To mark the fifth Anniversary of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK), the Commission and the Korean Public Law Association (KPLA) organized a joint forum on December 1, 2006, to evaluate the five-year performance of the Commission and discuss its direction and vision. The forum" s intent was to give an opportunity to check and review the NHRCK" s current human rights projects and better equip the Commission to proactively respond to newly emerging human rights-related needs and demands from the public. During the forum, presentations on six subjects including " Korean Society and the NHRCK" were given. Following each presentation, officials from related organizations and outside experts exchanged their views, opinions, and insights on the theme, after which in-depth discourse took place under the theme, " The NHRCK" s Future Direction and Vision," making the forum a meaningful venue for discussion.
Meanwhile, to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the NHRCK and the 58th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the NHRCK held an international symposium entitled " Structures and Functions of NHRIs: A Search for Best Practices" on December 4, 2006. The intent was to better prepare the Commission for the future by sharing experiences with a variety of national human rights institutions (NHRIs), international organizations and civic groups as well as by studying the best practices of other NHRIs. Presentations were made on five subjects. Each presentation was enriched by subsequent discussion among experts and representatives of NHRIs, international organizations, and civic groups. Finally, a comprehensive discussion concluded the symposium, making the event all the more meaningful. The first subject was " Independence and Legal Status of NHRIs" , addressed by Mr. Michael Vetha Siromony, the Chief Coordinator of the Indian National Human Rights Commission. Mr. Zoemrotin Kasru Susilo, the Deputy Chairman of Indonesia" s National Commission for Human Rights (Komnas HAM), gave a presentation on the second subject, " Organizational Structures of NHRIs." Mr. No-Hyun Kwak, the Secretary General of the NHRCK, next gave a presentation on " Jurisdictions and the Scope of Authority of NHRIs." He was followed by Ms. Rosslyn Noonan, the Chief Commissioner of the New Zealand Human Rights Commission, who presented on " NHRIs Powers and Functions: Policy-making and Human Rights Education." The final subject, " NHRIs Powers and Functions: Investigation and Remedies" was addressed by Mr. Tseliso Thipanyane, the Chief Executive Officer of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The discussion panel was composed of a number of law scholars and civic activists from home and abroad.
