Let's create a yard for 5ㆍ18 discourse among global citizens

5ㆍ18 International Research Institute - Spreading the 5ㆍ18 Discourse by Communicating with the Region, Generations, and the World

The 5ㆍ18 Memorial Foundation (Chairman Won Soon-seok) is commemorating the 44th anniversary of the May 18th Uprising by organizing various academic events to communicate with local, generational, and global communities to spread the May 18th research discourse. We look forward to the participation of interested researchers and citizens.

1. “The Meaning of the Mokpo Area High School Student Movement through the Lens of Jeonnam Righteousness Education”

- Co-hosting an academic concert to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the death of the late Park Seung-hee

On May 10 (Friday), the 5‧18 International Research Institute will host an academic concert in collaboration with the Jeollanam-do Education Research and Information Center, the Jeollanam-do Provincial Committee for the Commemoration of the 5‧18 Uprising, and the Park Seung-hee Spirit Succession Project. The event is a learning yard for high school students to learn about the history of the Jeonnam education democratic movement and discuss the life of Park Seung-hee. Prior to the event, the 5ㆍ18 International Institute and the Jeollanam-do Education Research and Information Center will hold an MOU signing ceremony to inherit the 5ㆍ18 spirit and promote academic projects in the region.

ㆍDate: May 10, 2024 (Fri), 13:30 ~

ㆍLocation: Joint Lecture Room, Jeollanam-do Education Research and Information Center

2. “May of Me, Meet the Records.”

- International Conference to Commemorate the 13th Anniversary of the Inscription of the 5ㆍ18 Records as a World Heritage Site, co-sponsored by the 5ㆍ18 Democratic Movement Archives

The 5ㆍ18 International Research Institute, together with the 5ㆍ18 Democratic Movement Archive, will co-host an academic event on May 16 (Thursday) and 17 (Friday) to inherit the spirit of May and explore the academic value of the 5ㆍ18 Records as a World Heritage Site. The conference will be divided into three sessions: Session 1: Oral History Research, Session 2: Documentary Records Research, and Session 3: World Heritage Research, where experts from relevant organizations in Korea will discuss the current status and future directions of World Heritage research. A number of foreign researchers, including Yuko Manabe (University of Tokyo, Japan) and Landon E. Hancock (Kent State University, USA), will participate in this event to enrich the academic discussions with domestic researchers.

ㆍDate : May 16 (Thu) ~ 17 (Fri), 2024

ㆍLocation : 5ㆍ18 Democratic Movement Archives 7F

3. “We study 5ㆍ18 & Gwangju” - Miri Class, Tübingen University students in Korea visit Gwangju

- Joint 5ㆍ18 Academy Networking Program with the 5ㆍ18 Democratic Movement Education Center

The 5ㆍ18 International Institute conducts the “Miri Class” international education program with the 5ㆍ18 Democratic Movement Education Center to spread the spirit of 5ㆍ18 internationally and foster future researchers. This year, 30 students from the University of Tübingen, Germany, participated in the pilot program and visited the 5ㆍ18 Eve Festival, 5ㆍ18 historical sites, and held discussions on 5ㆍ18 through expert lectures. Students from the Department of Korean Studies at the University of Tübingen, Germany, have been studying in Korea for a year as exchange students, visiting Andong Cultural Center and the DMZ to learn about Korean culture. This year, they will visit Gwangju for the first time to learn and experience the history and culture of the May 18th. The 5ㆍ18 International Institute will continue to cooperate with the University of Tübingen, Germany, and develop educational programs for foreign university students in Korea.

ㆍDate: May 17 (Fri) ~19 (Sun), 2024

ㆍVenue: 5ㆍ18 Democratic Movement Education Center, 5ㆍ18 Memorial Culture Center, etc. in Gwangju

4. “Inside and Outside of 5ㆍ18: Imagining and Prospecting Future Communities in an Era of Great Regression”

- 1st 5ㆍ18 Researchers' Conference, co-organized by Chonnam National University 5ㆍ18 Institute

The 5ㆍ18 International Research Institute, together with the 5ㆍ18 Research Institute of Chonnam National University and the 5ㆍ18 Truth and Reconciliation Commission, is organizing the 1st 5ㆍ18 Researchers' Conference to establish a platform for researchers working in various fields to share and communicate their research results and promote academic exchange and cooperation. Starting with a panel discussion inviting author Hoseok Kim, the event will feature 11 sessions over the course of two days, bringing together the discourse on 5‧18 research, including truth, trauma, past closure, gender, peace, and spiritual succession, and will be attended by about 70 researchers.

ㆍDate: May 23 (Thu) ~ 24 (Fri), 2024

ㆍLocation: Yongbong Hall, Chonnam National University Headquarters, Kim Namju Hall, Humanities Building 1, etc.

5. “How are memories of democracy and human rights connected”

- Youth Academic Concert, co-organized with Gwangju Regional Public Policy Platform

The 5‧18 International Research Institute selected two organizations through a competition for this year's joint conference. The institute will co-host the youth academic concert “How are memories of democracy and human rights connected?” with Gwangju Road, a regional public policy platform. This event will be a time to consider what the discourse and spirit of democracy and human rights means from the perspective of young people (future generations), and to talk about examples from Gwangju and other regions for sustainable solidarity.

ㆍDate: May 29, 2024 (Wed) 13:30 ~

ㆍLocation: NGO Citizen Floor, 245, 4F, Jeonil Building

Meanwhile, the 5ㆍ18 International Research Institute will hold the 2024 5ㆍ18 Emerging Researchers Workshop (May Lab) from June 27 (Thursday) to 29 (Saturday) and the 5ㆍ18 International Forum on the theme of “The Future of Memory, Commemoration, and Solidarity” from August 29 (Thursday) to 30 (Friday). By promoting 5ㆍ18 academic events at home and abroad, the Foundation is striving to create a yard for 5ㆍ18 discourse that is both local and global.