Report on UNESCO International TSG Martial Arts Center

 

1. On the background of promoting the International Martial Arts Center

 

The Intergovernment Committee for Physical education and sport (CIGEPS) was established in 1978 after adopting "International Charter on Physical Education and Sports". Following, at MINEPS III in Uruguay, 1999 acknowledged the importance of TSG to be part of ICH and cultural diversity and adopted the declaration of Punta del Est.

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After analyzing UNESCO"s business plans and the legislations for TSG, we came to the conclusion that traditional martial arts is one of the main interest in TSG.

 

For this, WoMAU would use the background on our focus on the development and preservation of traditional martial arts in each countries to develope a category II "International TSG/International Martial Arts Center" of UNESCO under the Korean government and Chungju city based on our international traditional martial art network and Martial Arts Theme Park.

 

UNESCO is a specialized institution under the United Nations to develop culture, and sports. UNESCO pursues its objective through international cooperation of experts and government institutions, and NGOs.

 

2.UNESCO & TSG

 

raditional Sports and Games is a branch under Physical Education and Sport of UNESCO. Traditional sports and games are part of intangible heritage and a symbol of the cultural diversity of our societies. They are also an efficient means to convey values of solidarity, diversity, inclusiveness and cultural awareness. UNESCO works to preserve, promote and develop TSG, and to ensure that they form an integral part of national and development strategies.

On the occasion of MINEPS III, held in Punta del Este, Uruguay, in 1999, the international community proposed that a significant action from UNESCO could be initiated within the framework for the promotion and preservation of traditional games and sports. In this regard, two important proposals have been made during MINEPS III. One of them is the publication of a world heritage list of traditional games and sports and the other the implementation of an incentive framework for the promotion and the preservation of these sports that should lead to the establishment of an "International Platform" for traditional games and sports.

 

Later in 2003, as a purpose of reviewing follow-up measures of MINEPS III, the ministers of representative countries asked for round-table conference to the President at the 31st session of UNESCO"s General Conference. MINEPS VI highlighted the importance of traditional sports and games and recommended concrete provisions for its promotion and development. The 33rd session of UNESCO’s General Conference drew on these recommendations to design the Organization’s strategies regarding traditional sports and games.

 

As a result, the Resolution 33C/R21 enabled the organization of a collective consultation at UNESCO’s headquarters, on 13 March 2006, aimed at creating an international platform for the promotion and development of traditional sports and games. In this meeting, a concrete roadmap and an agenda for action were adopted.

 

Currently, the work of TSG is carried out by the Youth, Sports, and Physical Education Section in Division of Social Sciences, Research and Policy.

 

3. Concerning The TSG International Center of Martial Arts "s legal status, structure, and cooperation with UNESCO

 

This Institution"s official name is "UNESCO Category II International The TSG International Center of Martial Arts " and it will obtain the legal status of an autonomous non-profit incorporated entity under the relevant laws of the Republic of Korea as well as a UNESCO Category II institute.

 

The TSG International Center of Martial Arts opens its doors for all organizations and individuals interested in martial arts including the UNESCO member nations, martial arts organizations, martial arts research organizations and institutes, and each nation"s UNESCO Council for their participation. Its goal is to serve as the international platform of martial arts under the aegis of UNESCO, working for advancement of the policy objectives of UNESCO in the field of the traditional sports and games.

 

There would be a Governing Board as the over sighting and decision -making body. The Board would be so constituted as to have representation in a balanced manner of the Korea government, UNESCO Director-General"s office, martial arts specialists with international standing, member states of UNESCO concerned with the subject, and other stake holder groups. As the executive organ, under the Governing Board"s direction, there would be a Secretariat headed by a general secretary, whose appointment should be effected in consultation with the Director-General of UNESCO, in accord with the UNESCO"s guidelines concerning the appointment to such position. The Secretariat is expected to be staffed with personnel equiped with the relevant expertise. The governments (either the central or local)may loan their officials according to such needs, especially at the beginning stage. Likewise, UNESCO"s seconding on temporary basis, its expert(s) may be sought after depending upon a situation which gives rise to such move.

