The 43rd Year of Existence of the ITF: The Reunification Year – March 22nd 2008 to March 21st 2009
“The practice of peace and reconciliation is one of the most vital and artistic of human actions.”
– Thich Nhat Hanh*
(Vietnamese monk, activist, and writer. b. 1926)
I stumbled upon this quotation lately, and it really caught my attention. My first thought was that it applies very well to martial artists in general. For one thing, a martial art is indeed a form of art as well as a way of life. In addition, I believe in peace and reconciliation, as they are very constructive values that we can use to build a better world.
The positive evolution of the ITF in recent years – the confirmation of our legal status, the installation of a solid administrative structure providing much-needed services, the overall increase in membership worldwide, and particularly the recent return of USTF to the ITF – the ITF Board of Directors has decided to declare the 43rd year of existence of the ITF The Reunification Year.
We are sending a welcome message to all Taekwon-Do practitioners and organizations everywhere. The door is open to all those who want to practice ITF Taekwon-Do and live the Taekwon-Do way of life in conformity with our vision, our values, the quality services we offer, and within a fair, transparent and democratic operation. This is an open invitation to all groups: those that left the ITF after the passing away of our Founder General Choi Hong Hi in 2002 as well as those that are independent for whatever reason.
You, our members, are our best ambassadors, as you have witnessed the ITF’s growth and indicated your satisfaction with the way the ITF is operated and the services provided. Therefore, if you know practitioners who are members of another Taekwon-Do organization, whether it is independent or affiliated with another group, we invite you to encourage them to consider finding their good place within the ITF.
The ITF has defined the criteria for groups and organizations that would like to join the ITF and an admission process is in place. For those who would like to start the application process, the first step is to approach the ITF National Association in their country. The National Association will accept the request once it receives all the necessary documents related to the applicant organization. Please note that the ITF Board of Directors is responsible for making the final decisions about applications for membership.
Since this is the Reunification Year for the ITF, we are making it a priority to process all applications for membership within the shortest delay and are implementing a program to facilitate the integration of the new members into the ITF.
If you require more information on the admission procedure, here are your principal resources:
ITF Welcome Committee
Chair: Master Juan Ferrando (Spain).
Helps new members feel at home and integrate quickly into the ITF by providing essential information.
ITF Administrative Headquarters
Secretary General: Master Wim Bos (Italy).
Handles administrative matters such as equivalence and recognition of Black Belt certificates.
ITF President’s Office
President: Master Trân Triêu Quân (Canada).
Provides assistance for political affairs and operating procedures.
We are always happy to welcome to the ITF all Taekwon-Do practitioners who share our vision.
The Reunification Year will be a big challenge for all ITF members. We will achieve positive results if we work together as one big ITF family, and I believe that at this time next year we will have very reason to be very proud of the results!
Sincerely yours,
Master Trân Triêu Quân
President of ITF
Thich Nhat hanh
One of the best-known and most respected Zen masters in the world today, poet, peace and human rights activist Thich Nhat Hanh has received recognition for his prolific writings on meditation, mindfulness, and peace. He has published over 85 titles of accessible poems, prose, and prayers, with more than 40 of those works in English. His best-known books include “Peace is Every Step“, “Being Peace“, “Touching Peace“, “Call Me by My True Names“, “Living Buddha“, “Living Christ“, “Teachings on Love, and Anger“.
Now eighty years old, Thich Nhat Hanh is emerging as one of the great teachers of our time. In the midst of our society’s emphasis on speed, efficiency, and material success, Thich Nhat Hanh’s ability to walk calmly with peace and awareness and to teach us to do the same has led to his enthusiastic reception in the West. Although his mode of expression is simple, his message reveals the quintessence of the deep understanding of reality that comes from his meditations, his Buddhist training, and his work in the world.
