I first heard of the Taekwondo Peace Corps (TPC) while watching a special feature on cable TV a few days ago. Out of curiosity, I tried to find out a little bit about the organization and as I expected the concept was espoused by a Korean, as Taekwondo is very much Korean.
The idea of a Taekwondo Peace Corps was first raised by World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) President Chungwon Choue at an international workshop on sports and peace in Leuven, Belgium on September 2007. Then again, in another international forum on sport and peace held in Monaco in December of that same year, WTF President Choue again raised the same concept, but these time expanding it to involve all the summer Olympic sports, and called it “Sports Peace Corps”.
Launched by the World Taekwondo Federation in Suwon, South Korea on July 5, 2008, the Taekwondo Peace Corps is promoted by the World Taekwondo Federation and organized by the Goodwill, Cooperation and Service (GCS) International, a United Nations-recognized non-governmental organization, both organizations headed by Dr. Chungwon Choue. TPC’s goal is to bring peace through sports. Not only will TPC provide technical enhancement of Taekwondo to WTF member associations but it will also enhance the over-all image of the sport in the international sport community.
The TPC initially dispatched 27 members to five countries, namely, Russia, Paraguay, India, Pakistan and China, during the summer of 2008. The second dispatch was made during the winter of 2008 where 32 members were sent to eight countries: China, Russia, Pakistan, Paraguay, India, Egypt, Morocco, Bolivia, Greece, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. This year, the following are the dispatched countries: El Salvador, India, Isle of Man, Samoa, Bhutan, Nigeria, Mongolia, Angola, Philippines, Poland, Azerbaijan, and Mexico.
If TPC will be carried out successfully, Dr. Choue envisions of expanding the program to involve all Olympic sports into a “Sport Peace Corps”, in cooperation with the United Nations and the International Olympic Committee.
Spreading peace thru Taekwondo, that’s the Taekwondo Peace Corps.
7 comments:
and taekwondo is very much identified with korea
indeed
I don't get it. The organization dispatches people to different countries, but what do they do when they get there? How do their actions or presence provide technical enhancement of taekwaondo, enhance the over-all image of the sport, or promote peace?
According to the special feature on TPC, this is one of the solidarity programs of the World Taekwondo Federattion to enhance the image of taekwondo, they provide the following: Assistance to the taekwondo practitioners in disadvantaged countries and regions and to promote Taekwondo for official school curriculum or extra-curricular activities.
The TPC features a comprehensive assistance package which includes:
- coaching and training service to local young athletes; extracurricular activities and youth programs; supply of sport equipment and facilities; and assistance for youth participation in international sporting events.
The following are the objectives of the TPC which Dr. Choue envisions to be replicated for the Sports Peace Corps:
- Utilizing sport as part of education, training and youth program; helping the Olympic Solidarity Movement at the grass-root level; providing equipment, skills for training, and coaches in the countries in need of assistance; assisting the countries that are lagging behind in the field of sport; giving hope and dreams to the young people who are deprived of the opportunity to learn and practice sports; promoting peace and understanding through sport and human interaction.
I think it is also worth mentioning that more than developing physical fighting skills, it develops the character and personality of an individual through physical, mental and spiritual discipline.Taekwondo is making your mind peaceful,synchronizing your mind with your movements, and extending this harmony to your life and society. It also teaches virtues of self-reflection, self-discipline,
confidence, respect for elders, patience, and
balance of body and mind.
I hope this gives you a better picture of the group.
It does. Thank you very much. I would add that it has also been my experience that the few black belts I have had the opportunity to meet are surprisingly soft spoken. Fighters have a reputation for being loud and aggressive, but martial artists are not.
thanks for your additional input and i'm glad that i was able to give a response to your query.
Recently had the pleasure in hosting 4 Peace Corp young people. Unfortunately very disappointed. They were rather ungrateful very arrogant and had no respect for the host family they were staying with who gave them accommodation, food and arranged travel all at no cost to them. Will not host again, for young people representing a country they were a very poor example.
Post a Comment