1. Basic Policy

   The Asia-Pacific Human Rights Information Center (HURIGHTS OSAKA) will be celebrating its 10^th anniversary of its establishment in 2004, which also happens to be the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition. It is likewise the final year of the UN Decade for Human Rights Education (1995-2004) as well as the International Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples (1995-2004). The United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development is also set to start in January 2005.
   HURIGHTS OSAKA was established on July 22, 1994 with the cooperation of Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, other municipalities within the Osaka Prefecture, and human rights, labour as well as economic organizations, to contribute to the promotion of human rights in the Asia- Pacific region, as a focal point for human rights information.
   In this 10^th anniversary year, we will continue and enhance the achievements that we have made, to strengthen our functions as a human rights information center and to respond to expectations both in Japan and abroad. We will be moving into the second stage to focus in the following target areas maintaining a local, national, regional and international perspective.


2. Focus Targets

1. Strengthening Human rights information center capacities
   The capacities as a human rights information center is central to HURIGHTS OSAKA, and strengthening its information collection and dissemination capacities according to HURIGHTS OSAKA's distinctive features, is one of our continuing concerns. In FY 2003, we started to reorganize our library database system, based on our material collection, selection and disposal policy.
   In FY 2004, we will publish a catalogue of our books/materials and make our library database available on the Internet. (Web-OPAC link) and further promote effective use. We will also strengthen material exchange with human rights organizations in Japan and abroad to enhance our network for information collection.
   In order to further strengthen our information dissemination functions, our website will be further enhanced to function as a portal site for international human rights information in English, Korean and Chinese as well as Japanese. Further, our publication capacities will be enhanced, including publication of a new human rights series, and production of videos, in addition to our existing newsletters (Kokusai Jinken Hiroba and FOCUS (also available as electronic data)) and mail magazines.

2. Promotion of research for the realization of regional protection of human rights
   HURIGHTS OSAKA will strengthen its research activities to promote the realization of regional human rights protection. Implementation of Japan's ODA Guidelines and the environmental guidelines for Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will be an area of our concern. We will also study the activities and roles of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF), ASEAN, ASEM, ESCAP, ASPBAE and the Global Compact. In addition, we will collect materials for a database on the dissemination of international human rights standards, the promotion of the second half of the UN Decade for Human Rights Education, national human rights institutions based on the UN Paris principles, and issues regarding the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development and other UN Decades.
   For that purpose, HURIGHTS OSAKA will enhance the human rights field study activities, to create a database on international human rights information, and strengthen country-based and topic-based studies. We will also continue with the regional activities on human rights education in Asian schools for the promotion of the UN Decade for Human Rights Education, as well as summarize the activities taken under the Decade in the countries in the Asia-Pacific to clarify the issues for a second Decade.
   The publication "Asia Pacific Human Rights Review" will be improved by setting up an editorial committee, as well as organizing meetings for research, the results of which will be published in the "Review."

3. Dissemination and promotion of international human rights standards in Japan
   The Citizens' Forum, an awareness-raising event for the local public, will be co-organized with Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City in July. The event will promote the achievement of one of our purposes, which is to raise human rights awareness to correspond to the age of internationalization. There will be a presentation of the HURIGHTS OSAKA Award 2004 for International Human Rights Education Materials during the event. Also, a commemorative publication will be published and a reception held for the occasion.
   HURIGHTS OSAKA will continue to hold regular "wai-wai seminars" to inform the local public on international human rights issues, such as the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, which recently entered into force, as well as the process of drafting the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. We will also continue to co-sponsor seminars with other organizations including the "international human rights study meeting" co-sponsored with the Buraku Liberation Human Rights Research Institute, multi-cultural education seminar co-sponsored with the Japan Education Cooperation Network, and multi-cultural policy forum in cooperation with other organizations.
   HURIGHTS OSAKA will cooperate with the 56^th General Meeting of the National Dowa Educators' Association (ZENDOKYO) which will be held in Osaka in November (approximately 20,000 participants). We will also continue to organize international human rights poster exhibitions, education material workshops to facilitate use of our Center by children, students and educators.

