World Leisure Congress is coming to Breda

‘The biennial World Leisure Congress is the most important meeting place for the international community of academia and professionals in the field of leisure,’ says Marcel Bastiaansen. He is a professor at BUas and Tilburg University, and a member of the Board of Directors of the World Leisure Organization (WLO). The WLO is the initiator of the congress that takes place in a different part of the world every two years. The congress focuses on how leisure (culture, sports, tourism, performing arts, festivals, etc.) can contribute to a better society from social, psychological, economic, and sustainability perspectives.

Exploring the Grote Kerk, the campus and the city
The congress will start at the Grote Kerk in Breda on Monday 25 August, and the other days will be held on the BUas campus. On Tuesday and Thursday, academics will present the latest research findings and innovations in the leisure industry – valuable insights for both academics and industry professionals.

Industry Day
On Wednesday 27 August, an Industry Day will be held for the first time. This day will be organised by CELTH (Centre of Expertise in Leisure, Tourism & Hospitality). ‘The idea behind the Industry Day is twofold,’ Bastiaansen explains. ‘The academic world needs input from practice. What’s going on in the industry? At the same time, the industry may benefit from scientific insights, for example, in the field of experience design or behavioural guidance.’ In his opinion, BUas is the ideal place for these collateral benefits. ‘We combine academic and practice-based research with university and (higher) professional education. This pre-eminently makes BUas the platform to bring these worlds together.’ 

Field school
A group of national and international students will also get to work on the theme ‘Leisure for a Better Society’ during the congress. Under the guidance of lecturers, they will primarily focus on issues around accessibility and inclusion in the leisure industry.

Unique congress
The World Leisure Congress offers the city of Breda, BUas and the Netherlands a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience about leisure with researchers and professionals. ‘We expect around five hundred participants on the busiest day,’ says Bastiaansen. ‘It’ll be a multifaceted conference with many different perspectives on leisure. I look forward to welcoming all these people to our campus. For one week, BUas will be the centre of the world in respect of leisure studies.’

Would you like to attend the congress? You are more than welcome! You can find all the information at www.worldleisurenl.com.