Annual Report

 

 

 

 First, I would like to welcome all the participants in this year"s General Meeting. Following, I would report on the activities and the accomplishments made this year.

 

1. On obtaining the status as an advisory NGO of Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage

 

Accreditation of WoMAU as an Advisory NGO of Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the 3rd session of the regular General Assembly of States Parties of Intangible Cultural Heritage took place in Paris, France from June 22 to 24, 2010. Up until the approval, as an observer WoMAU participated actively in the UNESCO meetings like the fourth session of the intergovernmental committee in Abu Dhabi, UAE from September 28 to October 2 and the 35th general conference from October 6 to October 8. Through these efforts, WoMAU was able to attain the status as an advisory NGO as well as Operational Relations with UNESCO.

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According to the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage and its Operational Directives, an advisory NGO shall provide administrative or legal services for inscribing on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, implementing activities mentioned in programs and projects for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage in the field of its competence and participating in the process of examination of international assistance and examination on efficiency of protection plan of ICH for inscribing on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

 

2. The visit to the UNESCO Headquarters for the discussion on the involvement in TSG (Traditional Sports and Games) networks.

 

Acting as the center of the international martial arts movement, president Byungyong Soh and his parties made a visit to Youth, Sport and Physical Education Section of UNESCO to discuss on certifying WoMAU and World Martial Arts Festival by UNESCO. (accrediting WoMAU and World Martial Arts Festival into the network on TSG.)

Issues discussed is as follows :

UNESCO"s reply on our request

‣ In relation to an international institution covering the TSG networks that UNESCO plans to set up, hoping to be part of the ongoing development based on its works accomplished so far as the central organization of world martial arts, WoMAU notified of its intention to proceed joint projects with UNESCO by the accreditation from UNESCO even before its establishment. In consideration of our request, UNESCO indicated to place WoMAU as the leader in the network for martial arts since currently there is no governing body that covers the network of TSG yet, it will consider WoMAU the center of traditional martial arts network of TSG.

‣ On the request to approve the World Martial Arts Festival as a UNESCO affiliated event, UNESCO said that it had never made permanent affiliation to any event. However, for each particular event, the relevant organization could request the patronage of UNESCO to the Secretary General in order to publicly state UNESCO"s support. In the case of World Martial Arts Festival, there would be positive feedback, and if the event continues on a regular basis, UNESCO could extend the terms to a certain period (about 3 to 5 years).

‣ Also, on the issue regarding the approval of the World Martial Arts Academy(WoMAA) as an educational institution of UNESCO, UNESCO has no precedent for it, so WoMAA should take same step for approval as World Martial Arts Festival.

‣ Considering the efforts of WoMAU as the center of world martial arts movement coincide with the works of UNESCO, UNESCO made a suggestion to establish the martial arts center(Category 2). So the proposal for the establishment from WoMAU would be positively examined by that department.

 

Following is the request from UNESCO.

 

‣ The proposal for World Martial Arts Academy to dispatch martial arts instructors to foreign countries, especially developing ones, for martial arts education. WoMAU expressed difficulties in raising funding for this activity, but suggested to provide the venue and data on the dispatch since the Korean government had been sending Tae-Kwondo instructors to developing countries.

‣ They said UNESCO planed to select two cities from each continent and open a TSG photo exhibition, and publicize related activities. UNESCO plans to hold this event in time for the World Sports Forum organized by IOC in Durban, South Africa. For this, UNESCO requested for budget for this event but we replied it was not possible for us to provide financial supports except the space, photos and event backing (martial arts performance) with members" agreement.

 

Other issue mentioned

 

‣ In order to introduce WoMAU officially on UNESCO"s website, WoMAU would provide UNESCO with a banner and information related to the Academy, festival, and activities.

‣ According to them, WoMAU can join the PCC(Permanent Consultative Council), a branch of PES(Physical Education and Sports), for active membership. To do so, WoMAU has to continually participate in the meetings as an observer.

These accomplishments would not only strengthen the position of WoMAU internationally, but also greatly contribute to the development and preservation of martial arts.

 

3. On September 10, 2010, UNESCO had included a link to WoMAU‘s official Website (www.womau.org) on the partners page of the Physical Education and Sport website. With this, All members across the world can have access to the latest news of WoMAU via UNESCO’s official Website. without time and space constraints.

 

UNESCO"s recent decision to officially post a link to WoMAU"s website on its partner"s page is considered to show expectations for WoMAU"s roles and contributions as an Advisory NGO for Intergovernmental Committee for ICH as well as an NGO in operational relations with UNESCO. Thus we ask for your active cooperation in introducing our member organizations" traditional martial arts in a more accurate, detailed, and up-to-date manner on our website.

