democracy, peace, daily life, etc. The pictures are many kinds: candle light demonstration, farming activities, situation at the market, women activities, etc.

The aim of this program is to keep the spirit, struggle, and bravery of the professional photographers who took pictures during the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising. In that time, it was a difficult for them to take pictures, but they could made memories with their pictures that people can see and learn until now. They made the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising refer to as post history of Gwangju in other cities and countries.
Even if the theme is general but every person must have a goal for their pictures. How they could convey the message and it can change opinion or life of other people who see them. How the pictures could change the society being good societies. It was not an easy work for them as general people (citizens).
On the opening ceremony, October 7 at 5 PM, the Chairman of the May 18 Memorial Foundation, Mr. Yun Kwang Jang, gave a graduation certificate to Mr. Choi Jeong Hwan as a representative of the class/students. He was the leader of the class/students. During the education, the students choose him as their leader. Other students also got the graduation certificate as a reward of their work to keep the spirit and struggle of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising.

On his speech, as a representative of the class/students, Mr. Choi Jeong Hwan said thank you for the May 18 Memorial Foundation, their teacher include Mr. Park Cheung as a coordinator of this program.
On its program and activities, the Foundation is covers different classes of the society like the students (elementary, middle, and high school), university student, and the public in general.
The education of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising is not only from the class, but they can also learn it with developing a hobby like photography.

Congratulations to all the students…

link:
www.518.org

USA Intern Volunteers Presentation

On August 2008, 7 intern volunteers from USA came back to Gwangju, South Korea. The USA intern volunteers made their presentation on last September 26, 2008. The program started at 4.30 PM. The chairman, Mr. Yun Kwang Gwan gave his opening remarks.

Below was the order of presentation:
1. Ryu Jei Jun / Korean American Resource and Cultural Center
2. Park Hun Mo / Korean American Resource and Cultural Center
3. Yang In Hwa / Rainbow Center, Inc
4. Kim Seng / Rainbow Center, Inc
5. Kim Ha Na / Rainbow Center, Inc
6. Yim Kwang Jun / Korean Resource Center
7. Chui Ha Na / Korean Resource Center

Some family members, parents, siblings of intern volunteers came and gave support to their children’s presentation. The parents were very proud with their children and the support from the parent is important.

Yang In Hwa, the youngest intern volunteers in USA. She was just 21 years old when she became an intern at Rainbow Center, USA. For her, the internship program was a step for her growing up. First time she arrived at Rainbow Center, she felt inept. Time goes by and after 2 weeks, she felt like real member and enjoyed her time. In her internship program, she saw and was touched with the struggle and sacrifices of some people who shared with the others who are in need of help.

The Sisters would cook for us rather than themselves, the participants in the alteration and tailoring class took turns preparing snacks for the class and sharing them together, and other good examples. She was surprised when seeing Korean Americans who were, themselves struggling to make a living in a foreign land, support, and make donations to share with other Korean Americans who are less fortunate. She considers it as a precious time being an intern at the Rainbow Center. She learned to be a person who can share her time and energy like other volunteers does.

Kyung Choi was an intern also at Rainbow Center. On September 4, 2007 it was a historical day for her. At that day, Rainbow Center held a documentary film screening. She watched the movies “And Thereafter” and “Me and Owl”. First movie was a story about a Korean military bride, and the second story was about an American military camp town sex-workers in Korea. Before she watched the 2 movies her premise was help interracially married Korean women in crisis at Rainbow Center, but it changed. Two weeks as an intern, she did not know what to do and learn. Little by little, she felt and learn precious things.

The internship program changed the opinion and thinking patterns of most of the volunteers in Asia and USA. It is a good program for the students and youth to see and feel life in other country which is different culture from theirs. As interns, they work at the NGO who serve for other people who need their love and care.

This year, there were 5 volunteers sent to USA. We hope that their internship will also create an impact in their lives to become better person.


link:
http://www.518.org/

Asia Intern Volunteers Presentation

The May 18 Memorial Foundation is a non-profit organization established on August 30th, 1994 by the surviving victims of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, the victims families, and the citizens of Gwangju.

The Foundation aims to:

1. Commemorate as well as continue the spirit of struggle and solidarity of the May 18 Uprising;

2. Contribute to the peaceful reunification of Korea;

3. Work towards peace and human rights throughout the world.

Since its establishment, the Foundation has carried out numerous projects in various fields, including organizing memorial events, establishing scholarships, fostering research, disseminating information to the public, publishing relevant materials, dispensing charity and welfare benefits, building international solidarity, and awarding The Gwangju prize for Human Rights.

