Dear IOV Colleagues,
This website is a way in which IOV brings news to a wider audience. The members are encouraged to printout the news for distribution to the members who are not yet online.
Since the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of IOV in Nanjing China which coincided with the 2nd IOV Youth Congress, the IOV Presidential Council (IOVPC) has done some serious review and evaluation of the workings of the organization. The IOVPC met in the Czech Republic through the kind invitation of IOV Czech Republic and the National Folklore Organization of the country, under the Presidency of Mr. Zdeneck Psenica.
The meeting focused on the review and the future plans of the IOV. For the first time, the online participation of some members of the IOVPC was welcomed as a new approach to holding a meeting. There is no reason to excuse anyone from being absent if the meeting can be held online. We wish to commend Etienne Vankeirsbilck from Belgium and Atty George Frandsen from the USA for attending the meeting online. Present in person were Rikus Draijer from Netherlands, Emma Chen Hoefler from China, Jutta Widor from Austria and Hans Holz from Austria, Carmen D. Padilla from the Philippines.
The IOVPC reviewed the status of the implementation of the statutes and the programs as they were laid out in the past General Assembly. The IOVPC was authorized by the General Assembly in Volos, Athens to undertake the implementation of the Statutes and to take action on necessary decisions in between General Assemblies. This is the reason why the Treasurer was given a post and upon the resignation of Hans Holz, a new Secretary General (ad interim) Atty. George Frandsen was appointed by the IOV Executive Board (which includes the IOVPC). Atty. Frandsen was recognized by the IOVEB for his many years of dedicated service to IOV. Among the many tasks that he has accomplished are the registration the IOV in the UNESCO which eventually earned its accreditation in the ICH NGO Committee. Atty Frandsen also finalized the IOV Statutes as instructed by the GA.
The financial review resulted in the appointment of the new Treasurer, Guy Dugal, whose qualifications are in a separate letter sent to the members. This was followed by IOV China’s report. The expansion of IOV China is attributed to the persistent and diligent work of IOV Vice President Emma Chan Hoefler.
The IOV Commissions’ activities had to undergo an evaluation. It was noted that the most active Commissions were the Festival Commissions under Dunggu Munknasan and IOV Vice President Rikus Draijer which takes charge of the Festival Calendar, and the Traditional Cuisine Commission under Tahir Amarislanov which holds regular Culinary Festivals and competitions. Ali Abdulla Khalifa, who hosted the Scientific Forum in Bahrain which coincided with the IOVPC meeting a few years back, distributes the IOV Middle East Journal worldwide. The South American Regional meeting was held in Brazil under the leadership of Terezinha Miquilin.
Many more members have continued their activities in different countries. Through this website we would like to feature them to show the best practices in IOV.
On April 26 to 30, 2012, we will hold the IOV General Assembly in Prague, Czech Republic. We invite IOV members to come and participate in this gathering. Our agenda will cover many concerns and issues which will contribute to a better IOV in the future. We look forward to your presence. Please check this website for more information.
On June 26 to 30, 2012, the 3rd IOV Youth Congress will be held in Stockholm, Sweden. This will be participated in by IOV Youth from ages 18 to 35. This is being organized by IOV Youth leader Mia Lindgren of Sweden and Olvin Valentin, IOV Youth Commission Chair under the guidance of organizers of the 1st IOV Youth Congress, George Frandsen and 2nd IOV Youth Congress, Emma Chen Hoefler. Please disseminate information to prospective youth participants in your country.
Details of these events will be given by IOV Secretary General George Frandsen.
We also encourage members to come and join the Commissions which we are reinvigorating. These are the Commissions on Traditional Theater, Traditional Music, Traditional Crafts, Traditional Medicine, Ethnographic Museums and the Scientific Commission. Please send in your interest in any of these commissions.
We look forward to a more active and energetic participation of IOV members.
I wish you all of you success in your work.
December 19, 2011
Carmen D. Padilla
IOV World President
