|  | Feature: Sport and Leisure | No.50 May 2007 |

The World Leisure Organization: Promoting Enhanced Quality of Life through Advocacy, Research and Education Christopher R. Edginton |
Abstract Leisure is a powerful force, influencing the quality of life and well-being of communities and nations as a whole. Although there is no consensus on how leisure is defined and it is influenced by cultural perspectives, three main views have been identified in the literature. Leisure has been defined as time, activity and/or as a state of mind. There are multiple benefits that can be derived from varied and numerous types of leisure experiences. Furthermore, the moral and philosophical underpinnings supporting leisure are manifested in a number of United Nations declarations, covenants and principles. These statements provide ample evidence supporting leisure as a basic human right. The World Leisure Organization is a major membership focused association dedicated to improving quality of life through leisure. It’s varied and numerous programs are reported on in this article. Introduction Individuals, communities and nations throughout the world seek to improve the quality of their lives and well-being. The dramatic economic and technological changes experienced over the past century have resulted in the reduction of human physical labor and the reorganisation of work. Throughout the world, we see increases in discretionary time and income. Such changes have provided opportunities for individuals to live a more creative, fulfilling and meaningful life. Today, the individual expression of ones identity is often drawn and amplified as a result of their leisure experiences. It is not unusual for an individual to define their self-concept as much through their leisure as their work. World-wide, people seek greater open expression, choice and support for environmental sustainability. Communities world-wide seek to improve their livability by enhancing their social, cultural and environmental resources. Reflecting the trend of the increased importance of living in safe, well ordered, healthy, environmentally friendly and ascetically pleasing places which provide opportunities for social contact, expressions of ones cultural identity and the opportunity to enjoy leisure in its fullest manifestations, communities seek to improve their livability through leisure. Many new commercial developments and businesses are often attracted into communities that have focused their development on themes built upon improving quality of life. It is evident that there is a clear link between those communities perceived as livable, and the perception that they are an excellent place to locate a business. Nations seek to promote greater well-being by providing policies that encourage reasonable work conditions, as well as ensuring that leisure amenities and resources are available. As national aspirations are increasingly focused on improving well-being, happiness and life satisfaction and economic welfare, leisure has an important role to play. The five-day working week is virtually universal in developed countries as an element of national policy. Tourism is one of the world’s leading industries and nations seek to position themselves in ways which their societies are economically advantaged through this type of development. A focus on leisure and the provision of other similar amenities can serve to enrich, enhance and nourish the lives of all on a nationwide basis. Today, for many, leisure is one of life’s greatest gifts. It is an important dimension, potentially influencing the quality of each and every individual’s life (Edginton, DeGraaf, Dieser & Edginton 2006). Leisure is a powerful force, shaping the social and cultural life of individuals world-wide. Leisure oriented environments provide the opportunity for the enhancement of ascetic values and the promotion of greater sustainability. This article is directed toward providing additional information regarding ways of defining leisure and its benefits, as well as providing a rationale for its moral and philosophical underpinnings as a human right. In addition, the article provides an overview of the work of the World Leisure Organization (WLO). Defining Leisure and Its Benefits Leisure is difficult to define. Social, cultural, economic and even political perspectives influence perceptions of individual and societal concepts of leisure. Nonetheless, leisure has been conceptualized from three generally accepted points of view. The first and chief way of viewing leisure is to see it as time. We have work time, free time, and the time that is used to sustain our life bodily functions. According to Edginton, DeGraaf, Dieser and Edginton (2006 p 39), time “can be divided into three segments – existence (work), subsistence (addressing physical needs) and discretionary (free or unobligated) time” (ibid). Further, Iso-Ahola (1999) has suggested that “in every day usage of the language, people refer to all non working hours as free time.” Another way of viewing leisure is as a discrete set of activities within which one spends time. Just what are leisure activities? The French sociologist Dumazedier (1967) is credited with framing leisure from this orientation. He proposed that leisure is activity that is separate from work, family or