WLO officials visited ChunCheon, Korea on March 7-8 to discuss the preliminary congress program and major agenda for the 2010 World Leisure Congress & Leisure Games at the committee meetings for Congress Program, Congress Operation, Games Operation and Trade Show Operation.

The theme of the 11th World Leisure Congress in ChunCheon, Korea is "Leisure and Identities." In conjunction with the Congress, ChunCheon will also hold the Inaugural World Leisure Games with 13 gamess with the theme of "Improving Quality of Life through Leisure Experiences" and the World Leisure Trade Show that will showcase trends in leisure products.

ChunCheon City has been designated as a “leisure city” by the government of Korea and the World Leisure Congress and Leisure Games will serve to assist the community with its new focus. ChunCheon City is a community of over 250,000 located approximately 80 kilometers from Seoul. Noted for its scenic beauty, forest, and man-made lakes, ChunCheon City’s major industries include tourism, knowledge and culture, and education.

Interested in starting a World Leisure Center of Excellence at your college or university?

The World Leisure Organization (WLO) requests proposals to establish new World Leisure Center of Excellence (WLCE) programs. The required documentation of expertise and qualifications outlined in this request are intended to serve primarily as a
general guide for each statement of qualifications, with the minimum requirements listed. Each college and/or university is expected to submit a fully detailed statement of qualifications, which adequately describes the advantages and benefits WLO would realize by selecting their institution. Through this Request for Proposal process WLO may select multiple intuitions to establish WICE. See the full request.

World Leisure Program Managers meet to discuss Congress and Conference Program and Marketing Strategies

Clarke Quay and the National Museum of Art in Singapore were the settings of meetings which included Dr. Christopher Edginton, World Leisure Secretary General; Dr. Min-Kai Chin, World Leisure Program Manager - Event Management (North American, Central America, South American and Asia) and Mr. Garry Henshall, World Leisure Program Manager - Event Management (Africa, Europe, Middle East and Oceania). A strategy for managing World Leisure Congresses and Conferences was discussed and plans were made to secure locations and sites from 2009 through 2016 for these types of events.

Expert panel review 2006 World Leisure EXPO

Hangzhou Municipal People's Government Vice-Mayor Zhang Jian Ting and World Leisure Secretary General, Dr. Christopher Edginton presided over a review of the 2006 World Leisure EXPO with a panel of experts. The critique provided five (5) major elements to be considered in future planning as follows: 1) need for a more precise definition of World Leisure EXPO; 2) a need to refine the theme of the forthcoming 2011 World Leisure EXPO; 3) the need for strategies of public involvement in the formulation of the World Leisure EXPO concept; 4) a need to explain the linkage of leisure to the culture of Hangzhou and to world culture; 5) the need to ensure that a strong academic component in the forthcoming event.

The World Leisure Organization and BITS Work in Partnership

The Institut de tourisme et d'hotellerie in Montreal, Canada was the site of a landmark meeting between the World Leisure Organization and the Bureau of Social Tourism. Drawn together by compatible philosophical and moral imperatives, these two organizations met to discuss opportunities of mutual interest. Specifically, representatives of the organization reviewed plans to stage the 2008 World Leisure Congress and BITS World Congress collaboratively from October 6 - 10 in Quebec City , Canada . Further, attention was focused on developing a joint declaration of intent between the two organizations.

Pictured left: World Leisure Secretary General, Dr. Christopher Edginton and Bureau international du tourisme social président Norberto Tonini.

Secretary General meets with the 2008 Quebec City World Leisure Congress Organizing Committee

Dr. Christopher R. Edginton, Secretary General of the World Leisure Organization met with members of the 2008 Quebec City World Leisure Congress Organizing Committee to discuss basic program design, keynote speakers, partnerships, budget, inscription rates, accommodations, logo, and marketing and promotional strategies. In attendance at the meeting were Luc Toupin; Secretary General; Andre Thibault; Michel Beauregard, President and Daniel Caron, Director General (Conseil quebecois du Loisir).

