Post on 14-Dec-2015
Budo for Peace
Traditional Martial Arts :A conduit for behavioral change and
cross-cultural acceptance
Presented by: Danny Hakim, BFP Founder
ICSSPE Conference: September 15, 2011
About Danny HakimMartial Arts :
6th degree black belt in karateAustralian National Karate Team in five World ChampionshipsJapanese National Karate Team; European ChampionshipsCoach of Israeli Karate TeamStudent of Kancho Kanazawa
Publication :“Budo’s Potential for Peace: Breaking
Down Barriers in the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict”
Founded: World Education Program Budo for Peace Budokan Martial Arts &Fitness
Program
Producer: Shadya – Winner of International Documentary Film Festival, Amsterdam. PBS Educational Film Series.
Education:MA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Swinburne University
MARTIAL ARTS AS A MEDIATOR BETWEEN CULTURES WORLDWIDE
Budo is the Japanese word for martial arts Its literal translation is:
“The way to prevent conflict.”
Karate – 50 million practitioners
Taekwondo – 70 million practitioners
Judo – 2nd most popular sport worldwide
From Inner-being to external harmony
“The purpose of training is to tighten up the slack, toughen the body, and polish the spirit. Your spirit is the true shield.” - Morihei Ueshiba (Founder of Aikido)
Meditation- inner harmony, awareness
Budo values –pursuit of excellence
Gain self-control and responsibility
Achieve respect & harmony with others
Code of conduct.
“The ultimate aim of the art of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants” – Gichin Funakoshi (Father of Modern Karate)
Demands responsible behavior.
Hierarchy of seniority and skill represented by color belts
Built-in mentor system.
Uniforms promote equality and modesty
As a foreign culture, martial arts is a bridge between different cultures
Rituals
Budo philosophy
Dojo as a sanctuary
Asian language
and conceptsTraditional Martial Arts
PhilosophyWhile practicing budo, students learn correct manners, refine technical skills and develop the mind and body toward becoming a virtuous human being.
By applying what they’ve learned in training, BFP students learn to convert conflicts (both internal and external) into harmonious coexistence.
The focus is less on goals of technical skills or winning competition and more on understanding the true ideals of budo and cherishing its traditions
From enemies to opponents to partners• Shiai means competition;
literally testing each other.” Individuals compete to mutually develop their skills, not defeat one another.
• Partner - works with you, not
against you.
• Opponent - tries to make himself and his technique better - at your expense.
• Opponent and partner are the same. Both are equally necessary to improve.
“Bowing is an expression of gratitude and respect. In effect, you are thanking your opponent for giving you the opportunity to improve your technique” - Jigoro Kano (Founder of Judo)
Mission Statement
Our mission is to bring youth from conflict areas together to participate in traditional Asian martial arts and learn their intrinsic values; thereby breaking down barriers to coexistence.
GoalsPromote tolerance and inter-religious and inter-ethnic understanding.
Create public awareness of budo, as a means to promote coexistence between people in conflict.
Instill self confidence and inner harmony in the participants, and teach them to break down barriers of ignorance and distrust.
Develop an international network of “Ambassadors of Peace” through our young leaders.
History
BFP began as a one-time event in Delphi, Greece prior to the 2004 Athens Olympics .
Youth in conflict joined together under the Olympic theme “Lay down your weapons and compete in sports".
Organization activities
Educational Program Dojos (Martial Arts Clubs)
Coexistence & women’s
empowerment
Educational Program• Taught in the local language• For children aged 9-15• Clubs meet for 90-minute
sessions twice weekly. • One hour of martial arts
training• Half an hour of games,
discussion and role play to connect the budo values to every day behavior.
Budo – Values for Life
Teaches basic values and life skills important for holistic development
Humility: Acting without self-importance Responsibility: Meeting challenges with a
brave spirit Courage and Commitment: Fighting injustice Honesty: Being truthful Gentleness: Living with affection and compassion Order: Being aware of what creates disorder
Budo – Values for Peace
Gives skills to resolve and prevent conflict and create conditions conducive to peace, from the interpersonal to the international
Intelligence: Understanding what prevents peaceWisdom: Living without fear Kindness: Caring for others as you would like to be cared forLove: Being a martial arts warrior for peaceSensitivity: Having empathy toward others Respect: Honoring the dignity of all life
Affiliate Club Benefits• Positive exposure in local
communities• Affiliate with fast-growing
youth movement promoting tolerance and non-violence.
• Opportunity to impact larger population
• Free educational program and training for instructors and mentors
Students
Bedouin11%
Arab Muslim26%
Arab Chris-tian11%
Druze5%
Religious Jews5%
New im-migrant
16%
Secular Jewish
26%
Ethnic/Religious Breakdown
Ages: •9-12 •13-17
Located throughout Israel’s social and geographic periphery
Evaluation of influenceQuestionnaire 2008-2009
Beginning of the year End of the year0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Are you willing to meet the “other”? (percent of respondents)
JewsArabs
BFP Sphere of Influence
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
2010 2011 2012 2013
BFP dojoAffiliate dojoTotal dojos
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
2010 2011 2012 2013
CommunityFriends & FamilyKids
Number of Dojos over time Number of People influenced over time
Assumptions: 20 children per dojo; 20 friends & family per child
100 community members per dojo
Model for coexistence
Buiene Nujidat is a mixed Muslim and Bedouin town in the Galilee with a history of intra-city youth violence.
BFP classes reduced violence in Buiene and then connected its club with nearby Mitzpe Netofa, a religious Jewish village.
Future Goals
• Connect with millions of martial arts practitioners worldwide• Open international affiliate clubs; currently working with connections in
Palestinian Authority, Turkey, Jordan & France• Organize international events; now working with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign
Affairs & Turkish Karate Federation for 2012