society. Dumazedier suggests that leisure is simply a type of activity a person participates in during their free time. There are many leisure activities within which individuals participate – social, physical (games, sports and athletic competitions), literary, outdoor pursuits (land, air and water), hobbies, arts and crafts, performing arts (music, dance and drama), wellness and fitness, travel and tourism and volunteer activities. Such activities are often pursued formally or informally by individuals in casual or serious formats and/or on an individual basis and/or with others. A third way of perceiving leisure is to view it as a state of mind. From this perspective, leisure can be thought of as an experience that reflects an individual’s values, feelings, perspectives and past life experiences (ibid). The notion that leisure is a state of mind suggests that is a highly personalised experience reflecting an individual’s feelings, moods and/or states of being as they are engaged in an experience. As mentioned above, leisure experiences may occur in casual social encounters as we create meaning in our lives through interactions with ourselves, others and/or the environment. As a result, all such encounters may have the potential for leisure. Viewing leisure from this perspective often focuses on defining the antecedents required as predecessors for leisure. These include: freedom or perceived freedom, perceived competence and intrinsic motivation. Viewing leisure from this perspective suggests that a person must be free to choose or participate, feel competent and must be motivated from within to experience leisure. Leisure creates the opportunity for many benefits. A benefit can be thought of in this context as anything that enhances the well-being of an individual. Leisure benefits provide substantial advantages to individuals including their social, cultural, physical, intellectual, spiritual and emotional well-being. Leisure, in its varied and many forms, creates multiple opportunities for individuals to improve their lives, promoting greater happiness, joy and well-being in their lives. For example, the relationship between leisure and physical activity is a sought after end by many individuals in most societies. Individuals seek to improve their fitness by enhancing their strength, speed, endurance and agility through participation in physical activity during their leisure. Such benefits lead to living life in a healthier fashion. There are a number of classification systems that have been developed to identify and define leisure benefits. Such systems have emphasised the personal or individual nature of benefits, as well as those which impact on communities as a whole. In the latter sense, for example, leisure benefits can impact on a communities well-being by enhancing employment opportunities as well as the general ambience and livability of a given town, city or geographic area. Also, leisure benefits can be viewed from various perspectives. There are social, economic, psychological, physiological and others. For example, leisure can influence the psychological well-being of individuals by enhancing opportunities for greater stimulation and reflection, leading to the building of one’s self concept and improving the opportunities for greater self actualisation. Leisure and the Promotion of Human Rights Leisure is often thought of as being synonymous with freedom. Leisure provides opportunities for individuals to freely or voluntarily engage in life experiences that are satisfying and contribute to an individuals well-being. Well-constructed leisure experiences can contribute to the development of the individual to communities as well as societies as a whole. Central in the quest for leisure is the affirmation of one’s human right to engage in leisure in its many and varied forms. The ability of individuals to have the opportunity to choose meaningful and relevant leisure experiences in a responsible fashion is viewed as a fundamental human right. The World Leisure Organization draws its moral and philosophical underpinnings from several declarations, covenants and statements of principle by the United Nations (UN). Central in securing freedom, justice and promoting the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is The UN Declaration of Human Rights (1948). This declaration provides a framework and standard for affirming these important and precious human rights. In particular, Article 24 of this document provides direct support and affirmation for the work of the organisation. Article 24 of this document notes that “everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay” (1948). Further, Article 27 indicates that “everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits” (1948). A number of other UN covenants and conventions speak to the rights of individuals to participate in meaningful leisure, play and recreation activities. As an example, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child notes “the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts (1989, p 9).” Also, the UN Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women Article 13 supports “the right to participate in recreational activities sports and all aspects of cultural life” in an equitable fashion among men and women (1979). The UN Principles