Coen van Bendegom new board member of the World Leisure Organization
Since 1 January 2025, Coen van Bendegom, PhD student at ETOUR, has been elected as a board member of the World Leisure Organization – a mandate that extends over a three-year period. We have asked him a few questions about his new role.
Coen, how does it feel to have been given the assignment as a board member?
I am very proud to be part of this international organization that advocates for leisure as a human right and promotes leisure experiences that enhance people's quality of life. I first learned about the World Leisure Organization (WLO) during my bachelor's degree in Sport Management. A few years later, I pursued a master's in Leisure Studies at Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas) in the Netherlands, a WLO Center of Excellence. This recognition is awarded to selected universities worldwide for their outstanding programs and contributions to leisure studies. After working at BUas, I had the opportunity to join Vancouver Island University in Canada – another WLO Center of Excellence – as a lecturer. So, the WLO network has been a red thread through my studies and career and has given me opportunities that might otherwise not have been possible.
I have engaged with WLO in multiple ways, from using their supporting materials in classes to participating in conferences. More importantly, their values have shaped my approach to working, teaching and researching in leisure contexts. These principles are outlined in the WLO Charter for Leisure, which I highly recommend to anyone involved in the field.
What does your assignment entail?
WLO supports organizations worldwide spreading knowledge through conferences, educational programs, debates, a book series, the World Leisure Journal, the World Leisure Day, and more. WLO also supports, and is recognized by organizations such as the United Nations, UNESCO, and UNWTO.
My role as board member is to contribute to managing and supporting the network in various ways. There is one general board meeting taking place in person where the board votes on the strategy and collaborations that are pursued by the organization. Additionally, I'm taking part in a special committee on Research and Knowledge Transfer and one on the World Leisure Day. These committees meet three to four times per year and discuss ongoing issues and write reports. I'm also looking forward to following up and assessing potential WLO Center of Excellence applications.
What opportunities can this create for Mid Sweden University and ETOUR, and vice versa?
My role in the board of directors creates access to an international organization for Mid Sweden University and ETOUR. These international networks foster collaborations between universities, individual researchers and students, as well as NGOs and for-profit leisure organisations. Much of the research that is being conducted at ETOUR connects to key interests of WLO. Themes such as leisure and well-being, leisure and sports, leisure and ageing, events, and travel and tourism are important pillars of ETOUR research.
In the future, Mid Sweden University could consider applying for a WLO Center of Excellence recognition. Though this is not necessary for being part of the network. The network creates opportunities for lecturers, researchers and/or student visits, exchanges or collaborations, and contributes to the internationalization policies of the university.
About the World Leisure Organization
The World Leisure Organization (WLO) is a non-profit, non-governmental advocacy and knowledge-driven organization comprised of individuals and organizations around the world. The organization promotes leisure as integral to social, cultural, economic, and sustainable environmental development and are recognized by international governing bodies, such as the United Nations Economic and Social Council, for their expertise in the field of leisure.