World Leisure Assessment Team in Wroclaw, Poland

A World Leisure Assessment Team visited Wroclaw , Poland to review there bid proposal for the 2012 Wold Leisure Congress. Team members included Dr. Derek Casey, Andrew Williams, and the Secretary General. Dr. Jeannie Agrios accompanied her husband. Activities included visiting Panorama Raclawicka Museum, historic town center, Wroclaw Race Curse Partynice, "Zamek na Skale" Castle, Ladek Zdroj Health and Spa Resort, Agro-Tourism Guesthouse, Wroclaw Opera House, and the proposed congress venue Centennial Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The team was greeted by Rafal Dutkiewicz, Mayor of Wroclaw, and other officials. Dr. Bohdan Jung, Juliet D. Golden, Pawel Panczyj, Maciej Litwin, Hanna Domagala, Agnieszka Jablonska, Pawel Lukasiewicz, and Piotr Borys made presentations on behalf of the City and Convention Bureau. A highlight of the visit was dinner with Nobel Laureate, Dr. Robert Curl, Rice University , Houston , Texas , USA . September 21 - 26, 2007

World Leisure Officers speak at 10th Lower Silesian Science Festival, Wroclaw, Poland

Dr. Christopher R. Edginton, Secretary General of the World Leisure Organization presented a paper entitled "The World Leisure Organization" at the “Learning for Leisure, Learning for the Future” Symposium as a part of the 10th Lower Silesian Science Festival, Wroclaw, Poland. Other presentations included "Leisure Relevance and Realism" (Dr. Derek Casey), "How One Can Win a World Championship Bid" (Mr. Jack Agrios), "Wellness, Leisure and Recreation" (Dr. Jeannie Agrios).

Secretary General speaks at International Sports Industry Forum in Guangzhou, China

Dr. Christopher R. Edginton presented a paper entitled  "Leisure and Transformation: Enhancing the Human Condition." A keynote presentation at the Guangdong (China) International Sports Industry Forum in Guangzhou, The Peoples Republic of China (September 2007).  During Dr. Edginton's visit, he briefly met with Wang Jun, Vice Minister of the State Sport General Administration of China; Liu Jiana Nan, Secretary Director General , Guangzhou Sports Bureau; and Yang Naijun, Director of the Sports Administration of Guangdong Province.

Secretary Genreal meets with Vice-Chairman of the China National Tourism Association

Dr. Christopher Edginton, Secretary General of the World Leisure Organization (WLO) met with the Dr. Du Jaing, Vice-Chairman of the China National Tourism Association (CNTA) on September 10, 2007. Dr. Du welcomed Dr. Edginton on behalf of the Chairman, Dr. Shao Qiwei, noting that the leisure industry is the result of social, cultural and economical development in China . The growth of Chinese economy has lead to the rapid rise of leisure. Dr. Du noted that tourism is an important part of the leisure industry and pledged the support of CNTA to further cooperation with WLO. Dr. Edginton stated that the WLO's cooperation with the City of Hangzhou in promoting the 2006 World Leisure EXPO and Congress is a good example of the Organization's commitment to China . He noted that WLO will vigorously support the development of the leisure industry in China in the future.

Two new publications are available: Leisure in Context: Implications for Human Development and Well-being and Leisure and Quality of Life: Impacts of Social and Cultural Development.

Leisure in Context: Implications for Human Development and Well-being is a collection of selected presentations from the 9th World Leisure Congress in Hangzhou, China . The document is available $30 (USD) for members or $35 (USD) for nonmembers.

Leisure and Quality of Life: Impacts of Social and Cultural Development was e dited and compiled by Dr. Edgar L. Jackson. This is a repor tthat includes papers by leading academics including: Linda Caldwell, Garry Chick, Sherry Dupuis, Karen Fox, Valeria Freysinger, Geoffrey Godbey, Karla Henderson, Yoshitaka Iwasaki, Edgar Jackson, Tess Kay, Roger Mannell, Chris Rojek, Susan Shaw, A.J. Veal and Daniel Williams. The document is available $30 (USD) for members or $35 (USD) for nonmembers.

Order forms can be downloaded here.

World Leisure Strategic Planning Initiative 2008 - 2014

In October 2006, the World Leisure Board of Directors initiated a strategic planning process by receiving presentations from a number of individuals on topics ranging from technology to enhancing membership services. A dialog on a wide range of initiatives was undertaken and members of the World Leisure Board of Directors identified a number of priority items. Following this conversation, a preliminary draft document entitled “ Leisure: Enhancing the Human Condition, World Leisure's Priorities and Strategies 2009 – 2014” was prepared and then submitted to the World Leisure Executive Committee for its review during its most recent meeting. Consultation in drafting the document was provided by Dr. Roger Coles, Dr. Gerald Fain and Dr. Larry Neal. The World Leisure Executive Committee provided extensive and thorough commentary regarding the proposed strategic plan. The document has been revised based on feedback from the World Leisure Executive Committee and has been organized into a booklet format for review at the forthcoming World Leisure Board of Directors meeting in December 2007. Following review by the World Leisure Board of Directors, the strategic plan will be presented to the general membership of the organization in Quebec City in 2008 for their feedback. This information will then be reviewed for approval by the World Leisure Board of Directors for implementation starting in 2009.