4. Strengthening consultation service, publication and public relations activities as well as increase membership
   The current low interest conditions are posing difficulties for organizations like us, which operate on interest on the foundation fund. Securing stable income is critical for continued promotion of our activities.
   For that purpose, HURIGHTS OSAKA will secure stable revenues from its fund, as well as enhance membership by establishing a new membership status for students.
   We will strengthen and improve further our public relations / publication activities as well as consultation and information activities. We will promote videos and publications, which can be used as materials in the comprehensive and human rights class, and develop new markets, to market the materials to related organizations. We will also actively promote membership and search possibilities of funding from other organizations including the ODA.


Specific Activities

1. Information Handling

1. Publication of the Library Catalogue
   Based on the material collection, selection and disposal policy, and with outside advice, we will collect materials on human rights situations of different countries in the Asia-Pacific, materials related to human rights education and human rights treaties. We will also publish a catalogue on the materials we have collected as part of our 10^th anniversary activities.
   
   
2. Library Database Management
   We will continue to improve and reorganize our data base system, as well as work towards making our database accessible on the Internet.
   
   
3. Participation in International Conferences/ Seminars
   We will participate in international conferences, seminars, etc sponsored by UN and other organizations, such as the APF Annual Meeting, to collect information and enhance networking in the Asia-Pacific.
   
   
4. Information Exchange through the Computer Network
   Using the website and e-mail, we will collect and provide human rights information in Japan and in the Asia-Pacific. We will also actively engage in information exchange with NGOs abroad. We will enhance the contents of the English and Japanese websites, as well as work on the multilingual versions, including Korean and Chinese sites,
   
   
5. Domestic Studies for Information Collection
   HURIGHTS OSAKA will participate in conferences and meetings organized by the national and local governments, NGOs and other organizations in Japan, to collect information regarding human rights, and strengthen networking. In particular, we will cooperate with the 56^th General Meeting of the National Dowa Educators' Association (ZENDOKYO), to network with human rights educators from all over Japan.
   

2. Research

1. Regional Cooperation Activities for the promotion of the UN Decade for HRE in Asia
   Since 1995, we have been continuing to work on international activities to promote the UN Decade for Human Rights Education. HURIGHTS OSAKA will use the network established through the past activities, to conduct a 4-country study on human rights education programs, as well as publish the "HRE in Asian Schools Vol. VIII." To clarify the achievements and challenges of the UN Decade with a view towards the Second Decade, we will assess the initiatives taken under the Decade in various countries in the Asia-Pacific.
   
   
2. Human Rights Field Study
   The Human Rights Field Study on human rights situations in various countries in the Asia-Pacific will be strengthened, while maintaining our concern on the implementation of Japan's ODA. Follow-up studies will be continued for the Philippine and Cambodian studies. In FY 2004, we will initiate a study on South Asia, and for the first year, conduct a study tour in India.
   
   
3. Studies into Creation of an International Human Rights Database
   HURIGHTS OSAKA will collect information regarding human rights organizations abroad and in Japan to create a database on international human rights information in the Asia-Pacific. With outside support, we will also continue to work on the directory of human rights organizations and NGOs. In particular, we will conduct studies on activities and roles of organizations, such as APF, ASEAN, ASEM, ESCAP and ASPBAE.
   
   
4. Organization of the Planning Committee
   We will organize the Planning Committee meetings (twice annually) for advice on our activities. We will also organize project teams for advice on the 10^th anniversary projects, research and publication activities.
   
   
5. Publication of Asia-Pacific Human Rights Review 2005
   We will organize an editorial committee to enhance the Asia-Pacific Human Rights Review 2005, with a view to further enhance its contents. For that purpose, we will organize Review study meetings on a regular basis with research volunteers.
   

3. Research

1. Staff training
   We will arrange opportunities for human rights training in the Asia-Pacific, towards enhancing staff capacity.
   
   
2. Lectures
   Staff will give lectures on request on basic human rights issues, and their areas of expertise will be actively promoted. We will make use of the videos for participatory learning, to conduct workshops for preparing training plans and education materials.
   
