inclusive city practices
Gwangju, Republic of Korea
Gwangju government has been at the forefront of human rights advocacy throughout the history of the Republic of Korea, playing a pivotal role in the 1980 Democratization Movement and as the first Asian city to have a declaration of human rights as early as 1998. Since 2011 the city has also hosted the annual World Human Rights Cities Forum (WHRCF) now celebrating its sixth successive year in 2016. Meanwhile, groups and NGOs in the city work closely together focusing on reconciliation and collaboration in efforts to abolish discrimination totally and build human rights governance. Institutionally, Gwangju has enacted Democracy, Human Rights, and Peace Development Ordinance 2007, and several other regulations for the protection of socially disadvantaged populations. The city was the host of the 2012 APCAD Conference titled“ Creative Cities for Global Security and Peace”, as well as, Global Human Rights Cities Network in 2011, Gwangju International Peace Forum in 2009, World Women’s Peace Forum in 2007, Gwangju Prize for Human Rights in 2000.
Darebin, Australia
With a population close to 150,000, Darebin in the State of Victoria, Australia is yet home to one of the largest and most diverse communities anywhere in the State in terms of cultures, language (where more than 118 languages are spoken), religions, socio-economic background, employment status, occupation, and housing needs. The first APCAD member to share their implementation plan, Darebin Council published a Racism Inquiry Report (2012) responding to findings in a national report that their level of racism was higher than the national average. Embarking on an ambitious program of 300 phone surveys, an online survey, numerous focus groups and a public forum, a new Steering Committee was established followed by the publication of a Anti-Racism Strategy (2012- 2015) building upon the National Anti-Racism Partnership and Strategy (2012). Today, the Council has a number of successful initiatives operating including an online anonymous public reporting initiative called” Report Racism”; “Say No to Racism” comprehensive training package; and their “Racism-It Stops with Me” campaign.
Pinoy Plus, Philippines
Among the presenters at the 2011 APCAD Sub- Regional Conference in Manila, the participation of Pinoy Plus provides a remarkable example of how LGUs working with CSOs can offer unique experiences that contribute to more effective programs against discrimination. As a national level CSO and organization of people living with HIV/AIDS, a direct insight was shared into the types of discrimination experienced by victims and the changing attitudes within the health system over the years. Undertaking extensive research and developing a “stigma index” for people living with the disease, Pinoy Plus, was able to identify the varying degrees of stigma; those groups most vulnerable to rights abuses and challenges to government programs such as around counselling, testing and disclosing status. Using their findings, they were also able to successfully advocate for the national review of HIV/AIDS Law in the Philippines and also introduce improved education initiatives among highly susceptible populations addressing the most important barrier to public action, being discrimination among affected communities.
Suva, Fiji
As Fiji’s political and administrative capital, Suva City, has led the way for many reforms across the country including the elimination of discrimination in schools by promoting diversity across the teaching of languages and a mobile library service to help increase accessibility to education for all. One of only a handful of Pacific Island Countries to have ratified the ICERD, the city and indeed country is also one of few to host an active Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission across the sub-region. Fiji’s fourth constitution signed into law in 2013 was the first to eliminate race-based electoral rolls, race- based seat quotes, holding elimination of discrimination as a “non-negotiable principle” and possessing one of the most exhaustive and inclusive lists of grounds of discrimination in the world. Meanwhile, accepting 112 out of 138 recommendations at the recent Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council in 2015, Fiji has been lauded by civil society groups as demonstrating a positive step towards a sustainable democracy although enforcement, legislation and reporting remain a challenge.
Municipal Association of Nepal
Applying international instruments and then integrating them into national legal systems, the example of Nepal illustrates the importance of using effective tools and legislation to address discrimination associated with an urban-rural divide. A multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi- religious country, 86% of the population in 2011 (today at 81.6%) are from rural areas. Despite this, research shows the human development index is still far higher in urban areas indicating better opportunities and access to services and facilities, especially for those of a higher caste. Taking legislative action to combat this, Nepal unanimously adopted in Parliament the Caste- based Discrimination and Untouchability Act (2011) imposing penalties of up to 3 years imprisonment and fines of up to Rs 25,000 (approx. $235 USD) for reported caste-based discrimination, although fear of reprisal and implementation remains an ongoing challenge (Pun 2014). Elsewhere, new governmental non- discrimination policy has paved the way for municipal interventions and mass media to raise public awareness and tackle human rights.
china
In China, inclusive education for children with special educational needs and disabilities is currently practised as ‘Learning in Regular Classrooms’ (LRC). The education for children with SEND in China has two dominant placement models: LRC (Learning in Regular Classroom, sui ban jiu du) and special schools. LRC is known as the Chinese local practices of inclusive education, as it encourages mainstream schools to admit children with disabilities and accordingly make arrangement to accommodate their needs. The LRC model aims to offer government-supported arrangements for children with special educational needs to be educated in neighborhood schools with their non-disabled peers. The latest data show that 50.15% of students with disabilities in primary and junior high school stage in China attended regular schools through LRC (MoE 2020). The latest special education policy in 2017 updated the guiding framework: ‘LRC is the main body; special schools are the backbone; home education and distant learning are complementary parts; and inclusive education is to be promoted all-around’.