The Foundation opens an opportunity for students and youth to become volunteer. Twice each year they can apply to the Foundation. This is one way to introduce and continue the spirit of struggle and solidarity of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising by the student and youth as the next generation.

The volunteers were involved with the Foundation’s activities (domestic and international events), like: the Gwangju International Peace Forum, the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights, the Nanjang-Human-Free Concert, Red Festa, etc.

The Foundation also provides program for the volunteers. One of the programs is an opportunity for the volunteers to be sent abroad and work as an intern with NGO in Asia and USA. At least 10 volunteers are sent each year through a process of selection.

In 2007, the Foundation sent 5 volunteers to Asia and 7 volunteers to USA. On May 2008, intern volunteers from Asia came back to Gwangju, South Korea.

Last June 27, 2008 at 4 PM until 6.30 PM, the former intern volunteers made their presentation at the video room. They presented a situation in the country they were assigned and their work at NGO in each country; including their feelings. With their presentation, they were able to share their experiences to other volunteers and staff of the Foundation.

These are the summary from each intern volunteers:

I. Hwang Jiyeon

Through the internship program, the May 18 Memorial Foundationdispatched student volunteer to the Urban Poor Consortium (UPC),where I have worked as an intern until May, 2008. The UPC is anNGO in Indonesia that works with the urban poor and other marginalized groups and international volunteers to solve Indonesian urban povertyproblems. To defend the rights of the urban poor, it aims to developstrong people's organizations and networks, through which they canreclaim their right to live healthy and safely as human beings in theCity of Jakarta.The goal of UPC is grassroots empowerment through advocacy,organizing and networking. The grassroots organizing programs isdivided into alternative health care, children's learning and savingthrough garbage recycling. There are 32 communities managed by the UPCin Jakarta. I would like to be of help to children in the urban poorcommunities and work with the members of children's learning groups. Iusually visited the children's learning groups in 19 poor communitiesin Jakarta and participated in weekly meetings in the communities withteachers from each children's learning group. I started toinvestigate child abuse problems in poor families. I hope my researchdata could be adopted to improve children's condition in urban poorfamilies.

II. Chohee

Chohee’s presentation was divided into 3 parts, which were:

1. What is Forum-Asia. This part told about the organization.

2. As an Intern at the Forum-Asia and Earthright International for 8 months.

3. Other activities in Thailand.Chohee shared all her experiences in Thailand.

She was happy because she could share with other people.

III. Kim Yo An

Yoan was an intern at EMPOWER, Malaysia. Yoan’s presentation was divided into 2 parts, which were:

1. General introduction Malaysia and specific human rights situation of Malaysia.

2. Local NGOs dealing with those specific human rights situation.

As an intern, Yoan helped the creation of EMPOWER’s website and other works.

IV. Kang Donghun

Nepal has been setting up the peace process since the agreement on the cease-fire of civil war between government and Maoists. Moreover, it decided to demolish old monarchy and to become a democratic republican country after the Constituent assembly election. People in Nepal, however, are still suffering various types of human rights violations such as bomb explosion, beating, human trafficking, abduction, murder and displacement, etc.Due to Maoists’ winning on the Constituent assembly election; they have been accused of violating human rights for the last 10 years, the international communities are concerned with their human rights records.INSEC has been working for the establishment of peace and stable political condition in Nepal as an advisory organization for 20 years and mostly concentrated on the election during my internship, in 2007 and 2008.I had been assigned for CAAFAG (Children Affiliated with Armed Forces and Armed Groups) at first. I participated in many group meetings and was trained in some programs relating to the issue. Moreover, I was sent to some districts to interview human rights activists and children and to contingents of Maoists in Dang.The other main affair was working as an international observer for the Constituent assembly election. Since the release of the code of conduct for the election, I and interns in INSEC have monitored and researched on the election. Once I was dispatched to Rolpa, the original place of Maoist, for a fact-finding mission when two cadres of Maoists were murdered by unidentified group.

For this year, the Foundation sent 11 volunteer abroad. As the next generation, the volunteer have responsibility for keep and always commemorate the history of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising. They must understand what is happening in Asia and relate it with the ideas of May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising.

Intern volunteers from USA (7 people) will come on August 2008 and they will also make their presentation.

link:

http://www.518.rg/

Volunteering for KONA (Korean Organization of Natural Approach)

Today, Monday (September 29, 2008) I attended a program at a Wolbong Middle School with Prof. Kim of KONA Story Book Centre, Mr. Pete Rahon, and Mr. Thet Din. I left the office at around 9 AM and met Prof. Kim at the school.