 

The TSG International Center of Martial Arts will receive professional and technical advice and support from UNESCO for management including the organizational structure and inauguration, and will participate in the CIGEPS and TSG conferences and events in observational capacities. Also, information about TSG/martial arts will be provided for the UNESCO website and technical support, advice, and cooperation in training personnel and building their managerial capabilities as well as developing the Institute"s TSG/martial arts leadership training program will be provided by UNESCO.

 

4. Concerning the objectives, functions, and operations in general

 

TSG is part of intangible cultural heritages, symbol of cultural diversity across the world, and also is an effective means to convey values imperative in furthering peace and development in human society such as solidarity, diversity, inclusiveness and cultural identity in harmony of others" guided by such tenets the TSG International Center of Martial Arts will undertake following projects, inter alia.

 

‣ Collect, preserve, exchange and disseminate martial arts materials and information of all countries. For this end,

- Set up an international martial arts information center

- Operate web-site & Publish periodicals

- Operate world martial arts library cum museum

- Edit and publish world"s traditional or native martial arts "compendium"

‣ Preserve and disseminate martial arts

- Support preservation project of martial arts of the world, in conjunction with UNESCO

- Create and maintain collaboration network with advisory NGOs to the Intergovernmental Committee of ICH

- Organize and hold international martial arts festivals.

‣ Make contribution to development of individual persons, society, nation and the world by propagating the cultural and educational value of martial arts.

- Organize and host seminars and academic meetings

- Operate educational program for international martial arts leaders

‣ Promote international campaign for martial arts for the youth

- Organize the world martial arts youths Jamborees

 

In order to operate the Center in a stable and sustainable manner and to undertake constructive projects, The TSG International Center of Martial Arts strives to secure finances as stated below.

 

‣ The City of Chungju will provide 500 million won annually for the basic operations budget of the Center in addition to the construction of the World Martial Arts Museum and martial arts performance facility.

‣ The Korean government (the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism) and the national association for development of sports under the umbrella of the government will financially support with projects.

‣ Donations can be raised by offering tax benefits to donors as a tax-exempt entity under the relevant laws.

‣ Contents can be sold to the entertainment industry such as films and events including the World Martial Arts Festival can charge entrance fees.

 

The TSG International Center of Martial Arts will receive financial support by the Korean government for its programs when necessary. Therefore, while we welcome participation in the Center’s activities by UNESCO member nations, organizations, institutes or individuals interested in TSG/martial arts, we will not burden them with any kind of financial commitments.

 

5. Progress on the development of International Martial Arts Center

 

Since last February, WoMAU has been paying close attention to TSG of UNESCO. First, WoMAU has been establishing new relationships using the connections with UNESCO to become a category II institution. Direct connect has been carried out and discussions went through with the Youth, Sports and Physical Education Section in Division of Social Sciences, Research and Policy, Division expressed its willingness to support if the Korean government officially supports WoMAU. By creating an institution solely based on traditional martial arts in korea, the characteristics and activities would favor the interests of WoMAU and World Martial arts Festival.

 

After discussing with UNESCO, WoMAU has informed the Korean government institutions, Ministry of culture, sports and tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and North Cheungchung Municipal government, the need for developing International Martial Arts center.

  

Chungju City has been in cooperation with WoMAU in preparation for the documents needed for establishing International Martial Arts Center. We have already sent the documents to the Ministry of Culture, sports and tourism. We currently are currently in preparation for organizing the office space, and the funding from the South Korean government for processing TSG related institutions and responsibilities.

 

Secretariat have sent in an application to the Korean Government. Also, WoMAU sent the deputy secretary-general to the CIGEPS meeting for assuring the support from the UNESCO official and to discuss on sponsoring the World Martial arts Festival as well as placing the link on the web site of UNESCO to raise international awareness.

 

6. Future plans

 

It is expected that in cooperation with the Korean government, the Secretariat will submit an application to UNESCO for the Center’s establishment and as a follow-up, during the 2011 World Martial Arts, an actual inspection by UNESCO is expected. If there are members that are keen on participation in the establishment process, it is the WoMAU’s wish to pool our resources together as founding organizations. We kindly ask for participation from the representatives from member organizations.