World Taekwondo (WT), the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) and the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to promote humanitarian, peace and development initiatives in Sport.
In light of the current situation provoked by the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, the signing ceremony was conducted online, with WT and THF President, Chungwon Choue, and UIM President Raffaele Chiulli both attending from their home base in Seoul and Rome respectively. Each of the Presidents delivered introductory remarks on the work their respective organizations are doing in support of humanitarian and social development causes before signing the MoU. The ceremony concluded with the two Presidents highlighting their Federations’ mottos ‘Yes, We Care’ (UIM) and ‘Peace is more Precious than Triumph’ (WT).
Under the terms of the MoU, the three organizations committed to developing close cooperation in the following areas including developing an educational program for refugees to support them become global citizens:
- Promoting sport as a powerful vehicle towards peace, social development and
integration of vulnerable populations;
- Uniting forces in offering sport for development and peace activities, in particular in
Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation’s existing Taekwondo Humanitarian Centre in
Azraq Refugee Camp, Jordan, and potentially other locations worldwide;
- Exchanging and sharing of expertise, know-how, information and publications.
The two International Federations will also work together on environmental projects as part of the MoU. The UIM is committed to raising awareness of the environmental performance of the powerboating sport. Ensuring environmental protection and sustainable development are key elements of the UIM’s programme. The WT’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and contributing to a more sustainable future obtained far reaching recognition when it was assigned the joint International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Dow ‘Carbon Initiative Award.’
WT and THF President Choue said:
“WT and the THF are delighted to have signed this MoU with the UIM. All three of our organizations share similar values and a common desire to use the power of sport to deliver meaningful and lasting social change. Today more than ever, when the world is facing unprecedented challenges, sport has the power to unite us in solidarity and to contribute to a better and more peaceful world.”
“Taekwondo and the THF have been empowering refugees around the world and have brought hope and inspiration to thousands of those who need it most. With projects in six countries around the world, we are using taekwondo to help young refugees live healthier lifestyles and learn key skills that will help to shape them into global citizens. The UIM has a lot of experience in delivering a number of excellent social and environmental programs. By working together, we can share knowledge and enhance the support we provide refugees and forcibly displaced and vulnerable youth populations.”
UIM President Raffaele Chiulli said:
“The UIM is proud of entering this partnership with World Taekwondo and with the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation, two Organizations which, under the wise leadership of President Choue, have been showing the way to the Sports Movement how to grow their base and how to illuminate the days of those in greatest need through humanitarian initiatives with refugees.”
“Social inclusion and sustainable development are two important pillars among the UIM’s efforts to grow the powerboat sport and we are eager to embrace this joint initiative with World Taekwondo and its Humanitarian Foundation which will allow us to share basic values of our sport with young refugees and to give them access to its safe practice.”
In March, President Choue was honoured with the Stefano Casiraghi Memorial Award at the UIM Awards Giving Ceremony in Lausanne in recognition of his dedication and achievements in instilling the integrity of sport through peace-related activities.
세계태권도연맹(WT)과 국제모터보트연맹(UIM)이 스포츠를 통한 세계 평화 및 취약 계층 지원을 위한 양해각서를 체결했다.
조정원 WT 총재와 라파엘 키울라 국제경기연맹총연합회(GAIFS) 회장이자UIM회장은 5월 6일 각각 서울과 로마에서 화상을 통한 조인식을 진행했다.
양해 각서에 따라 두 연맹은 공동으로 교육프로그램을 개발해 요르단 시리아 난민 캠프인 아즈락(Azraq)에서 난민 청소년 교육과 지원에 힘을 모으기로 했다.
아즈락캠프내 휴머니테리안 태권도 센터에는 매주 수십명의 난민 청소년이 태권도 수업을 받고있으며 현재까지 11명의 유단자를 배출했다.
이날 조인식에서 조 총재는 “세계가 전례없는 코로나 상황에 직면해 있는 오늘날 스포츠는 서로를 결속시켜 평화로운 세계에 기여할 수 있는 힘을 가지고 있다” 며 “UIM과 함께 교육 프로그램을 개발 발전시켜 취약 계층 청소년들에게 지속적인 교육을 통한 세계 인재 양성에 힘쓰겠다”고 말했다.
조정원 WT 총재는 지난 3월 7일 스위스 로잔에서 열린 UIM 갈라 어어즈에서 스포츠를 통한 전 세계 평화와 난민구호활동 공로로 ‘스페파노 카시라기 메모리얼 트로피를 수상한 바 있다.
현재, WT는 국제모터보트연맹을 포함해 총 9개의 국제스포츠연맹 (국제유도연맹, 국제레슬링연맹, 국제탁구연맹, 국제배드민턴연맹, 국제하키연맹, 국제무에타이연맹, 국제삼보연맹, 세계야구소프트볼연맹)과 양해각서를 체결하고, 이들 연맹과 공동으로 난민 청소년 지원과 교육을 실시하고 있다.
World Taekwondo United News (WTU-news 세계태권도연합뉴스)