www.humanrights.go.kr Chapter 4 Exchanges and Cooperation in Korea and Abroad Section 1. Overview Pursuant to the Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions and subparagraphs 8 and 9 of Article 19 of the NHRC Act, the Commission is striving to safeguard and promote human rights through exchanges and cooperation with human rights groups, individuals, and human rights-related international organizations at home and abroad. Part II Exchange and cooperation with domestic human rights groups region to set up human rights offices in areas without an established presence. Meetings with human rights organizations and civil groups in Wonju and Chuncheon helped raise interest in the Commission activities and human rights. Notably, the workshop with human rights activists and civic activists in Gangwon helped strengthen regional networks, raise human rights sensitivity, and share information regarding the role and importance of human rights offices. The Commission will continue to maintain a close cooperation with relevant organizations in Gangwon Province and offer its support for active human rights advocacy in the region prior to the opening of the Gangwon Human Rights Office in 2017. In view of expanding the foundation for cooperation, the Commission organized a meeting with the human rights club federation of law schools to enhance their understanding of the Commission’s activities and position regarding major human rights issues. In order to strengthen the network with human rights groups and identify new human rights issues, the Commission implemented a joint programme to extend state funding for key human rights goals by these human rights groups. The total amount of funding for this purpose was 115 million won for 14 initiatives, including development of communication tools to support a human rights survey of persons with disabilities in care facilities and organizing a human rights fair in Wonju. 87 Commission's Major Activities In 2016, the Commission worked with human rights organizations in the Gangwon Province