Schedule of Events

Click here for a full schedule of events for the World Conference.

Day 1: NGO Conference, Thursday, October 4, 2007 (from 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.)

We launch each day of the conference with the powerful testimony of two survivors. Representatives from non-governmental organizations ("NGOs") will gather to present country reports regarding their current efforts to obtain justice for the comfort women and strategize about a unified plan of action. Currently, representatives from 11 countries are confirmed, and we encourage other organizations to send representatives and participate. This event is open to the public and is free of charge.

Participating NGOs include: The Korean Council for the Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, The House of Sharing, Daegu Citizen Forum for Halmuni, Korea Chungshindae’s Institute, UN Human Rights Policy Center, Asia Peace and History Education Network, Korean Council for Redress and Reparations for the Victims of WWII Atrocities, Institute for Research in Collaborationist Activities, Committee on Measures for Compensation to Former Korean Comfort Women for Japanese Army" and Drafting Victims, Violence Against Women in War-Network Japan, Women's Active Museum on War and Peace, The Japanese Action Network for the Problem of Japanese Military Sexual Slavery, Japan Network for Redress, The Investigation Team on the Truth about Forced Korean Laborers in Japan, Women's Rescue Foundation of Taipei, Chinese Alliance for Commemoration of Sino-Japanese War Victims, The Indonesian Advocacy for Jugun Ianfu Networking, Asian Centre for Women's Human Rights, Lila-Pilipina, and the Asian Women Human Rights Council, Foundation of Japanese Honorary Debt, Korean Peace Group in Germany and Korean Women’s International Network in Germany, and Friends of "Comfort Women" in Australia.

Day 2: Academic Conference, Friday, October 5, 2007 (from 9 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.)

After the moving testimony of the "halmunis" (survivors), renowned scholars and experts will give panel presentations about the forgotten human rights of comfort women; explore the connections of militarism, colonialism, racism and sexism; and analyze current issues surrounding sexual violence against women and girls during wartime.

Students are encouraged to participate through paper submissions. Proposals should be submitted on or before September 15, 2007 and include: (1) Proposed title, names and contact information for authors; (2) A 250-word abstract of the paper; and (3) curriculum vitae. Papers exploring the experiences of "comfort women"; issues surrounding gender-based and sexual violence during war wartime; and trafficking are especially encouraged. Please submit to Professor JongHwa Lee (info@jmss.org).

Day 3: Legal Conference, Saturday, October 6, 2007 (from 9 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.)

After the third day of testimony by survivors and a keynote address by Patricia Sellers who served as Lead Prosecutor for the 2000 Women's International War Crimes Tribunal for the Trial of Japan's Military Sexual Slavery ("2000 Women's Tribunal"), pre-eminent legal scholars, jurists, prosecutors and practitioners will present on panels that explore the legacy of the 2000 Women's Tribunal, analyze the successes and failures of litigation efforts, and finalize a plan of action for obtaining restitution for comfort women. The conference will also address contemporary issues in gender-based sexual violence in wartime, trafficking, and modern-day sexual slavery.

Speakers include: Patricia Sellers (Office of the Prosecutor for the ICTY and ICTR), Indai Lourdes Sajor (UNDP), Nursyahbani Katjasungkana (Indonesian lawmaker), Professor Rhonda Copelon (CUNY Law School), Professor Eric Yamamoto (University of Hawai'i, School of Law), Professor Dinah Shelton (GW School of Law), Professor Ralph Steinhardt (GW School of Law), Professor Michael Bazyler (Whittier Law School), Professor William Aceves (California Western School of Law), Professor Kathleen Kim (Loyola Law School), and Charles Song (Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking).

Formal Reception, Saturday, October 6, 2007 (from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.)

On Saturday evening, after the legal conference, the World Conference will host a formal dinner reception and celebration of the honor and courage of the survivors and participants hailing from around the world. Congressman Michael Honda, the author and sponsor of House Resolution 121, demanding that Japan apologize for the crimes committed against the comfort women, will give the keynote address.

Day 4: Vigil on Sunday, October 7, 2007

The World Conference will culminate in a peace vigil to support the survivors. Time and Location TBA.

Cultural Events: All Days

Throughout the conference, various cultural events will be presented, including art exhibits, film screenings, and readings by students, local artists, and survivors. Brochure: for a brochure of the Conference, click here. For questions regarding any of the events during the Conference, click here.

 
 

Did you know . . .

The seven demands by the victims of Japanese military sexual slavery include:

  (1) Japan must admit that it forced women to serve as sexual slaves;
  (2) War crimes committed against "comfort women" must be investigated;
  (3) The Japanese Diet should issue an official apology;
  (4) Restitution should be made to the survivors and their families;
  (5) Japanese textbooks should accurately reflect the history of Japanese Military Sexual Slavery during WWII;
  (6) A memorial and museum should be built to commemorate the victims; and
  (7) Perpetrators must be punished.