World Leisure to stage panel discussion at United Nations Forum

The World Leisure Organization (WLO), the international body dedicated to promoting leisure as a force for human growth, development and wellbeing, is to present an online panel discussion as an official side event at the upcoming United Nations High Level Political Forum (UN HLPF) on Sustainable Development.

Organized by the World Leisure Organization (WLO) in collaboration with the Canadian Association for Leisure Studies (CALS), the China-International Leisure Research Association (CILRA), the Leisure Studies Association (LSA) of the United Kingdom and The Academy of Leisure Sciences (TALS) of the USA, the panel discussion - which can be viewed as an online webinar - is held under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.

With the theme 'Leisure as a Catalyst: Empowering Communities and Alleviating Poverty', the event will delve into the critical importance of integrating leisure into policies aimed at eradicating poverty and advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development - recognising leisure's potential to foster social inclusion and enhance community well-being, the panel will explore sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions, particularly for marginalised communities.

It will be moderated by Joanne Schroeder, WLO Chair, Vancouver Island University, Canada and will feature a panel of experts who will share their insights and experiences:

• Rasul Mowatt (WLO), Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, North Carolina State University, USA
• Jackie Oncescu (CALS), Faculty of Kinesiology, University of New Brunswick, Canada
• Erwei Dong (CILRA), New York University and The University of The Ryukyus, USA/Japan
• Bailey Ashton Adie (LSA), Geography Research Unit, University of Oulu, Finland
• Lauren Nicole Duffy (TALS), Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, Clemson University, USA

The event is being held on Tuesday 16th July 2024 (Wednesday 17th July in Australia, New Zealand and East Asia) at the following times:

5am to 6am AEST Wednesday 17th July
9pm to 10pm CEST Tuesday 16th July
3pm to 4pm EDT Tuesday 16th July

Click here for more information.