Call for Applications for 2010 Gwangju Asian Human Rights Folk School
South Korea
August 30- September 17, 2010

Background
            The Gwangju Asian Human Rights Folk School will take as its model the Folk School System, an informal schooling concept, which first began in Denmark in 1844 through the efforts of the poet and educator Nikolai F.S. Grundtvig, which to this day continues to operate in several northern European countries.
The aim of the Gwangju Asian Human Rights Folk school is to introduce the participants to the Korean history in general and to various movements in the struggle for democracy, including the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, through both theoretical and practical experiences such as seminars, discussions, presentation, workshop and field trips to the sites of democratization movements in Korea and Asia.
            The Gwangju Asian Human Rights Folk School 2010 strives to contribute to the development of democracy and human rights through out Asia by hosting 20 invitees from all over Asia who have been working for human rights and peace organizations in their own countries. They will be given an opportunity to learn and experience the history and development process of human rights and democracy in Republic of Korea. The Folk School will also serve as an opportunity for participants to exchange and network with other human rights activists.
            The May 18 Memorial Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2010 Gwangju Asian Human Rights Folk School. This year, the application process is being made more competitive to screen the number of applications. The emphasis is on organizational partnership, so applicants endorsed by their organization will be given priority. Since the foundation will not be able to provide multiple translations, English language will be the medium for exchange.

Application Procedures and Requirements:
Interested parties may apply to the following categories:

• Junior Staff – 8 participants (with 2-5 years work experience)
• Middle Management/Advisory- 8 participants (with 5-15 work years experience)
• Senior/Director- 4 participants (with more than work 15 years experience)

Please ensure that the following documentations are enclosed with your application (scan PDF format and send as email attachments):
1.    A scanned copy of your valid and not expired passport.
2.    Updated CV/Resume detailing your work and job responsibilities.
3.    An application letter signifying your interest in the folk school signed and endorsed by your superior or the head of your organization.
4.    Expectations, objectives, focus of interests on the human rights folk school.
5.    Proof of organization’s legal identity or registration.
6.    Passport-size photo
Applicants should ensure that they have no potential visa problems. If an applicant is denied entry to Korea because of personal history which they did not disclose to the May 18 Memorial Foundation, the foundation will absolutely not cover their travel expenses. This is the applicant’s responsibility.
If an applicant later decides not to come to the Folk School (cancels their application) after they have accepted a place, the May Memorial Foundation will not accept any applications from their organization for three years.
Applicants must fill up the attached application form and send thru email, [email protected] on or before May 31, 2010.  For more information about this program and specific guidelines of the application, please contact the said email address.

 Expenses:
The May 18 Memorial Foundation will cover the following expenses:

• Visa fees
• International airfare to Korea
• Transportation in Korea

The following expenses will NOT be covered:

• Internal transportation, including internal flights, in your country (for example, to the airport or to the embassy)
• Official fees other than visa fees (for example, travel tax)