The History of Brain Education
The Brain Education movement dates back to 1980, when Ilchi Lee had the revelation that the answers to humanity's problems lie in the brain. He studied the core philosophy of the ancient founding culture of Korea, "Hong Ik In Gan", meaning "people who live for the betterment of all humanity and the Earth". One of the central teachings is "Sam Il Shin Go", which tell us the answers we need are already in our brains. Ilchi Lee realized that this philosophy applied to all of humankind, regardless of nationality, race, or religion, and if we all were to learn to use our brains well, it could serve as the basis for peace for all of humankind and a sustainable future for the Earth.Since 1980, Ilchi Lee has devoted his life to the development of Brain Education, with the ultimate goal of helping people create health, happiness and peace for themselves, others, and the world. He began by developing and sharing programs in his native Korea, helping people recover their physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being and increasing their ability to succeed and contribute in the world.
In 1990, Ilchi Lee established the Korea Institute of Brain Science, a research organization dedicated to the study of brain function and potential. The first book on Brain Education, Secrets of the Brain was published, and Lee began developing Brain Education programs in Korea. Brain Education programs were introduced to the US in 1991, and spread shortly after to countries such as Canada, England, Japan, Russia, and Germany.
In 1997, the second Brain Education book, Brain Respiration, was published in Korea. This book outlined a systematic 5-step approach for using the brain well, which would later be called the BEST (Brain Education System Training) method. Children who did participated in advanced Brain Education training began to demonstrate the benefits of developing the latent potential of their brains. Their incredible performance prompted a greater interest in Brain Education in Korean society. In 1998, the BR Education Corporation, a company that provided educational programs, was established. Brain Education to enhance education has been successfully deployed in community settings, schools, companies, and governmental and non-governmental organizations around the world.
In 2002, the University of Brain Education was founded, marking the beginning of the more formalized study and development of Brain Education. At the First International HSP Olympiad, held in 2005, neuroscientists, educators, and others highlighted and demonstrated the potential of the brain through presentations and friendly competitions involving more than 500 participants. Through this event, co-sponsored by the Korean government, Brain Education became recognized as a well-developed educational methodology supported by scientific research.
In 2006, after the Second International Brain HSP Olympiad, the International Brain Education Association (IBREA) was founded in Korea to increase public awareness of about the unlimited potential of the human brain.
In July of 2007, KIBS was designated as an NGO (Non-governmental organization) in Roster Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), recognizing the importance of KIBS's scientific research on Brain Education and its potential to contribute to the mission of the United Nations. That same year, the 3rd International Brain HSP Olympiad and Brain Education Conference was held for the first time in the US, in Ellenville, NY. Following this event, IBREA USA and IBREA Japan were founded.
In 2008, the 4th International Brain HSP Olympiad and Brain Education Conference were held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Following the Brain Education Conference, an inauguration ceremony was held, celebrating the establishment of Brain Education representatives in 100 countries around the world.