The World Taekwondo Foundation (WTF) is offering help to solve the refugee situation in Europe, which is rapidly becoming an international issue. (Image : World Taekwondo Foundation)
SEOUL, Sept. 22 (Korea Bizwire) – The World Taekwondo Foundation (WTF) is offering help to solve the refugee situation in Europe, which is rapidly becoming an international issue.
Cho Jeong-won, head of the WTF. (Image : World Taekwondo Foundation)
Cho Jeong-won, head of the WTF, announced plans for the creation of the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation to help children in refugee camps all over the world, at a ceremony for the 2015 UN International Day of Peace.
Cho explained the role of the foundation. “Everyone has to make an effort to solve the refugee problem, which is one of the biggest global issues right now. Borrowing the words of Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, sports federations have to give humanitarian assistance to refugees. The Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation will offer that kind of assistance.”
“Taekwondo is a sport that doesn’t require special equipment, making it the ideal sport for everyone. We anticipate that taekwondo will give hopes and dreams to children in refugee villages, help them learn about the Olympic spirit, and help them live as global citizens,” he added.
The WTF will establish the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation at its secretariat in Lausanne, Switzerland as soon as October, and no later than the end of the year.
If possible, the organization plans to send Taekwondo instructors and medical service members to refugee camps at some point before the end of the year.
Taekwondo Demonstration. (Image : World Taekwondo Foundation)
The WTF is the first among international sports federations to establish a volunteer foundation devoted to refugees.
It already established the Taekwondo Peace Corps, in the summer of 2008, sending 1,300 volunteers to 100 countries all over the world.
In addition, the WTF is discussing with the UN and IOC to expand the Taekwondo Peace Corps to all Olympic sport entries, and launch a Sport Peace Corps.
By Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
