\About IOV
The International Organization of Folk Art (IOV) is a worldwide organization,
which deals comprehensively with the preservation and promotion of popular culture,
folk art, and intangible cultural heritage.
The primary goal of IOV is to promote understanding and tolerance among peoples of the world
through diversified cultural exchange activities, in maintenance of the ideal of world peace.
IOV was first initiated and founded in 1979 in Oostrozebeke/Belgium.
The organization is registered in Vienna/Austria, with the Secretariat General located in Andorf,
Austria now. In 1983, IOV was accepted as a member of UNESCO and was recognized with Status C. In 1990,
the UNESCO Executive Board passed a resolution to classify IOV in category B
(for information and consultative relations with UNESCO).
Since 1998, IOV was admitted as an NGO in operational relations with UNESCO,
according to the decision of the UNESCO Executive Board at its 154th session.
Folk culture and art are essential goods of the cultural heritage of all peoples of the world.
A rich and flourishing folk culture reflects human happiness, creativity, social responsibility and charity.
It provides people with a sense of identity and continuity.
The knowledge of the history and culture of other peoples should help promote a better mutual understanding and respect among peoples,
and help create a more harmonious civil society and world peace, which will serve the well being of the entire mankind.
IOV welcomes all individuals and groups of the world regardless of race, sex, language and religion to join the collaborative work of the organization.
The work of IOV is based on the respect of human rights and basic liberty of all peoples of the world.
This features significantly in the active participation of IOV in UNESCO's project "Culture of Peace".
\GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The General Assembly is composed of duly-accredited members in good standing with the IOV.
The ordinary General Assembly has to be convened by the Secretariat General with the approval
of the Presidential Council at least every four years.
An extraordinary session of General Assembly will be convened upon the decision of the Presidential Council,
or of the General Assembly; or upon demand of one tenth of the regular members made in writing and subject
to the approval of the Presidential Council; or upon demand of the auditors; or upon the decision of a juridical curator.
\PRESIDENTIAL COUNCIL (PC)
The Presidential Council consists of the President, the Secretary General,the Vice Presidents and the Treasurer.
The Presidential Council is elected by majority vote of the General Assembly, with a term of office for four years.
The Presidential Council shall meet at least once a year and is authorized to make policy decisions within
the mandate of the organization.
\EXECUTIVE BOARD (EB)
The Executive Board consists of the President, the Secretary General, the Vice Presidents,
the Regional Executive Secretaries, the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer, Heads of Commissions,
Youth Representatives and may include other board members, with a term of office for four years.
The Executive Board shall meet at least every two years and shall manage all operations which are not
reserved for the General Assembly or assigned to a special body of the organzation.
The Executive Board members share the responsibility of fundraising for the organization.
\GENERAL SECRETARIAT
The General Secretariat is responsible for the daily management of the organization, working
in close coordination with the President, the Vice Presidents, the Treasurer and the Regional Executive Secretaries,
and be responsible for maintaining a central databank of the organization.
\COMMISSIONS
A Commission is composed of specialists and professionals who have expertise and interest in,
and are actively working, in one or more of the various areas of folk culture and arts.
A Commission is created either upon the initiative of a group of professionals or by the Executive Board.
A Commission has to make a report of activities annually to the General Secretariat.
The Executive Board evaluates the performance of the Commission and shall recommend the continuation or
dissolution of the Commission to the General Assembly.
\SENATORS CLUB
The Senators Club is composed of senator members of IOV who are prominent individuals,
long standing members or outstanding personalities in the field of culture and who are willing to
financially support the IOV.
AUDITORS - The General Assembly elects three Auditors for a period of four years.
The Auditors give an account of the financial management during the General Assembly
and apply for confirming the report of the Treasurer and the Assistant Treasurer.
ARBITRAL BODY - Controversies between members and bodies of the organization,
as far as they are connected with the organization, have to be settled by the Arbitral Body,
consisting of seven members who are elected by the Presidential Council and come as far as possible from all continents.
COMMITTEE ON ELECTION (COMELEC) - Upon the recommendation of the Secretary General,
the Executive Board shall appoint three regular members to form the Comelec before any meeting of the General Assembly.
LEGAL COMMITTEE - The Legal Committee shall be composed of at least three members appointed by the Presidential Council
to give advice on legal and procedural matters where appropriate to the IOV.
Archive
Date Title Place
2007/02/19 - 2007/02/21 The 2nd IOVTT Meeting in Andorf Andorf, Austria
2006/05/04 - 2006/05/07 The 1st IOVTT Meeting in Moscow Moscow, Russia
2006/05/24 New Secretariat Office in Andorf, Austria Andorf, Austria
2005/09/26 - 2005/10/02 2005 IOV World Congress in Andong, Korea Andong, Korea
2005/12/25 2005 Memorandum by Hans J. Holz Andorf, Austria
2005/12/23 2005 Memorandum by Carmen D. Padilla Manila, Philippines
2004/09/24 25th Anniversary of IOV Tianjin, China
2004/09/24 - 2004/09/30 2004 IOV General Assembly in Tianjin, China Tianjin, China
2004/06/03 - 2004/06/07 2004 CIOFF / IOV Joint Conference Novgorod, Russia
2003/10/08 - 2003/10/12 2003 IOV Executive Council Meeting Szentgotthard, Hungary
2002/05/10 - 2002/05/19 2002 Cross-border European Conference
2001/08/09 - 2001/08/12 2001 General Assembly of IOV Deva, Romania
1992/09/16 - 1992/09/21 The 1st European Conference Sarvar, Hungary
1988 The 1st World Congress of IOV Gorizia, Italy
1983 Become a Member of UNESCO Paris, France
1980 The 1st Working Conference of IOV Modling, Austria
1979 The Founding of IOV Oostrozekeke, Belgium
It is an organization --
For all peoples of the world, irrespective of race, sex, language and religion;
For an active collaboration and responsibility in the realization of UNESCO's program;
For international understanding and progressive work for the maintenance of world peace;
For folk culture and folk art - maintenance, preservation and useful transmission;
For mutual understanding, respect and appreciation;
For sympathy, experience and individual liberty;
For an optimal care of all areas of cultural institutions in all parts of the world;
For promotion of science and research;
For the support of national and international folk arts festivals, folklore festivals and festival gatherings;
For friendship, solidarity, humanism, ethics, aesthetics and tolerance;
For an international exchange of experiences, information and documentation;
For the support of exchanges among folk art groups of all nations of the world;
For the respect and cultivation of the cultural heritage;
For the support of useful projects, which serve cultural traditions;