World Leisure Organization

📢 Call for Abstracts – ANZALS25 Conference 🗓️ 1–4 December 2025 📍 University of Technology Sydney Submit your abstract and be part of conversations on: ✨ Innovation in education 📝 Abstracts (250–300 words) due by 15 July 2025 📧 Submit to: anzals@uts.edu.au Don't miss the chance to contribute to one of the key leisure studies events of the year! #ANZALS25 #LeisureStudies #CallForAbstracts #CommunityWellbeing #InclusiveLeisure

We're thrilled to invite everyone to join us on World Leisure Day – 16 April 2025. As part of our global celebrations, together with Parks and Leisure Australia we will host a special panel discussion on “Leisure Programs to Address Social Issues” exploring how leisure programs can be used as meaningful tools for social change. Huge thanks to our amazing panelists— David Burns, Dr. Hazel Maxwell Neal Ames, and host Dr. John Tower—for bringing their insights to the table. 🎉 Registration is free, and we’d love to see as many of you there as possible! 📅 Save the date and secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/gs9zSYWB Let’s keep advancing #LeisureForChange and building healthier, more equitable communities together. #WorldLeisureDay #HealthEquity #CommunityWellbeing

🏆 Celebrating Excellence in Leisure – WLO Awards Program 🌍 The World Leisure Organization Awards celebrate the individuals, organizations, and scholars who are shaping the future of leisure through creativity, impact, and excellence. Our awards recognize: 🌟 Innovative organizations creating meaningful leisure opportunities at local, national, or international levels. 🌟 Visionary individuals advancing human well-being through leisure. 🌟 Outstanding scholars whose research has made a significant contribution to leisure theory and practice. 🌟 Emerging student leaders in the fields of leisure, recreation, parks, and tourism. Through this program, WLO reaffirms its mission to promote leisure as a central force for human development, sustainability, and inclusion. 🔗 Learn more about each award and how to apply or nominate: https://lnkd.in/dquz2yqz 📅 Don't forget! Submission deadline: Friday, 23rd May 2025 — make sure to send in your nominations on time! #WLO #LeisureAwards #LeisureForAll #InnovationInLeisure #LeisureLeadership #RecognitionMatters #GlobalLeisure #RecreationAndTourism #LeisureEducation #LeisureResearch #CelebratingExcellence #WLAAwards

#MeetTheBoard: Coen van Bendegom 🏛️ This week, we introduce Coen van Bendegom, an emerging academic specializing in nature-based tourism and outdoor recreation. Coen is currently pursuing a PhD Mid Sweden University through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions program, researching visitor monitoring and sustainable tourism in protected and recreational areas. With a background in sports management, leisure studies, and research, he has worked as a lecturer, researcher, and curriculum developer at Breda University of Applied Sciences and Vancouver Island University. His expertise spans visitor experiences, emotions, and participation in cultural and natural settings. As a WLO Board Member, Coen is committed to advancing leisure as a tool for sustainability, inclusion, and community well-being. 🌿✨ #Leadership #NatureBasedTourism #OutdoorRecreation #LeisureForAll #Sustainability #WLO

🔹Join us online on 16 April for World Leisure Day! Don’t miss this panel on leisure for social change, hosted by WLO and PLA: https://lnkd.in/gs9zSYWB

How do you make space for leisure? 🌍✨ World Leisure Day 2025 is coming on April 16 — but the celebration lasts all month long! 🎉 Whether solo or with your community, take this moment to explore how leisure enhances well-being, quality of life, and human connection, especially in today’s fast-paced, digital world. 🌱💡 Here’s how to join: 1️⃣ Label your event to reflect WL Day’s mission. 2️⃣ Organize your own activity—big or small, in-person or virtual. 3️⃣ Register via the form in our bio link. 4️⃣ Share your leisure moments with #WLDay2025 #WLDay #WorldLeisureDay and tag @worldleisureday! 🌏✨ Let’s make space for leisure—together. 💬 How will you celebrate? Tell us below! 👇 More info: https://lnkd.in/dMb3dbP5 #WLDay2025 #LeisureAndWellbeing #CelebrateLeisure #QualityOfLife #LeisureForAll #WLO #GlobalCelebration #April16 #MakeTimeForLeisure #WellbeingThroughLeisure

