SECOND
WORLD CONGRESS on QIGONG
The Second
World Congress on Qigong where more than 60 masters and medical professionals
presented papers and about 500 participants from 16 countries attended
were held in San Francisco from 2st to 23 rd November 1997.
The theme
of the congress was to demonstrate and broaden the influence of Qigong
(Qigong) as a viable, essential practice for enhancing everyday life
and as an effective factor in mainstream health care.
In his
welcoming message, President Clinton of the United States said, "as
we seek to improve health care and relieve suffering, it is incumbent
upon us to understand and learn more about different medicines and
therapies."
Dr Marilyn
H. Gaston, the Assistant Surgeon General Director of the U.S. told
the congress, "I look forward to receiving conference proceedings
or any information I may wish to share with health centers throughout
the Nation."
The papers
presented included reports of scientific research on the effects of
Qigong in overcoming illness and promoting health, as well as explanation
on different beneficial aspects of Qigong such as for youthfulness
and beauty, martial arts, corporate health and inner peace.
Papers
of this Congress as well as those of other important conferences may
be obtained from
Dr. Kenneth M. Sancier, the President of the American Qigong Institute
and a Director of the journal of the international Society of Life
Information Sciences.
Two world
awards were given, one to a master and the other a research scientist
to acknowledge their outstanding contribution to Qigong:
- The
"Qigong Master of the Year" award was won by Grandmaster Wong Kiew
Kit of Shaolin Wahnam Qigong and Kung Fu of Malaysia.
- The
"Qigong Research Scientist of the Year" award was won by Professor
Feng Li Da, the Director of Beijing Immunology Research Centre of
China and Vice President of the World Medical Qigong Association.
Sifu
Wong receiving "Qigong Master of the Year" award from Professor Aung
on behalf of the Second Wrold Congress on Qigong. Looking on is the
Chairperson of the Congress, Dr. Effie Chow.
Two Special
Recognition Awards were presented to:
- Dr
Kenneth M. Sancer of USA who had conducted much Qigong research
and disseminated Qigong information
- Master
Katsumi Nikura of Japan, who was internationally acclaimed in the
promotion of ki (chi) in the martial arts and healing.
A special
committee led by Assistant Professor Steven K.H. Aung, the President
of the World Natural Medicine Foundation, was set up to draw up policies
and recommendations for the World Health Organization and national
health administrations as a concrete step towards enabling Qigong
to play its essential role in mainstream health care.
In her
report to the congress, committee member Assistant Professor Evelyn
Lee of the University of California succinctly described the present
demand of the public for holistic well being as "an evolution coming
from the people themselves."
The
World Qigong Federation, the American Qigong Association and other
national chapters such as those of Canada, France, Germany and Mexico
were inaugurated. The goals of the World Qigong Federation are:
- promoting
global unity through employing Qigong as a mainstream healing method
and as a way to enhance the quality of life
- defining
Qigong as an essential component of complementary alternative medicine
- integrating
Qigong with western medicine
- creating
a link to the World Health Organization and informing policy makers
- fostering
creation of national associations
- fostering
cooperation among national Qigong associations while preserving
their national character and uniqueness
- fostering
research
The great
significance of this Second World Congress on Qigong may be reflected
by the fact that the Mayor of San Francisco personally attended the
opening plenary session to declare that week a Qigong Week.
In appreciation
of the effort of the Congress Chairperson, "Dr Effie Chow Poy Yew",
the founder and President of East-West Academy of Healing Arts, to
bring about this international gathering, the San Francisco community
declared the opening day Dr Chow's Day.
Those
who wish to help in the formation of national chapters or to contribute
in any way towards the goals of spreading the benefits of Qigong world-wide
irrespective of race, culture or religion, are requested to contact
the international co-ordinator,
Dr Effie Chow. Only with the international co-operation amongst
masters, medical professionals, scientists, policy makers and other
leaders, can the vision of global holistic well-being become a reality.