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Trade Centres

A Powerful New Force in Public

Diplomacy

the mission of the World
Most of us see World Trade
Trade Centers Association,
Center buildings as towe-
which combines trade deve-
ring real estate monuments
lopment with an interest in
adoring the skies of the
promoting peaceful relations
capital cities from conti-
among countries.
nent to continent. They are
hubs of activity between
The Buckwandaechuppe
foreign exchange specia-
was created in Bukwan,
lists, global trade mana-
gers, government invest- Korea about 500 years ago
ment promotions officials to celebrate Korea's resistan-
and a complementary web ce to an invasion by Japan.
of transportation, logistical, About 100 years ago, the
Japanese returned to occupy
marketing and international
finance executives. Korea, and in 1904, this
invaluable symbol of sove-
reignty and pride was taken
Upon closer review, World
Trade Centers are more from Korea by the occu-
than just real estate or even pying Japanese governor.
symbols of man's interest The artifact was sent to the
Emperor of Japan where it
in transacting business. The
remained for over a century.
World Trade Centers
Over the years, many
Association (WTCA) is a
powerful compact of indi- Korean cultural groups
viduals and institutions that sought the return of the arti-
develop and manage World facts to Korea without suc-
Trade Centers, (WCs) that cess. In 1999, these groups
understand the covenants asked the Norwegian Nobel
Peace Committee to assist in
of global trade, foreign
effectuating the artifact's
investment as well as cultu-
ral understanding and return.
peace. For without a func-
several hundred times on a is a vast heritage recovery In its wisdom and unders-
tioning knowledge and
global scale to understand movement underway across tanding of the power of
appreciation of the cultures
the power of the WTC net- Asia. Starting with Japan World Trade Centers
of people of other nations,
work. Its ability to reach all and both Koreas, from Association and the deep
there is no basic for long-
term international trade and levels of government and China to India, to the Middle personal interest of the
society throughout the East, a new mood is promo- WTCA President, the Nobel
investment. The business
world gives promise to the ting states to make a greater Committee asked Mr
leaders behind this network
WTCA's new role in public effort to stop works of art Tozzoli to serve as mediator
of facilities embrace their
diplomacy. This was from being illicitly exported. to those concerned parties.
role in bridging relations
demonstrated most recently Mr Tozzoli saw in the return Subsequently, the groups
between people of other
nations. Think for a by the WTCA's President, of Bukwandaechuppe not asked Mr Tozzoli to repre-
moment about the amalga- Mr Guy Tozzoli. only an opportunity to cor- sent them in negotiations for
rect a cultural injustice but the transfer of the artifact to
mation of immense
Mr Tozzoli led the efforts to initiate increase commu- North Korea. Also involved
amounts if investor capital,
and trade development to return the revered nication and understanding with Mr Tozzoli's efforts
organizations required to Buckwandaechuppe arti- among three nations invol- were Ban Ki-Moon, current-
develop just one of these fact from Japan to Korea. ved: Japan, North Korea and ly United Nations Secretary
This was a historic oppor- South Korea. This objective
projects. Multiply this General, South Korean
tunity at a time when there is entirely in keeping with Prime Minister Lee Hae
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