   
3. Wai-wai seminars
   We will continue to hold wai-wai seminars on a regular basis to provide the most recent information, such as the introduction of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families and the process towards the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.
   
   
4. 10^th Anniversary Event and Citizens' Forum
   As part of our activities for the second half of the UN Decade for HRE, we will hold a Forum in July with the Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City as HURIGHTS OSAKA's 10^th Anniversary Event. Other anniversary events include a commemorative publication as well as an anniversary reception.
   
   
5. International Human Rights Teaching Materials Award
   HURIGHTS OSAKA will call for entries in a contest for the most innovative international human rights teaching materials from both Japan and abroad for the HURIGHTS OSAKA Award 2004 as part of our 10^th anniversary events. The Award, with 200,000 yen prize will be given out during the Citizens' Forum in July.
   
   
6. Co-organized Study Meetings and Seminars
   We will continue to co-organize international human rights study meetings with the BLHRRI, to build networks with researchers and experts in the Kansai area, as well as provide opportunity for staff training. We will also organize public seminars and other meetings, which are compatible with HURIGHTS OSAKA's objectives, with other human rights organizations, to facilitate use of the Center, as well as building networks. HURIGHTS OSAKA will cooperate in hosting the 56^th General Meeting of ZENDOKYO in Osaka in November, to promote our organization to human rights educators from all over the country.
   
   
7. Publication of Awareness Raising Comic Books
   We will publish awareness raising booklets, explaining human rights issues in familiar situations, under commission of Osaka Prefecture.
   
   
8. Regular Poster Exhibitions and Panels/Posters Lease
   We will continue to lend posters and panels on international human rights, which we have collected. To maximize use of HURIGHTS OSAKA by the faculty of elementary, secondary and tertiary schools, we will hold regular international human rights poster exhibitions, which we started in summer 2003.
   
   
9. Participation in One-world Festival, etc.
   We will continue to participate in One-world Festival, in which international cooperation and exchange organizations in the Kansai area come together, and other such events to introduce our activities, as well as build networks.
   

4. Publication

1. Publication of Kokusai Jinken Hiroba and FOCUS
   We will publish our Japanese newsletter Kokusai Jinken Hiroba (bimonthly) and English newsletter FOCUS (quarterly), which introduces the latest human rights information, to contribute to the human rights awareness raising of the people of Osaka and strengthen network with other human rights organizations. FOCUS will also be published in PDF to be distributed in Japan and abroad.
   
   
2. Publication and Production of Videos on International Human Rights Issues
   HURIGHTS OSAKA will strengthen its publication activities, to provide up-to-date information on international human rights issues, human rights situations in the Asia-Pacific, and emerging human rights issues in Japan due to its internationalization, to local government staff, human rights officers in companies and the general public. In particular, we will begin publishing a series on international human rights issues as a guide or textbook based on our research studies.
   We will also produce and distribute videos on international human rights issues, human rights situations in the Asia-Pacific and emerging human rights issues in Japan due to its internationalization to be used as teaching materials in comprehensive and human rights classes.
   
   
3. Enhancing Membership
   To increase support and cooperation as well as to develop our activities and stabilize revenue, we will continue to publish flyers to publicize and promote membership. For FY2004, we will establish a new membership status for students, and improve membership privileges.
   
   
4. Publication of the Annual Report
   Annual reports will continue to be published in Japanese and English to inform international human rights organizations about our activities.
   
   
5. Reprint of Publications
   Reprints of videos and publications will be widely distributed, and existing videos and publications revised.
   

5. Consultation Service

1. Strengthening Consultation Services
   In order to respond to user needs and to provide the latest information, we will collect newspapers, magazines and subscription material as well as strengthen our network through information exchange. The collected information will be reflected in our consultation services. We will also provide information to projects by public organizations on human rights information dissemination and consultation using the Internet.
   
   
2. Consultation on Information and Training
   We will respond to inquiries on our materials and information as well as on research and training, as well as introduce other human rights organizations as appropriate. HURIGHTS OSAKA will also promote advisory service regarding planning and conducting human rights awareness raising projects to members.