World Leisure Organization

Christopher R. Edginton, Ph.D.Secretary General

World Leisure Organization

Formed in 1956, World Leisure is a non-profit, non-governmental association of persons and organizations from throughout the world

Originally known as the International Recreation Association (IRA)

Changed name in 1973 to the World Leisure and Recreation Association (WRLA)

WLO’s current title was adopted in 2007

A world-wide, non-governmental voluntary organization . . .

. . . dedicated to discovering and fostering those conditions which permit leisure to serve as a force to optimize collective and individual well-being

Goals & Objectives

Promotes leisure as integral to social, cultural and economic development

Supports the right of all people to good quality leisure experiences

Recognizes that many have special requirements related to disability, age, gender, social status, poverty, domicile and education

Goals & Objectives

Governments should provide policy/legislation and support programs designed to optimize leisure opportunities

Community should be informed of the benefits of leisure participation

Selected leisure experiences can improve the quality of life for all… from childhood to later life

World Leisure believes . . .

Public, commercial and voluntary sectors should cooperate to optimize outcomes

Sectors should work towards removing barriers to leisure involvement

World Leisure believes . . .

Linking to UN Millennium Development Goals

Enhancing Research and Scholarship

Advocating for Leisure

World Leisure priorities . . .

Expanding Educational Opportunities

Strengthening Partnerships & Collaborative Relationships

Expanding Membership

World Leisure priorities . . .

Fostering research and inquiry

Advocating the importance of leisure

Programming directed at policy and executive development

How does World Leisure Achieve these Goals?

20-member International Board of Directors

Officers – Board Chair, Board Vice Chair, Secretary General, Treasurer

Executive Committee

Organizational Framework

Administration – Secretary General, Program Associates, other support staff

Thomas Rivers (USA) Director General & Lord Luke (UK) Board Chair

Derek Casey (UK) Board Chair & Christopher Edginton, Secretary General (USA)

Organizational Framework

Commissions – Specialized groups

Administration – Secretary General, Program Associates, other support staff

Program Directors – World Leisure Educational Services World Leisure International Scholarship

Program World Leisure Event Management World Leisure Commissions United Nations Representative, New York UNESCO Representative, Paris World Leisure Chapters and Affiliates World Leisure Director of International

Marketing & Communications World Leisure Journal, Editor-In-Chief World Leisure Journal, Managing Editor

Organizational Framework

Forums Biennial World Leisure

Congresses 2012 Rimini, Italy 2014 Mobile Bay, USA

World Leisure Exposition World Leisure EXPO 2006,

2011 Hangzhou, China

Programs & Services

World Leisure Summits 1998 San Paulo, Brazil

Declaration on Leisure and Globalization

2008 Quebec City, Canada

Declaration on Leisure and Social, Cultural &

Economic Development

Programs & Services

World Leisure Centers of Excellence (WLCE)

Vancouver Island UniversityEstablished 2009

Arizona State UniversityEstablished 2010

Asia Pacific Center for the Advanced Study of Leisure

Zhejiang University, The People’s Republic of China

Established 2004

Programs & Services

World Leisure Prize Inaugural Award, 2006

Programs & Services

Commissions & Working Groups

Access & Inclusion Children & Youth Education Health Promotion & Disease

Prevention Law & Policy Leisure in Later Life Management Research Tourism & the Environment United Nations Women & Gender

Programs & Services

Thomas and Ruth Rivers International Scholarship Award support for students to attend

and participate in World Leisure Congresses.

provides students with a broader perspective of international leisure trends, issues, philosophies and problems.

successful applicants are provided an opportunity to present a paper at the Congress and participate in special events.

Programs & Services

Research & Inquiry

Basic & Applied Research Dissemination of hard evidence to inform advocacy role

World Leisure Journal Published quarterly All articles peer reviewed Special focus issues Articles, book reviews, journal

abstracts

Programs & Services

World Leisure is a non-governmental organization in consultative status with the Economic & Social Council of the United Nations – our most prized partnership

We seek collaborative arrangements with governments and national and international NGO’s

We endorse conferences and other initiatives by partner organizations which promote social, cultural and economic development through leisure

Programs & ServicesPartnership Activities

Established in 2001 to enable groups to associate formally with World Leisure and promote its goals locally

1st World Leisure Chinese Taipei Chapter

World Leisure Chapters

World Leisure Chapters

Existing Chapters

Chinese Taipei Chapter, 2003

China Chapter, 2007

Hong Kong Chapter, 2008

Quebec Chapter, 2009

Opportunity to link with other organizations Examples of Affiliates

The United Nations World Tourism Organization International Council of Sports Science and Physical

Education American Leisure Academy

Opportunity for other organizations to link with World Leisure

World Leisure Affiliates

Networking World WideAdvocating for LeisureEducational Opportunities Electronic Communications Research and Fact Finding Partner with Collaborating AgenciesWorld Leisure JournalReduced registration fees for Congresses, Publications, etc.Participation in World Leisure CommissionsReduced rate for publications

Membership Benefits

Encourage the study of the phenomena of leisure

Advance knowledge related to leisure best practices

Serve as a interdisciplinary forum

Serve as a forum to discuss issues

Acknowledge the contributions of researchers, educators, practitioners

World Leisure Academy

The affairs of the World Leisure Organization are managed and administered by the World Leisure Secretariat.

World Leisure World Leisure SecretariatSecretariat

Member ServicesCommunicationsInter-organizational RelationsBoard SupportCommission SupportNewsletterCongress Co-ordinationArchives/RecordsWebsite Development/Maintenance

Functions of the World Leisure Secretariat

The World Leisure Secretariat is located at the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa USA

You can write to us at:

World Leisure SecretariatWorld Leisure Secretariat

World Leisure Organization203 Wellness/Recreation CenterUniversity of Northern IowaCedar Falls, IA 50614-0241USA

The desire for increased quality of life is evident throughout the world

Leisure holds great promise for fulfilling the dream of creating meaningful life experiences for all

Leisure is a powerful force that aids in assisting individuals find happiness and joy in one’s live

Leisure aids in the livability of our communities

Concluding Comments

www.worldleisure.org

Leisure is the perfect gift!

THANK YOU!