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Title [Centre News] ‘Spreading Hope among the Youth in Developing Countries through Martial Arts Education’
The
2022 6th Martial Arts Open School (MAOS) will be held by UNESCO ICM from June
11th and August 21st for the youth and women in developing countries. More than
500 young people from 4 countries including Rwanda, Malawi, Nepal and Turkey
will learn to practice martial arts such as Taekkyeon and Taekwondo.
MAOS,
which focuses on providing martial arts education to the youth, is held with
the aim of training young people’s bodies and minds and improving health. To
date, 2,029 students from 16 countries have participated and MAOS has received
positive feedback from local staffers and participants for its role in
empowering the youth.
Taekkyeon
masters from the Korean Taekkyeon Association have previously provided martial
arts programs to young Nepalese, so there is optimism that this year the
regular education of Taekkyeon will be able to take firm root in the country.
With the cooperation with Good Neighbors, an international humanitarian
development NGO headquartered in Korea, ICM will be providing Taekwondo
training to 100 participants.
ICM
Secretary-General Park Changhyun said, “the pandemic has caused a reduction in
young people’s physical activity. I hope that MAOS, one of the key ICM projects
for youth empowerment, raises the spirit of students in developing countries,
helps to improve physical and mental development, and helps them to spend
healthier and happier days at school.
One
MAOS participant from Rwanda expressed their excitement by saying “This is the
first martial arts training for me. It will be a great opportunity not only to
improve my health but also to engage and interact with my friends.
Starting
in Rwanda (June 11th to July 21st), MAOS will also be held in Nepal (June 20th
to August 2nd), Malawi (June 29th to August 12th) and Turkey (June 27th to
August 21st). |