×
City of Nanaimo is planning a “Take a Walk in a Park” theme and “Try Something New” leisure activties. This will include organized opportunities that individuals, groups, families can experience at free or low cost exposure to leisure activities.

×

“You need to move!”

A whole day family programme organized the 22nd of April for everyone, using each possible room and equipment on University of Pécs campus

×

Sesc is a member of the World Leisure Organization and works daily throughout Brazil to encourage and promote leisure for people of all ages. For World Leisure Day, the institution will hold over 300 actions in all regions of the country focused on experimentation and knowledge exchange.

×

The Western Sydney Univeristy, in Sydney, Australia is planning an activation in the middle of Parramatta Square, which is a busy area in the Western Sydney area, with games, music and art activities. Stay tuned for more info!

April 16, 2024

A day to embrace the limitless possibilities that digital leisure offers!

World Leisure Day in 2024

Embracing Digital Horizons in Leisure!

Step into the world where imagination meets innovation! Join this global celebration on April 16, 2024, as the World Leisure Organization marks the fourth edition of World Leisure Day (WL Day). This worldwide initiative embarks on a new journey, delving deep into the theme of “Embracing Digital Horizons in Leisure”.

Unleash your creativity and join us!

Whether organizing a virtual art and craft meetup, an online gaming or virtual trivia gathering, a virtual museum tour, a nature digital photography competition, an online dance party, or a virtual reality fitness class, the canvas is yours to paint! Let your imagination run wild as we collectively celebrate leisure in all its forms.

WL Day 2024, a day dedicated to exploring, learning, and embracing the limitless possibilities that digital leisure offers.

Here it comes!

World Leisure Day

The World Leisure Day (WL Day) is a global initiative from the World Leisure Organization (WLO) which aims to reinforce leisure as a social right and its importance in daily life, as well as to expand and promote leisure globally while recognizing that barriers still exist for many worldwide.

Why Leisure?

Leisure plays an important part in human development, personal growth, and the promotion of health and well-being for individuals in different socio-cultural contexts.

How it started?

The first WL Day on April 16, 2021 with the theme Leisure For Better Life was coordinated by WLCE USP (World Leisure Center of Excellence at University of São Paulo), LAGEL (Laboratory of Management of Leisure experiences), and Sesc (Social Service of Commerce) in Brazil.

The second edition of the WL Day took place on April 16 2022 with the theme Leisure Matters and was organized by Vancouver Island University (VIU) in Nanaimo, BC, in collaboration with l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR). Both universities are part of the World Leisure Centres of Excellence Network (WLCEs), which also includes universities in Brazil, China, The Netherlands, and New Zealand.

The third edition of the WL Day was celebrated on April 16 2023 and was devoted to the theme Leisure for Social Transformation. On this occasion, it was organized by WLCE Vancouver Island University (VIU) from Canada, in collaboration with WLCE University of São Paulo (USP) and Sesc (Social Service of Commerce), both from Brazil.

Participants were encouraged to create different initiatives that value their local culture through activities that enable the exchange of experiences and reflections about the socioeconomic, cultural, and physical barriers for leisure in current and future contexts. There were hundreds of leisure-themed activities held worldwide, among them were classes, debates, book launches, workshops, congresses, seminars, etc.

WL Day 2024: Embracing Digital Horizons in Leisure

In this era driven by revolutionary technologies, WL Day 2024 invites the world to explore the transformative potential of leisure in the digital age. On this date, communities across the globe will explore the intersection of leisure and emerging technologies, such as the metaverse, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality, and the dynamic landscape of virtual leisure practices.

Fostering Well-Being in the Digital Age

But beyond mere exploration, WL Day 2024 will seek to unravel the profound impact of these technological frontiers on the fundamental aspects of our lives. From well-being and quality of life to community engagement and social relationships, the WL Day 2024 aims to dissect the implications through a multitude of events and activities, which will unfold globally, adopting varied formats that reflect the richness of leisure experiences.

Through this WL Day edition, from World Leisure Organization (WLO), we acknowledge the rapid evolution of leisure experiences and the need to incorporate emerging technologies in ways that enrich human life. We also pursuit to illustrate how digital advancements can complement traditional leisure activities, thereby enhancing community engagement, fostering social relationships, and improving well-being.

Navigating Challenges in Digital Leisure

WLO, in organizing the WL Day 2024, firmly upholds its mission to promote leisure as an essential element of human life, integral to personal and community well-being. This initiative, grounded in the WLO’s mission and vision, is a call to action to acknowledge and harness the power of digital leisure in a way that enriches cultural exchange, social integration, and global connectedness.

As the WLO embraces the digital connections in leisure, it also recognizes the importance of addressing the potential challenges that come with these advancements. Our organization is acutely aware of the delicate balance between leveraging digital opportunities for leisure and ensuring mental health and well-being are safeguarded, preventing the side effects of digital immersion. We are dedicated to fostering any leisure experience, therefore digital experiences too, that promote inclusivity, community engagement, and active participation. WL Day 2024 will be about advocating for a future where digital leisure contributes positively to the quality of life without compromising the essence of human connectivity.