The objective of the UGS is to explore the vastness of Goju karate and to experience the different approaches schools have to their training, as well as to explore complementary or historically associated arts. It also offers an ideal opportunity for people from other styles and arts to gain an insight into Goju's ways.
Potential instructors are requested to attend on a voluntary basis. The UGS is a non profit event and we wish for it to remain this way to prevent money and politics clouding our goals and objectives. However we do aim to cover any of the instructors travel expenses and also to raise the instructors profile via magazines, internet, DVD's and UGS handbooks. Obviously as a result from instructing at the UGS yourselves and Goju in general will receive more publicity, which will hopefully result in new members at your dojo's and possible interest in association membership. Any profit from the event is used to fund the next UGS event (note: if a large profit is made then a contribution for the instructors time and effort will be made)
The UGS is a non-political event. One of it's aims is to push past the barriers of politics or style interpretations. The UGS is to encourage us to share and unite freely with other Goju exponents. To build friendships and open our minds to different approaches to what we may, or may not already know. I think that the report from 2004 sums it up well in this quotation "we are all spokes of the same wheel." Further more a comment that resulted from the Southampton UGS elaborates by saying "Terry, to try and unite so many varying spokes would have led to a collapsed wheel. However, to have the wisdom to see the links and then bring people together to celebrate the individual paths, allowing so many others a better chance of finding theirs, THAT my friend is enlightenment..." flattering words, but I cannot put it any better myself.
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