LAUSANNE, Switzerland (March 6, 2020) - World Taekwondo (WT), the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) and the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote humanitarian, social inclusion, peace and development-supporting activities.
The signing ceremony took place at the World Taekwondo Office and was hosted by WT President and THF Chairman, Chungwon Choue, who was joined by WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari. Under the terms of the agreement, the three organizations will carry out common projects with the aim of advancing youth and social inclusion through participation in sports, sporting events and other related activities. In particular, the parties will agree to explore opportunities to encourage education, improve sporting opportunities and participate in the promotion of increased well-being for young people in geographical areas where they already provide support with the potential to expand to other locations worldwide.
WT President Choue said:
“It is with great pleasure that WT and the THF has signed this commitment with the WBSC. All three of our organizations, share a common belief in the power of sport to make a positive difference to the lives of young people in need around the world. It is therefore our responsibility to ensure we are realizing our sports’ potential to affect change and promote peace, social inclusion and development. We look forward to working with the WBSC to develop tailored programs and activities that will bring real physical and mental benefits and help to shape young people into true global citizens.”
WBSC President Fraccari said:
“At a time of growing social inequality and unrest, we at the WBSC believe more than ever in the power of sport to do good and heal divisions around the world. And so we are honored and delighted to be partnering with WT and THF, in using our sports as a vehicle to promote peace, wellbeing and social inclusion in communities that need it the most.
“I commend WT and THF President Chungwon Choue for his compassion and drive to help those who are most vulnerable and I look forward to using the values of Baseball, Softball and Baseball5 to contribute to all of the great work the THF has already undertaken.”
WT launched the THF in 2016 to empower refugees and displaced people worldwide by training them in taekwondo, bringing them physical and mental well-being as well as discipline, self-defense and self-belief. Since its inception, the THF has launched projects in Jordan, Djibouti, Turkey, Columbia and Rwanda.
The WBSC has already been active providing opportunities for refugees and other communities affected by conflict, having partnered with UNHCR (United Nationas High Commissioner for the Refugees) and Peace and Sport to bring Baseball5 to the Zaatari Camp in Jordan amongst other projects.
As a proud member of the UNHCR and International Olympic Committee “Sports Coalition”, the WBSC has made pledges to; improve access for all refugees to safe and inclusive sporting facilities, increase Baseball Softball and sport-based initiatives for refugees and hosting communities, and promote and facilitate equal access to and participation of refugees in sporting events and competitions.
President Choue has long expressed WT and THF’s commitment to working with other International Federations to enhance opportunities for young refugees and displaced people around the world. World Taekwondo and THF have so far partnered with the WBSC, the International Judo Federation (IJF), United World Wrestling (UWW), International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), Badminton World Federation (BWF), International Hockey Federation (FIH), International Federation Muaythai Associatons (IFMA) and International Sambo Federation (FIAS).