for Older Persons Clause 16 indicates that such individuals “should have access to the educational, cultural, spiritual and recreational resources of society (1999). The World Leisure Organization The World Leisure Organization (WLO) was founded in 1952. Initially known as the International Recreation Association (IRA), the organization changed its name in 1973 to be known as World Leisure and Recreation Association (WLRA). In April 2007, the WLO Board of Directors voted to change the name of the organisation to its current title. This move was affirmed by the general membership of the organisation. Over the past 50 years, the work of the organisation has remained focused on improving the quality of life of individuals world-wide by networking concerned citizens, practicing professionals, educators, government officials and other policy makers. Today, WLO has positioned itself as “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 wellbeing” (2005, p2). WLO works through its advocacy, research and educational efforts to: 1) promote leisure as integral to social, cultural and economic development; 2) support the rights of all people to good quality leisure experiences; and 3) recognize that many have special requirements related to disability, age, gender, social status, poverty, domicile and education (ibid). By viewing leisure in an inclusive fashion, the organisation embraces terms such as play, recreation, the arts and culture, sport, festivals and celebrations, health and fitness, and travel and tourism as a way of identifying its focus areas. WLO’s Constitution and By-laws references the importance of 1) expanding and enlarging one’s ability to choose; 2) a greater desire for open expression; and 3) the affirmation and enrichment of cultural identities (2005). WLO is committed to the belief that well-selected leisure experiences can improve the quality of life for all... from childhood to later life (ibid). WLO holds consultative status with the UN and affirms the human rights statements as reflected in the aforementioned declarations, covenants and conventions of that organisation including the UN Declaration of Human Rights and its own Charter for Leisure (2000). WLO’s strategic plan A World Fit for Living: World Leisure Priorities for People 2004-2008 provides guidance for the efforts of the organisation (2003). WLO believes that leisure is central to assisting individuals, communities and nations in their pursuit of social, cultural and economic development. As such, WLO promotes the following: 1) governments should provide policy and legislation, and support programs designed to optimise leisure opportunities; 2) the community should be informed of the benefits of participation; 3) children and adults should acquire knowledge and skills to derive full benefits from leisure; 4) public, commercial, and voluntary sectors should cooperate to optimise outcomes; and 5) all sectors should work toward removing the barriers or constraints to leisure involvement (ibid). Four priority areas are identified in WLO’s strategic plan. These are: 1) heightening the awareness of leisure benefits; 2) improving policy and legislation; 3) strengthening leadership; and 4) expanding international cooperation. The priority areas have been featured in WLO’s organisational framework, emphasising forums, delivery of programs, promotion of research and inquiry, and in establishing collaborative, consultative partnerships with government agencies, national and international non-government organisations, business and corporations committed to promoting and developing the social, cultural and economic benefits of leisure. For example, WLO has developed a number of affiliate relationships with such compatible organisations as the World Tourism Organization (WTO), International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE) and Conference of Ministers of Youth and Sports of French Speaking Countries (CONFEJES) to mention a few. A strategic planning initiative is under way for the years 2009-2014. The current strategic planning framework calls for a process of intentional goal setting to enable the organisation to examine its current and potential future activities. A framework for the planning effort has yielded a new set of priorities and strategies referenced in the forthcoming document Leisure: Enhancing the Human Condition – World Leisure’s Priorities and Strategies 2009 – 2014. The overarching theme of this strategic planning effort will be to link the work of the organisation with the UN’s Millennium Goals Project. This effort is aimed at enhancing the human condition by “combating poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women (2002, p 1). WLO provides a number of programs and services. Most important are its Biennial World Leisure Congresses and World Leisure Regional Conferences. The 2006 World Leisure Congress was held in Hangzhou, The Peoples Republic of China; 2008 will be in Quebec City, Canada; and 2010 in Chuncheon City, Korea. WLO’s first EXPO was held in conjunction with the events of the 2006 World Leisure Congress. WLO’s last regional conference was held in Malmö, Sweden, and focused on the theme of “Leisure and the Young Immigrant.” A number of forums and summits have been held including World Leisure’s High-level Forum