National Human Rights Commission of Korea Annual Report 2021 3) Engaging in effective exchanges and cooperation, and tightening human rights governance The Commission has, since its inception, established partnerships with human rights and civil society groups as they are the very foundation of the Commission. It also remained opened to the views of the academia and experts, ensuring balance and professionalism in its programs. To support the various activities of human rights organizations, the Commission funded 11 programs on disabilities, adoptive families, human rights in sports, and human rights outside the metropolitan area. To strengthen communication and day-to-day cooperation with the civil society, the Commission hosted a meeting with HR groups in the first and second half of the year to hear their views on the Commission’s proposed plans and surveys. Their suggestions informed the Commission’s business planning and program execution. Despite the spread of COVID-19, the chairperson and commissioners made visits to housing for disabled persons who opted out of institutionalized facilities and a prison used for alternative service, monitoring the human rights conditions facing vulnerable groups and hearing their views on site. 4) Strengthening local human rights safeguards and building capacity of human rights offices The Commission has long been committed to laying the institutional foundation for safeguarding human rights at the local level. Consequently, 17 local governments enacted human rights ordinances, established offices, or designated personnel dedicated to human rights affairs, and launched Human Rights Committees. Moving forward, more efforts are needed to ensure that the safeguards work to strengthen human rights conditions at the local level. Meanwhile, more varied human rights advocacy players have emerged, contributing in one way or another. On August 25, the Commission hosted the 2021 Convention of Human Rights Advocates to discuss the status and prospects of human rights in the Korean society from their perspectives. The event was organized virtually due to COVID-19 concerns and was attended by 190 human rights commissioners from local governments, local human rights group activists, and representatives of college human rights centers and advocacy groups. It provided a venue to communicate and cooperate with diverse groups of advocates. 26