Leisure for a Better World

The WLO’s Diversity, Access, and Inclusion Special interest Group (DAI SIG) was established to share information and best practices related to diversity, access, and inclusion in leisure. Inclusive leisure requires removal of attitudinal, administrative, architectural, and systemic barriers. The DAI SIG serves as a forum to discuss ideas and provide support as members advance inclusion in leisure with diverse populations around the world. A recent survey showed our members are using their expertise in disability, poverty, indigenous populations, and gender studies to conduct collaborative research, hold leadership positions in WLO, and share knowledge at World Leisure Congress. 

Leisure can be a powerful vehicle for social change, so it is imperative all individuals have access to leisure opportunities. The 2024 World Leisure Congress theme, Leisure for a Better Society, exemplifies this.  This issue of Uncover Magazine offers a “sneak peek” at the exceptional efforts of WLO toward inclusive leisure by showcasing World Leisure Centers of Excellence (WLCE) in Brazil, Canada, and China. For example, in April the WLCE network and partners launched the first World Leisure Day. World Leisure Day aims to reinforce leisure as a social right and its importance in daily life, while reflecting on the barriers that still exist for many people around the world. The WLCE examples show the power of leisure for creating a better world.

Inclusive Leisure in Hungary
Dr. Márta Wilhelm, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs (Hungary)

At the Faculty of Sciences University of Pécs (Hungary) in a multidisciplinary, multilingual diverse environment, the Institute of Sport Sciences and Physical Education is strongly motivated in teaching and creating leisure activities for all. It is crucial in Hungary, since the expected lifetime at birth is lagging behind the European average. According to statistical data the most important factor determining short lifespans is physical inactivity, the lack of leisure in the young and adult population. Health surveys, clinical data prove the need for good practices, involving the general public in all age groups and in many environmental possibilities. 

The city of Pécs is not too big to find active, motivated, cooperating organizations and individuals for different projects. The special natural wonders of the neighborhood (National Parks, Ecoparks, Theme parks, hilly landscape, agricultural environment like wine yards, gardens, hot springs with proven health benefits, the environment of a Cultural Capital, dance, music, fine arts, Hungarian Cousine) give rich background to organize very interactive, joyful teaching and research programs at each level of higher education. 

Since UP is very successful even in the “Reach out Programs” (Researcher’s Night), several inspirational summer projects were organized for local citizens also. In these inclusive programs students work in teams with professionals to entertain and teaching different lifestyle habits also, involving people even from the disabled population. The Dancing University of UP is a unique initiative in Hungarian higher education. It was founded in 2000 and its main aim is to create extraordinary leisure-time activities of high quality. It is exercise and entertainment at the same time. 

Courses are accessible for students as sport classes for credits and it also serving as a contact point for students and employees of different (...)

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Last picture on the right from sohu.com.