Thet Din (Cambodia), Pete Rahon (Philippines), Prof.Kim (Korea), Gregoria (Indonesia)

On the program, we were representative from the May 18 Memorial Foundation. The program had 2 sessions:

1. Session I, it started at 9.45 AM until 11 AM. The audiences were the parents. In this session, Prof. Kim made a presentation about KONA Story Book Centre. We made story map to show the parents how and its usefulness. The participants got a kit which has paper and some English lessons.

2. Session II, it was started at 11.00 M until 12 PM. Aside from the parents, some students also attended this session. This session is about the lesson. There were some discussion between the speaker and the audience.

KONA Story Book Centre also exhibited some pictures, books, journals, and their program in the corridor of the school so the students could see and learn.

It was a good opportunity for the parents to know methods for their children to learn English. From the speakers, we had known some interesting study methods for children. It was an enriching experience for me attended the program, even I did not understand all the materials because they used Korean.

At 12 AM we had lunch with the parents and we were introduced to the students before they had their lunch. We arrived at the office around 1 PM.

Links:

http://www.518.org/

http://www.wolbong.ms.kr/

http://www.yurinuri.com/

My Reflection of the 2008 Summer Regional School ‘Rural Regeneration in Asia’

BACK TO NATURE

On August 22–28, 2008 ARENA, Sungkonghoe University, and the May 18 Memorial Foundation organized the 2008 Summer Regional School ‘Rural Regeneration in Asia’’. There were 2 venues, from 22 until 27 August it was held in Kapyeong-gun, Kyonggi-do (‘Future in Us’ village) and from 27 until 28 was held in Bukyiri, Chuncheon City, Kangwon-do (‘Green-Eco touring village, Mul-An Village’).

Participants include: MAINS students (15), Keisen students (1), Korean participants (2), and the May 18 Memorial Foundation (3).

Speakers/lectures were from countries like: Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Bangladesh. From the program, I meet, known, learn, and sharing knowledge, experiences, and culture from speakers/lectures and other participants. Mostly speakers/lectures were sharing their experiences about organic farming.

Farhad Mazhar-Bangladesh

Espallardo L.Lea-Philippines & Yoshizawa Mamiko-Japan

We were divided into 5 groups. Every groups including the speakers/lecturers, MAINS students, Keisen student, Korean participants, and the May 18 Memorial Foundation were members. Every day each group had different tasks, like: making synthesis, room arrangement, house keeping, group dynamic, etc.

In the first venue (‘Future in Us’ village), there were some environmental concerns. The water was limited, so every person must use it properly. This reminded us about natural resources crisis like water, rice, etc. In here, most of the time were spent in the meeting room and listening to speakers/lecturers. In the second venue (‘Green-Eco touring village, Mul-An Village’), we spent our time doing farming work.

'Future in Us' village

In the second venue (‘Green-Eco touring village, Mul-An Village’), we meet and shared with some citizens who lived in the village. It was really a good opportunity for me to meet them. I learn a lot from them, how their struggle to keep their lives and survival. Participants had other experiences in here like: picking corn and making ‘Tok’ (Korean traditional rice cake).

There was one competition also, when participants divided into 3 groups and have to find living things from the river.

We also had good opportunities to taste good food made by women’s group.

Besides sharing their lives in the farm, citizens also shared about their events like festival. In the festival, they performed some traditional program like traditional puppet. It was also one of their concerns how to keep history and Korean traditional culture. In the discussion time with citizens there were the 3 leaders of the village, elder group, and women group.

Below are some topics that I made reflection:

1. Rice problems crisis is not only farmer’s problems but also the people of the world.

2. Korean women movements were very strong, especially nowadays. How the struggle of them must be a good example for every woman in the world.

3. What is important is doing something with our feeling. A Korean farmer shared about his experiences and his life where he decided to go back to rural area from urban area. In urban area he had power and money, but, it didn’t make him happy and satisfied. He decided to go back to his hometown and became a farmer.

4. From one of citizens I learn how we must to sacrifice our modern life to rural area for our person that we love. The story of his life with his wife when they decided move to rural area because he was retired and his wife was sick.

5. As activists and human rights defenders, we should start everything from our self first. How we can build our self as a good person and always awareness with circles area. What can we do to solve problems related rural area especially farming. As we know that the rice problem is a big concern nowadays. We can help in our own way.

For MAINS students, each group made presentation on August 25, 2008. Their presentation was about their reflection and learning about rural regeneration.

Life in rural area is more collective than urban area is more individualistic. How they help each other is a good example that we must admire. Life is not always about power and money. Back to nature for week made me think of other dreams.

The 2008 Summer Regional School ‘Rural Regeneration in Asia’ was a good event. Joining this event, people became more concerned about rural area including the people and their products.

links:

http://www.518.org/

http://www.518interns.blogspot.com/