WAAMA Document No.6 /2019
Minutes of the Second Meeting of the Fifth Standing Council of the World Association of Abacus and Mental Arithmetic
On September 2-3, 2019, the World Association of Abacus and Mental Arithmetic (hereinafter referred to as “WAAMA”) held its Second Meeting of the Fifth Standing Council in Toronto, Canada. WAAMA Chairwoman Liu Jianhua attended the meeting and delivered a work report. The meeting deliberated the application of US members to replace the US Vice Chairman of WAAMA, the application of Mexican Abacus Association to join WAAMA, and the adjustment of WAAMA’s appraisal and competition methods. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Cheng Beiping, Secretary-General of WAAMA.
I. Chairwoman Liu Jianhua delivered a work report on behalf of the Second Meeting of the Fifth Standing Council of WAAMA. Chairwoman Liu Jianhua pointed out: The past year was the first year for the Fifth Standing Council of WAAMA to perform its duties. It was also a year for the vigorous development of abacus and mental arithmetic in the world. With the joint efforts of all member units, WAAMA has made remarkable achievements in theoretical research, competition appraisal, teacher training, international exchanges and publicity on abacus skill as well as abacus and mental arithmetic. Chairwoman Liu Jianhua stressed that WAAMA should keep pace with the times, seek innovative development in the next stage, and strive to follow the new concepts of inheritance, conservation, development and innovation of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity, so as to meet the new requirements of the times. To that end, Chairwoman Liu Jianhua made three suggestions on WAAMA’s future work: First, we should broaden communication channels, strengthen communication among member units, and actively play WAAMA’s leading role in the global community. Second, we should actively expand the scale of the organization and persist in planning WAAMA’s various business activities with international standards. Third, we should keep pace with the times, make continuous reforms and innovations, and strive to achieve the innovative development of abacus skill as well as abacus and mental arithmetic.
II. The meeting approved the application of the US member units to replace the US Vice Chairman of WAAMA, and agreed that Jason Lee (US) should resign from the post of Vice Chairman of WAAMA, which should be assumed by Sally Chou (US).
III. The meeting approved the application of the Mexican Abacus Association for joining WAAMA. According to WAAMA’s Articles of Association, the Mexican Abacus Association will become a Council member of the World Association of Abacus and Mental Arithmetic, and the relevant membership procedures shall be handled by the Secretariat as soon as possible.
IV. The meeting discussed and revised the Trial Arrangement of Rating Appraisal on Abacus Skill as well as Abacus and Mental Arithmetic of WAAMA, and revised and improved the procedures of appraisal work organization and management authority, appraisal examination paper and certificate issuance, appraisal examination and appraisal examination paper drafting, etc. For details, please refer to Appendix 1: The Arrangement of Rating Appraisal on Abacus Skill as well as Abacus and Mental Arithmetic of WAAMA (Trial).
V. The meeting discussed WAAMA’s abacus and mental arithmetic competition rules and revised the competition grouping methods and competition awards. For details, Please refer to Appendix 2: Arrangement for the 8th Competition of Abacus and Mental Arithmetic of WAAMA.
VI. The meeting decided that the Eighth Abacus and Mental Arithmetic Competition of the World Association of Abacus and Mental Arithmetic shall be held in Seoul, South Korea on August 15, 2020, and that all member units shall make good preparations for the competition.
VII. On September 3, 2019, Chairwoman Liu Jianhua and her retinue visited the ISTAR Education of Canada, and had a cordial meeting with abacus and mental arithmetic teachers there. Chairwoman Liu Jianhua fully affirmed the development of abacus and mental arithmetic education by the ISTAR Education of Canada, and expressed her gratitude to Ms. Lisha Wang, member of the Standing Council of WAAMA and President of the ISTAR Education of Canada, for her contributions to the Standing Council.
Appendixes: 1. The Arrangement of Rating Appraisal on Abacus Skill as well as Abacus and Mental Arithmetic of WAAMA (Trial)
2. Arrangement for the 8th Competition of Abacus and Mental Arithmetic of WAAMA
The World Association of Abacus and Mental Arithmetic