An overview of the World Leisure Organization

1. World Leisure Organization
Christopher R. Edginton, Ph.D.
Secretary General
World Leisure Organization

2. 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)

3. Changed name in 1973 to the World
Leisure and Recreation Association
(WRLA)
WLO’s current title was adopted in
2007

4. Goals & Objectives
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

5. 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

6. World Leisure believes . . .
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

7. World Leisure believes . . .
Public, commercial and voluntary sectors should
cooperate to optimize outcomes
Sectors should work towards removing barriers to
leisure involvement

8. World Leisure priorities . . .
Linking to UN Millennium
Development Goals
Enhancing Research and
Scholarship
Advocating for Leisure

9. World Leisure priorities . . .
Expanding Educational
Opportunities
Strengthening Partnerships &
Collaborative Relationships
Expanding Membership

10. How does World Leisure
Achieve these Goals?
Fostering research and
inquiry
Advocating the importance
of leisure
Programming directed at
policy and executive
development

11. Organizational Framework
20-member International
Board of Directors
Officers – Board Chair, Board
Vice Chair, Secretary
General, Treasurer
Executive Committee

12. Organizational Framework
Administration – Secretary General, Program Associates,
other support staff
Thomas Rivers (USA) Director General Derek Casey (UK) Board Chair & Christopher
& Lord Luke (UK) Board Chair Edginton, Secretary General (USA)

13. 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

14. Programs & Services
Forums
 Biennial World Leisure Congresses
 2012 Rimini, Italy
 2014 Mobile Bay, USA
 World Leisure Exposition
 World Leisure EXPO 2006, 2011
Hangzhou, China

15. 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

16. Programs & Services
World Leisure Centers of Excellence (WLCE)
Vancouver Island University
Established 2009
Arizona State University
Established 2010
Asia Pacific Center for the Advanced Study
of Leisure
Zhejiang University, The People’s
Republic of China
Established 2004

17. Programs & Services
World Leisure Prize
 Inaugural Award, 2006

18. 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

19. 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.

20. 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

21. Programs & Services
Partnership Activities
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

22. World Leisure Chapters
Established in 2001 to enable groups
to associate formally with World
Leisure and promote its goals locally
 1st World Leisure Chinese Taipei
Chapter

23. World Leisure Chapters
Existing Chapters
Chinese Taipei Chapter, 2003
China Chapter, 2007
Hong Kong Chapter, 2008
Quebec Chapter, 2009

24. World Leisure Affiliates
 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

25. Membership Benefits
Networking World Wide
Advocating for Leisure
Educational Opportunities
Electronic Communications
Research and Fact Finding
Partner with Collaborating Agencies
World Leisure Journal
Reduced registration fees for
Congresses, Publications, etc.
Participation in World Leisure
Commissions
Reduced rate for publications

26. World Leisure Academy
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

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

28. Functions of the World Leisure Secretariat
Member Services
Communications
Inter-organizational Relations
Board Support
Commission Support
Newsletter
Congress Co-ordination
Archives/Records
Website Development/Maintenance

29. 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 Organization
203 Wellness/Recreation Center
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0241
USA

30. Concluding Comments
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

31. Leisure is the perfect gift!
www.worldleisure.org

32. THANK YOU!