The Executive Committee of the International Organization of Folk Art (IOV) met in Bergamo, Italy, on 8–9 May 2026. The meeting was chaired by Professor Chen Ping, newly elected President of IOV World and Director of the Academy for Cultural Heritage and Creative Industries at Jinan University.
From left: Secretary General Fabrizio Cattaneo of Italy, Treasurer Jarmila Mrnuštíková of the Czech Republic, President Professor Chen Ping of China, Vice-President Geert Nijhof of the Netherlands, and Vice-President Günther Lippitz of Austria.
Held during a period of institutional transition, the meeting focused on a number of operational and governance priorities, including financial arrangements and the transition of financial responsibilities, membership management, the development of younger leadership, the work of National Sections, website renewal, new media communication, publishing plans, legal support, the establishment of new committees, and preliminary preparations for the 2027 World General Assembly.
Executive Committee members reviewed the ongoing financial transition and agreed to continue work on new banking arrangements in support of the organization’s next phase of management and operations. Related measures will be carried forward step by step in accordance with established procedures.
From left to right: Secretary General Fabrizio Cattaneo (Italy), President Professor Chen Ping (China), and Vice-President Günther Lippitz (Austria).
In the area of communication and institutional visibility, President Chen Ping drew attention to the challenges and opportunities facing international organizations in an era shaped by youth participation, women’s leadership, big data, and artificial intelligence. She underlined the importance of strengthening IOV’s own institutional capacity, enhancing its professional competence, and maintaining its relevance and appeal to younger generations. She also proposed making fuller use of new media in order to broaden the organization’s visibility, contribute more actively to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and strengthen alignment with UNESCO’s work in the protection of cultural heritage and intangible cultural heritage.
In terms of communication and platform development, President Chen Ping emphasized the challenges that youth, women, big data, and the era of artificial intelligence bring to international organizations. He expressed the hope that, by strengthening its own institutional development, IOV could enhance its professional capacity as an international organization and continue to maintain its appeal to young people. He also proposed using the communication power of new media to increase the organization’s international influence, actively support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and better contribute to the implementation of UNESCO conventions concerning the protection of cultural heritage and intangible cultural heritage.
IOV International Executive Committee members held discussions with Fu Qiuhua, President of the Bergamo Chinese Cultural Association, and invited the association to join the International Organization of Folk Art.
The meeting discussed the development of IOV’s new official website and the future direction of its new media work. At the same time, discussions were also held on a cooperation plan with Spectrum of Art magazine. Participants agreed that future communication and publishing work should place greater emphasis on content updates, project presentation, and youth participation.
From left to right: Vice-President Günther Lippitz (Austria), Treasurer Jarmila Mrnuštíková (Czech Republic), President Professor Chen Ping (China), Secretary General Fabrizio Cattaneo (Italy), and Vice-President Geert Nijhof (the Netherlands).
The Executive Committee also reviewed the engagement of legal counsel, the restoration of the Legal Committee, improvements to regular meeting mechanisms, and preparations for the 2027 World General Assembly. These matters will continue to be developed in the period ahead and refined in line with the organization’s broader planning. For reasons of administrative convenience and in support of more institutionalized long-term management, the meeting also approved the decision to transfer the organization’s headquarters to Austria.
Held in person in Bergamo, the meeting provided an opportunity to address several key issues affecting the organization during its current transitional phase. It also established a basis for follow-up work and for the next stage of institutional development.
Other participants included Vice-President Günther Lippitz of Austria, Vice-President Geert Nijhof of the Netherlands, Secretary General Fabrizio Cattaneo of Italy, and Treasurer Jarmila Mrnuštíková of the Czech Republic.
IOV Executive Committee members speak with Fu Qiuhua, Chair of the Bergamo Chinese Cultural Association, and invite the Association to join the International Organization of Folk Art, reflecting IOV’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