featuring a keynote presentation by Madame Wu Yi, Vice Premier, State Council of The Peoples Republic of China. A forthcoming World Leisure Summit focusing on establishing policy in support of leisure as being integral to social, cultural and economic development is also scheduled for 2008. In 1998, the World Leisure Summit held in Sao Paulo, Brazil produced an important policy statement known as the Declaration on Leisure and Globalization. Also, WLO maintains several educational and research centers. The first of these was established in 1992 at the University of Wageningen, The Netherlands and is known as the World Leisure Centre of Excellence (WICE). The Asian Pacific Center for the Study of Leisure (APCO) was established in 2004 at Zhejiang University in The Peoples Republic of China. Both of these centers conduct educational, research and training programs for professionals including a Master of Science Degree in Leisure, Tourism and Environment at the University of Wageningen. The World Leisure Journal serves as an outlet to disseminate both basic and applied research with the notion that the advocacy role sought by the organisation can be enhanced. The journal is published quarterly, peer reviewed and includes special feature articles, book reviews and journal abstracts. Still another important program of World Leisure is the operation of its commissions and working groups. These bodies provide opportunities for individual members to focus their interests in specialised areas such as: access and inclusion, children and youth, education, management, leisure in later life, law and policy, research, tourism and the environment, volunteerism, women and gender, and health and wellness. Summary Leisure is an important social, cultural and economic force influencing the social, cultural and economic well being of individuals, communities and nations world-wide. Leisure has the power to transform individuals, contributing to their quality of life and enhancing their well-being. Leisure provides opportunities for individuals to engage in more free and open expressions of behavior as well as to choose life experiences that reflect their individual needs, desires, goals and aspirations. The World Leisure Organization is committed to improving the quality of life of individuals throughout the world. As a world wide, non-governmental voluntary organisation, WLO works with citizens, practicing professionals, educators, governmental officials and others to advance leisure concerns. The organisation is dedicated to discovering and fostering those conditions, which permit leisure to serve as a force to optimise individual well-being (2005). Through its many and varied programs and services, the organisation works to advance the cause of leisure by engaging in advocacy, research and educational activities. Like many membership focused organisations, WLO works to build collaborative and cooperative efforts with other similar organisations to expand and accentuate its impact. References Edginton, C. R., DeGraaf, D. G., Dieser, R. B., & Edginton, S. R. (2006). Leisure and life satisfaction foundation perspectives (4th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. Iso-Ahola, S. (1999). Motivational foundations of leisure. In E. Jackson & T. Burton (Eds.), Leisure studies: Prospects for the 21st century (pp. 35-51). State College, PA: Venture Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. (1989). Convention on the rights of the child. Retrieved May 15, 2007, from the United Nations Department of Public Information Web site: http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/k2crc.htm. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. (1948). Universal declaration of human rights. Retrieved May 15, 2007, from the United Nations Department of Public Information Web site: http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (1979). Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. Retrieved May 15, 2007, from http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/ United Nations Division for Social Policy and Development. (1999). United Nations principles for older persons. Retrieved May 15, 2007, from http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/iyop/iyoppop.htm#Principles United Nations (2002) Implementing the Millennium Declaration – Fact Sheet. New York: Retrieved May 15, 2007 from http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/ World Leisure. (1998). São Paulo Declaration – Leisure in a globalized society. Retrieved May 15, 2007, from http://www.worldleisure.org/pdfs/saupaulo.pdf World Leisure. (2000). Charter for leisure. Retrieved May 15, 2007, from http://www.worldleisure.org/pdfs/charter.pdf World Leisure. (2003). A world fit for living: World leisure priorities for people 2004-2008. Retrieved May 15, 2007, from http://www.worldleisure.org/about/priorities_for_people/priorities.html World Leisure. (2005). Constitution of the world leisure and recreation association. World Leisure Secretariat. Contact Christopher R. Edginton, Ph.D. Secretary General World Leisure Organization Cedar Falls, Iowa USA Email: edginton@worldleisure.org http://www.icsspe.org/portal/index.php?w=1&z=5 The World Leisure Organization: Promoting Enhanced Quality of Life through Advocacy, Research and Education Christopher R. Edginton