International Position Statement on Leisure Education

The Commission on Leisure Education has developed a number of Position Papers, which grew out of several seminars and conferences.

The increase in leisure time has become a universal phenomenon, which holds implications on life of any civilization regardless of its social and cultural structure. People around the world have essential common needs that are expressed in various ways, depending upon different stimuli or conditions given in various times and places.

However, due to influential social forces, and with the increase of leisure, leisure expressions are becoming common universal features and are regarded as desirable and essential for the development of both the individual and society.

In a leisure-centered society, an increase access to a great amount of free time may potentially endanger the quality of leisure of both individuals and society. Preparation of people for the best use of their leisure can eventually enhance their quality of life in which leisure is a safe and desirable possession. Such preparation can be done through education which is properly adapted to the needs of the individuals and society.

A well adaptation to leisure-centered life could help individuals experience good life. Good life is characterized by effective, meaningful, enriched and interesting existence that is based upon feelings of enjoyment, satisfaction, fulfilment and freedom; upon a sense of worth, achievement and self-expression; upon mental, physical and social well-being; and upon the highest and most durable human values which consider and do not interfere with the pursuit of happiness of others.

Leisure education aims to assist children, youth and adults, to reach the good life and the best usage of leisure through the cultivation of their personal intellectual, emotional, physical and social development. Going through the process leisure education can develop an all-round individual, who holds values, attitudes, interests, motivation, habits, knowledge, appreciation and skills which are usable throughout life.

In order to formulate a common international platform for leisure education, the World Leisure Association through its Commission on education sponsored several international seminars. Their main mission was to draft international Position Statements to be used by the Association and other international agencies to further their actions and efforts in the development of leisure education in school systems, community systems and in the training of human resources for various leisure education roles.

This action, which culminated with the following statements, arose from the need of many leisure professionals and institutions at various public and private levels to have sound international platform upon which they may build and develop their leisure education programs.