Dear IOV Members and Friends,
On this day marking the winter solstice, I extend to each of you my warmest wishes. May this season bring health, serenity, and joy to you, your families, and your communities. I also take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
It is an honor and a responsibility to address you for the first time as the new President of IOV. I look forward to meeting many of you personally in the months and years ahead and to working together in service of our shared mission.
Before speaking about the path forward, I would like to express my deep respect for our outgoing President, my dear friend Dr. Ali Khalifa of Bahrain. As many of you know, Dr. Ali Khalifa has resigned from his position due to serious health concerns, and the IOV office in Bahrain has consequently been closed. Like so many of you, I was saddened by this news.
Over the past 30 years, he has served IOV in numerous leadership roles and has been an energetic and enthusiastic supporter of our mission. His leadership will be missed, and on behalf of the entire IOV family, I wish him a full and swift recovery. We eagerly look forward to welcoming him back to a future IOV gathering when his health allows.
I am deeply grateful to the IOV Board of Directors for entrusting me with the responsibility of completing Dr. Khalifa’s term, which concludes in 2027. At that time, a General Assembly will be convened for the election of new officers. Until then, I pledge to serve with transparency, inclusiveness, and integrity.
Today, the mission of IOV is more crucial than ever. In an era shaped by rapid technological change, where artificial intelligence and digital systems increasingly substitute human roles, our responsibility to safeguard cultural practices, oral traditions, and community knowledge becomes even more urgent.
Our work is grounded in the principle that cultural heritage is a living expression of humanity and that its preservation depends on institutions and the collective commitment of people. IOV has always been, at its heart, a volunteer-driven organization, and the act of giving is what allows our global network to thrive. The value we receive from our membership is inseparable from what we contribute.
As we look to the future, I envision an IOV that is more connected, more collaborative, and more forward-looking. To achieve this, we must broaden our reach, welcome new members and partners, and encourage creative and innovative approaches to fulfilling our mission, even in areas where previous attempts have fallen short.
As your president, I intend to promote a dialogue between the board of directors and all of you as members. To initiate this conversation, I will ask you to complete a survey about your perception of IOV. In this survey, I invite you to share your honest opinions regarding our performance and areas for improvement. You will be asked to express your reasons for joining IOV, your expectations from your membership, and how well IOV has met those expectations. You can expect to receive this survey in the early part of January 2026.
You will also be asked to identify one or two areas of IOV’s work where you feel inspired to contribute your skills and experience. Your voices, your insights, and your voluntary engagement will shape the strategic direction of our organization.
I look forward to this collective effort and to building together a renewed, dynamic, and resilient IOV. With your support, I am confident that 2026 will become a year of revitalization and strengthened unity for our organization.
Thank you for your trust, your dedication, and your commitment to the safeguarding of the world’s cultural heritage.
Sincerely,
Prof Chen ping
