On September 15, 2009 the charter for the VIU World Leisure Centre of Excellence was officially signed at VIU's Nanaimo Campus. Representing the World Leisure Organization (WLO) was Secretary General Dr. Christopher Edginton, while Dr. Ralph Nilson - VIU President and WLO lifetime member - signed on behalf of the university. The Centre, housed in the Department of Recreation and Tourism Management, is the first of its kind in North America and represents an ongoing partnership between VIU and the WLO.
Photos of VIU WLCE Signing Ceremony
The World Leisure Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Leisure management brings together established and emerging scholars from around the globe to share innovative ideas, engage in dialogue and collaborate in research and teaching.
The core themes of the Centre include:
Sustainability
Questioning the relationship between leisure and sustainability, determining the level of sustainability of the leisure industry and inviting and monitoring new models and approaches to enhance sustainability.
Innovation
Rethinking the systems and structures that have evolved across the globe, creating a culture of innovation where new ideas emerge and flourish, and measuring the impact of innovation on sustainability efforts.
The work of the Centre includes:
Creation of a network of scholars from academic, government, non government and community to form a community of practice that engages in dialogue on sustainability and innovation in leisure;
Collaborative scholarship on sustainability and innovation in leisure including research projects, learning abroad opportunities, and interactive media;
Delivery of a Masters degree in Sustainable Leisure Management at Vancouver Island University were emerging scholars learn about he core thematic areas of the Centre while engaging in dialogue with partners within the network.
For more information please contact:
Joanne Schroeder
Email: Joanne.Schroeder@viu.ca
Tel: 250.753.3245 Ext. 2832