World Leisure Centre of Excellence at VIU Director, Aggie Weighill was interviewed by the CBC/Radio-Canada about cruise tourism and what the impacts could be if ships leaving from the USA are no longer required to stop at a Canadian port before arriving in Alaska. #vancouverisland #canada #tourism #cruisetourism

#MeetTheBoard: Teresa L. Penbrooke, PhD 🏛️ This week, we introduce Dr. Teresa L. Penbrooke, a visionary leader in parks, recreation, and community well-being. With over 30 years of experience, Teresa has worked in public and non-profit management, teaching, and research. She is the Executive Director of ActivEnviro (formerly GP RED), a global non-profit focused on education and research for professionals shaping thriving communities. Previously, she was the CEO & Founder of GreenPlay, LLC, leading planning for nearly 650 public agencies in leisure and recreation. As a WLO Board Member since 2025, Teresa brings expertise in strategic planning, leisure management, and accessibility. She is passionate about nature, preventive health, and community engagement, ensuring that leisure remains a pillar of well-being worldwide. 🌿✨ #Leadership #LeisureForAll #CommunityWellBeing #WLO #TeresaPenbrooke

🌍 Leisure for all: Creating inclusive spaces! 🤝 Leisure should be accessible to everyone, regardless of ability, background, or circumstance. Inclusive leisure spaces empower communities to thrive, connect, and feel a true sense of belonging. ✨ Why is inclusive leisure important? ✅ Encourages social connections & diversity ✅ Breaks down barriers & fosters equal opportunities ✅ Promotes well-being & personal growth ✅ Strengthens communities through shared experiences 🌍 This #WLDay2025, let’s celebrate leisure as a tool for inclusion and work towards making it a right, not a privilege! 📢 How do you experience inclusive leisure? Share your thoughts using #WLDay2025 #LeisureForAll #InclusionInLeisure and tag @worldleisureday. 🔗 Learn more: https://buff.ly/ntbP5JN #WLDay2025 #LeisureForAll #InclusiveLeisure #BelongingThroughLeisure #WLO

🌲 Today we are celebrating International Day of Forests! 🌲 #Forests are not just landscapes—they are shared spaces where humans and non-human #animals interact in meaningful ways. How do these encounters shape the atmosphere of forest bathing? Explore this fascinating perspective in the free-access article, "Non-human animals in forest bathing: an atmospheric perspective," by Yiqin Zhang, Hirofumi Ueda & Mengde Wang, available in World Leisure Journal. Gain insights into the role of animals in immersive nature experiences and the impact of multi-species interactions in recreational spaces. 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gKXk2WGp 🌲 ¡Hoy celebramos el Día Internacional de los Bosques! 🌲 Los #bosques no son solo paisajes, sino espacios compartidos donde los seres humanos y los #animales no humanos interactúan de manera significativa. ¿Cómo influyen estos encuentros en la atmósfera del baño de bosque? Descubre esta fascinante perspectiva en el artículo de acceso libre, "Non-human animals in forest bathing: an atmospheric perspective", de Yiqin Zhang, Hirofumi Ueda y Mengde Wang, disponible en World Leisure Journal. Para saber más sobre el papel de los animales en las experiencias inmersivas en la naturaleza y el impacto de las interacciones multiespecies en los espacios recreativos lee el artículo completo aquí: https://lnkd.in/gKXk2WGp #InternationalDayOfForests #DíaInternacionalDeLosBosques #nature #naturaleza #leisure #leisurestudies #ocio #academia #research #investigacion #recreation #outdoors