International Tong-Il Moo-Do Conference & Official Launch of the World Unified Martial Arts Federation for Peace (WUMAF-P)
Theme: The Role of Martial Arts in Empowering Youth and Building a Nation of Peace
On Tuesday, 4 August 2026, the International Tong-Il Moo-Do Conference and Official Launch of the World Unified Martial Arts Federation for Peace (WUMAF-P) was successfully held at the Brazil São Tomé Vocational Training Center, Santo António, São Tomé and Príncipe. The landmark event gathered approximately 100 participants, representing a broad spectrum of society, including government institutions, national and international martial arts organizations, religious communities, youth organizations, civil society, and non-governmental organizations. The conference served as a strategic platform to promote youth empowerment, ethical leadership, interfaith cooperation, and sustainable peace through the universal values of martial arts.
The selection of São Tomé and Príncipe as the host nation carried significant strategic importance. Located in the Gulf of Guinea, the peaceful island nation is internationally recognized for its democratic governance, political stability, rich cultural diversity, and commitment to education, youth development, and international cooperation. With a population of approximately 240,000 people, the country provides an ideal environment for launching initiatives that promote unity, peaceful coexistence, and sustainable human development. These national characteristics closely reflect the core vision and values of WUMAF-P.
The conference brought together an exceptional assembly of distinguished guests, demonstrating broad national support for the initiative. Participants included representatives of the Ministry of Sports, the President of the Youth Council of São Tomé and Príncipe, and the Former Minister of Sports, alongside presidents and senior representatives of major national martial arts federations, including Karate, Wushu, Capoeira, and Taekwondo. Their presence underscored the growing recognition of martial arts as a strategic instrument for youth development, character education, national unity, and peacebuilding.
Reflecting the inclusive spirit of the conference, the event also welcomed respected leaders from both the Christian and Muslim communities, reinforcing the importance of interfaith dialogue and shared moral values in building peaceful societies. In addition, leaders from various non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Ambassadors for Peace, educators, youth leaders, and community representatives actively participated, highlighting a collective commitment to collaborative social development through education, service, and ethical leadership.
A major highlight of the conference was the keynote address delivered by, “Dr. Chung Sik Yong”, “International President of Tong-Il Moo-Do”, who emphasized that martial arts should transcend physical training to become a comprehensive educational system for cultivating integrity, discipline, servant leadership, and global citizenship. He challenged participants to invest intentionally in values-based education capable of strengthening families, empowering young people, and fostering peaceful communities across nations.
The conference reached its historic climax with the official inauguration of the World Unified Martial Arts Federation for Peace (WUMAF-P) through a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the signing of the official declaration, the appointment of key leaders, and a commemorative celebration. An interactive question-and-answer session and a Tong-Il Moo-Do demonstration further illustrated how martial arts integrate technical excellence with character education, teamwork, self-discipline, and service, providing a practical model for developing responsible future leaders.
Overall, the conference successfully achieved its strategic objectives by strengthening partnerships among government institutions, martial arts federations, religious organizations, youth representatives, and civil society. The successful launch of WUMAF-P established a strong institutional foundation for future collaboration across Africa and beyond, reaffirming a shared commitment to promoting peace, empowering youth, and advancing sustainable development through character education, discipline, mutual respect, and service. The event stands as a significant milestone in positioning São Tomé and Príncipe as an emerging regional partner in international peacebuilding initiatives through martial arts and values-based education.