World Culture Open 2004

United States Canada Peace
Anniversary Association (USCPAA)

www.peacearchpark.org

The USCPAA, is a privately funded, nonprofit organization, advocates for peace education and promotes the history
of the Peace Arch.

World Culture Open
Seoul, South Korea
September 11-19, 2004

USCPAA Founder, Christina Alexander and Phil Winkler participated in the World Culture Open (on behalf of the USCPAA). The WCO is best described as a cultural style Olympics.

In addition to official opening and closing ceremonies that were broadcast nationally in Korea, the WCO had numerous events that participants (teams) from around the world attended. They included the Welcome Dinner, VIP Dinner and concerts in Seoul Square.

We have divided this page into two parts. The First page is about the World Culture Open event itself. The second page is about the wonderful City of Seoul, South Korea and the people who where so gracious to us during our stay.

For many reasons we are grateful to have been invited to participate in the World Culture Open (WCO). So in the spirit of our appreciation we will begin this page with links to our Thank You Letters to the WCO and the People of Korea.

Thank you letter to World Culture Open Committee
President Dr. Seok Hyun Hong

Thank you letter to the Korea Herald

World Culture Open 2004

	The Hilton Grand hosted the Welcome Dinner, VIP Dinner and the WCO Awards Ceremony. It was also the Hotel that the Humanitarian Service Teams stayed at.
Miss Eun Sim, Kim was our Humanitarian Services Coordinator and the Convention Coordinator for the WCO Organizing Committee. Like Miss Kim, all the WCO staff were professional and dedicated to their work.
	The Hilton Grand also served at WCO event headquarters. All of the WCO staff was wonderful. They worked very hard to ensure a great event for the public and the participants.
At all the WCO events staff members were there to welcome the event participants and the event attendees.
	The WCO our provided transportation to all the events on the Human Service bus.
We also were provided with a interpreter / guide. Betty (Eun Jun, Chen) was a great help. She made sure we made it to all our events and engagements on time. Betty was a delightful person even in the pouring down rain. At the opening ceremony she kept our spirits up.

WCO Welcome Dinner
Official speakers welcomed all the participants to Seoul. It was followed by a dinner. Later in the evening the ballroom was full of dance and song as the participants celebrated their participation in the WCO
	Seoul, South Korea, Minister of Culture.
WCO Welcome Dinner ice sculpture.
	The welcome dinner provided an opportunity for us to meet and socialize with other participants in the WCO.
World Culture Open 2004 ~ Opening Ceremony
The World Culture Open 2004 Opening Ceremony was broadcast nationally in South Korea. Here we are (Christina & Phil) after the ceremony with the Mayor of Seoul, Lee, Myung-Bak.
	All the World Culture Open teams entered the opening ceremony as they would in an Olympic games.
All the Teams from the USA entered the ceremony together. The difference between the WCO and the Olympics opening ceremony was that there were no countries flags in the ceremony. Teams entered behind the cultural symbol selected for their country.	The USA's cultural symbol was a COWGIRL!
	The ceremony included speeches and traditional Korean music & dance. It was truly amazing. They are truly a beautiful people with a beautiful culture.
The laser light show included a giant rainbow, a universal sign of peace.
	Fireworks! Fireworks! And more Fireworks!

Humanitarian Service Presentations

Sejong Cultural Center
	WCO Information booths were located aat the numerous event locations throughout the city. Banners lined the streets. All the cultural events were open and free to the public. They were very well attended by the people of Seoul.
Christina is standing in front of Humanitarian Exhibits near the Sejong Center.
	Before our presentations some of the humanitarians had a informal but traditional Korean lunch at a little restaurant next to the Sejong Center. Left to right: Patrick Scirratta, Ashfaq Mohammad Ishhaq, Rebecca, Christina Alexander.
Christina Alexander, Founder of the United States Canada Peace Anniversary Association Blaine, WA.
	Singing the Peace Arch Anthem "Children of a Common Mother" to conclude the presentation.
Patrick Sciarratta, Executive Director of the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation Chappaque, New York.
	Dr. Jaffar Mirghani Ahmed of the Sudan Civilization Institute, Khartoum, Sudan.
Dr. Najleh Khandagh, Institute to Constitute Research and Talking Theoretical Studies. Tehran, Iran.	Najleh & Payman
Ashfaq Mohammad Ishhaq, Founder & Executive Director, International Child Art Foundation Washington, DC.
Our translators are hard at work.
After all the presentations several of the humanitarians posed for this picture together. From left to right; Kee-hang Lee, Netherlands; Christina Alexander, USA; Jaffar Mirghani Ahmed, Sudan; Payman Forugipore and Dr. Najleh Khandagh & twin sons, Iran. We enjoyed meeting our fellow humanitarians from around the world and learning of their unique missions. We were disappointed we did not get to see the Korean presenters. I would have been a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Korea and the humanitarian work taking place. We all came from different corners of the globe. We all concluded that the world needs all of us humanitarians. We all of have unique missions that we are fulfilling in our individual countries. While our presentations were a competition it was impossible for us to compare one group or mission to another and say it was greater.