 

4. Activities on Recruiting New Member

 

For 4 nights and 5 days of May 11 to 15, the president and the deputy secretary general of WoMAU made a return visit to the Shaolin temple, the Cultural Dep. of Hernan Provincial Government, and Hernan People"s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, to show the gratitude for the participating as an observer in last year"s general conference. WoMAU visiting group including Mr. SOH Byung Yong the president met Seok Yongshin the Buddhist Abbot of Shaolin temple, Chin Dalryang the Director and Hernan Provincial people, to discuss detailed procedures on becoming a member of WoMAU. In this meeting, the Cultural Dep. of Hernan Provincial Government demonstrated its policy on martial arts in Henan, and outlined the plans for enlisting Kung Fu and T"ai chi ch"uan on the ICH list. The officials highly appreciated the international martial arts movement and efforts by WoMAU to raise the awareness of the image of traditional martial arts to UNESCO-level, and giving credit for WoMAU as an advisory NGO of UNESCO they asked to give support for the approval Shaolin Kung Fu and T"ai chi ch"uan on to the UNESCO"s intangible heritage list.

 

Yet, it would take more time until the Shaolin"s official joining in the Union. Thus, we made an agreement that sending the demonstration team and an official observer to WoMAU event, primarily, planing to maintain cooperative relation with it first. The future membership issue would be discussed further with the government of Henan province.

 

5. On Construction of Martial Arts Theme Park and Relocation of Secretariat Office

 

With the support from City of Chungju, WoMAU was able to create a theme park which is 154,738 square meters in area and also the Martial Arts Museum which is 4,125 square meters in area consisting three floors aboveground and one floor underground. This complex includes various features, such as venues for performing arts, exhibitions, and office space. Built inside the UN Peace park, the Martial Arts Musuem would be used for composition for exhibition, experience, and showing. It is formative space, showing the history and evolution of the martial arts and it includes a variety of books and weapons from around the world. There is a plan for creating indoor performance venue. The secretariat would relocate to the martial arts museum, formally located in Chungju City hall, and has a plan to manage the complex as a whole in trust from Chungju city.

 

6. Since of August 1, 2009, the secretary general of WoMAU has been appointed in full-time.

 

Last year, US representative advised to need to strengthen and maintain the secretariat of WoMAU. Officials of Chungju acknowledged the need, and agreed to appoint a full-time secretary-general in place. In this regard, WoMAU has been delegating the operation and formation of the secretariat to the city of Chungju on economic grounds. Accordingly, the vice mayor of Chungju has been on the dual post, but with this decision WoMAU secretariat has newly lunched by a full-time secretary general.

 

City of Chungju and WoMAU has been lobbying to Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of the South Korean government for developing a Category II institution of UNESCO through building tentatively named "The International Marital Arts Center".

 

As our members are already aware, WoMAU has earned status of an advisory NGO to UNESCO through persistent participation in UNESCO"s Intangible Cutural Heritage works.

Our current works pertains to working with TSG(Traditional Sports and Games) of UNESCO. expecting an important role in the field of UNESCO"s TSG, WoMAU plans to bring support to build an International Marital Arts Center. A category II institution of UNESCO is instated as an international institution by and is in cooperation with UNESCO which is established with a financial backing. from UNESCO member states. After receiving agreement from the South Korean government, WoMAU would inform the members of WoMAU on this issue in detail and discuss of the ways to participate in it.

 

7. The 2010 World Martial Arts Festival, accredited as an event under the patronage of UNESCO

 

The 2010 World Martial Arts Festival accredited as an event under the patronage of UNESCO being held now is the only international event under the patronage of UNESCO in the field of martial arts. Considering World Martial Arts Festival is closely related to UNESCO"s pursuit of strengthening solidarity between the members and increasing sense of community through promoting TSG, and also consistent to UNESCO"s projects and programs in aspect of education, and mutual understanding between different cultures, UNESCO finally made its decision to give its official patronage.

As of last September, 10 the 2010 World Martial Arts Festival which is being held now.

 

8. I will present about the future plan of the Secretariat.

 

First, the secretariat will try to establish itself as an real international organization by increasing the number. I would like to ask for your recommendation and encouragement for many competent organizations to join us.

 

Second, Korean government was advised to set up Category 2 Centre and play a role as an international platform in partnership with the Union as part of the policy of physical education in the field of the Traditional Sports and Games. Thus, we will make an effort to establish the international martial arts institute through discussion with UNESCO at any cost.

 

Third, as an advisory NGO of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of UNESCO ICH, we will run an academic committee composed of professional traditional martial artists and scholars abroad to provide legal and administrative services such as registration on the list of ICH in need of Urgent safeguarding, suggestions on programs, projects and activities to implement the Agreement for the Safeguarding of UNESCO ICH and examination on international assistance of over US$25000. My hope is for the member organizations to recommend and encourage experts or scholars with capacity to join WoMAU so that it can establish its international status and raise its awareness and capacity.

 

Fourth, the WoMAU secretariat will make continuous efforts for its development in order that World Martial Arts Festival can be a representative cultural event that UNESCO can boast. In addition, we will make an effort with continuous interests for raising awareness of the image of traditional martial arts by processing joint projects with UNESCO.

 

Through these projects the UNION will strive to improve itself for its development.

 

Let"s cooperate all together with pride in our job to expend peaceful atmosphere such as friendship and cultural exchange through martial arts, mankind"s great property, to the whole world.

 

As the mentioned above, I will finish the annual report.