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World Leisure United Nations Commission Programs Approved

The work of the Commission is reflected in the motions approved by the Executive Committee at the First World Hotel, Hangzhou , The People's Republic of China, October 15, 2006. 1.  Creation of the World Leisure Global Civil Society Internship Program with policy and procedures to be approved by the Executive Committee,  2.  Establishment of the United Nations Delegate Assembly consisting of representatives from the 192 UN Member Nations with policies and procedures to be approved by the Executive Committee, and 3.  Expansion of the United Nations Commission by adding six (6) Commissioners, each serving staggered three-year terms. The appointed United Nations Representative shall serve as Head of the Commission, serving a five-year term.  The Commission is actively seeking affiliations with other United Nations organizations and bodies.  Representatives from World Leisure will be attending the United Nations Annual NGO Conference in New York City , September 2007.  The next meeting of the Commission open to the general membership is planned for Quebec , October 2008.

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Two finalists were identified as potential host sites for the 2012 World Leisure Congress – Rimini, Italy and Wroclaw, Poland. Rimini, Italy has positioned itself as a destination site for both national and international events. It is one of Europe's most famous tourist locations and is recognized as a leader in the tourism and leisure industry. The proposed theme offered by Rimini is “Leisure and Tourism: Enhancing the Mature Destination.” Wroclaw, Poland is a university community and major business center seeking to showcase the community within the context of leisure. The community has positioned itself as the forefront of change in the “new Europe .” The proposed theme is “Leisure, Creativity and Innovation.” Following the assessment procedure to be conducted by November 2007, the World Leisure Board of Directors will announce the location of the 2012 World Leisure Congress at its December 2007 meeting.

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A World Leisure Ad-hoc Educational Committee has been established to study and propose a value-added educational initiative that enables colleges and universities worldwide to affiliate themselves with World Leisure. Dr. Roger Weis, Murry State University (USA) serves as Chair and is assisted by Dr. Tues Kamphorst, University of Wageningen (The Netherlands), Dr. Roger Coles, Central Michigan University (USA), and Francis Lobo, Edith Cowan University (Australia). The committee is reviewing a benefits structure, program criteria, value-added strategies, management strategies, budget and interface with World Leisure's International Center of Excellence (WICE) at the University of Wageningen. Significant dialog is occurring among committee members at this time and a report will be forthcoming in October at the World Leisure Congress in Hangzhou, The People's Republic of China.

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Chuncheon City, Korea Wins 11 th World Leisure Congress

Chuncheon City, Korea is the bid winner of the 11 th World Leisure Congress to be held in 2010. Derek Casey, Chairman of the World Leisure Board of Directors, announced the winner at a press conference attended by the local, national and international press held in Chuncheon City, Korea on August 26, 2005. In selecting Chuncheon City, Casey indicted that “. . . strong support from the community as well as provincial and national leaders were strong elements influencing the selection process.” In addition, the Chuncheon City proposal was particularly effective in addressing priorities of the World Leisure Organization especially the proposed peace initiative with North Korea. Secretary General of World Leisure, Christopher Edginton, noted that “. . . legacy elements such as the development of distinctive areas and facilities and programs and events will have an impact on the community in future years to come.”

A community celebration to announce the event to the community was attended by over 20,000 individuals and featured presentations by Dong-chea Chung, Korean Ministry of Culture and Tourism; Jin-sun Kim, Governor, Gangwon Province; Chong-Su Ryu, Mayor, Chuncheon City; Dong-Sung Cho, President, Korean Society for Leisure and Culture Studies; Chairman Casey, Secretary General Edginton, and others. Chuncheon City has been designated as a “leisure city” by the government of Korea and the World Leisure Congress and related events will serve to assist the community with its new focus. Chuncheon City is a community of over 250,000 located approximately 80 kilometers from Seoul. Noted for its scenic beauty, forest, and man-made lakes, Chuncheon City’s major industries include tourism, knowledge and culture, and education.

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