MISSION AND OBJECTIVES

EMA’s mission is twofold:

  • To foster continuous and mindful education through cultural and pedagogical initiatives rooted in the traditional values of martial arts and sport.
  • To recognize and promote individuals and institutions that demonstrate ethical integrity, technical competence, and a consistent human commitment within the martial and sporting disciplines.

EMA aims to transcend a purely performance-oriented or competitive mindset, placing emphasis on the educational and ethical dimensions of practice. It regards martial arts and sport as powerful tools for individual formation and social cohesion, grounded in universal values that unite people across cultures and disciplines.

Official representatives are appointed based on competence, experience, and alignment with EMA’s founding principles. This centralized and values-based structure ensures the effective dissemination of EMA’s mission while fostering meaningful dialogue among diverse traditions, cultures, and practices.

 

CLASSIFICATION

Within the framework of EMA's institutional mission, classification plays a key role in recognizing educational and professional development across martial arts and sport. EMA defines two primary areas of classification:

  1. Titles – reflecting academic, martial, and sports-related designations of competence and teaching responsibility.
  2. Degrees – referring primarily to the technical levels attained in martial arts and, where applicable, in other sports disciplines.

These classifications, governed by EMA’s standards and values, aim to ensure consistency, merit-based progression, and institutional recognition in line with the organization’s international scope and academic orientation.


TITLES

Within EMA, titles are not merely acknowledgments of technical competence but recognitions of individuals who have distinguished themselves at the international and national level. They symbolize a commitment to knowledge, ethics, and pedagogy, and serve as an academic value added to their personal and professional journey.

Professor
The title of Professor represents the highest academic and technical distinction within EMA. It is conferred upon individuals who have demonstrated excellence in research, education, and cultural responsibility, standing as authoritative references for the scientific and ethical transmission of their martial or sporting discipline. Professors embody both international and national prestige, representing the most advanced level of academic contribution within EMA.

Master Educator
The title of Master Educator designates individuals who, beyond their advanced martial proficiency, have distinguished themselves as guides and mentors for both students and instructors. The addition of Educator highlights that mastery is inseparable from pedagogy: their mission extends beyond technical instruction, encompassing the cultivation of values, discipline, and a holistic vision of education in martial arts and sport. Master Educators reflect both international and national authority and responsibility in shaping future generations.

Instructor Educator
The title of Instructor Educator refers to those entrusted with the direct and daily responsibility of training practitioners. They are recognized not only for their teaching competence but for their ability to foster personal and ethical growth in students. The designation Educator emphasizes that their role transcends simple instruction, embracing mentorship and the promotion of an educational journey aligned with EMA principles. Instructor Educators represent the essential foundation of EMA’s educational mission at both the national and international level.

 

 

DEGREES

Degrees refer primarily to technical ranks, especially within martial arts, and serve as a structured path of progression that reflects skill, knowledge, and personal development.

Martial Arts Degrees (Dan levels):

  • 1st Dan – Shodan (entry-level black belt)
  • 2nd Dan – Nidan
  • 3rd Dan – Sandan
  • 4th Dan – Yondan
  • 5th Dan – Godan
  • ... up to 10th Dan, where applicable

These degrees are recognized across disciplines such as:

  • Judo
  • Karate
  • Aikido
  • Taekwondo
  • Ju Jitsu
  • Kendo, and others

Possible Degree Equivalents in Sport (non-martial): While martial arts have a codified Dan system, other sports may recognize athlete progression or certification through structured stages, such as:

  • Level 1 / Level 2 / Level 3 Coach Certifications
  • Referee Levels (regional, national, international)
  • Performance Grades (e.g. competitive license tiers, Olympic qualification ranks)

EMA reviews such frameworks and, where appropriate, integrates them under its own evaluation criteria to ensure institutional coherence.

All degrees, like titles, are centralized under EMA's official validation process, in full alignment with its academic and ethical framework.