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High Level Program Taking Shape for UNWTO-IIPT Global Summit, Montreal Official Conference of the UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development
A high level program is taking shape for the UNWTO-IIPT Global Summit in Montreal, 17-21 September; and official conference of the UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, 18-19 September, beginning with the Welcome Reception Sunday evening
Reflecting on the lessons to be learned friom World Wars I & II, the benefits of peace and the potential of travelers to be Ambassador of Peace.
Sustainable Tourism for Development and Peace in Africa By 2050, Africa will be the most populous continent challenged with a legacy of colonialism and the need to empower and create entrepreneurial opportunities and employment for its youth. The role of sustainable tourism development in meeting these challenges.
Fostering Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue
Peace with Nature: Safeguarding our Common Home – Planet Earth Keynote Speakers will include: H.E. Abulfas Garayev, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Republic of Azerbaijan; H.E. Dr. Walter Mzembi, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Zimbabwe; Queen-Mother Ketcha Courtes, President, Network of Female Mayors of Africa (REFELA); Dr. Mario Hardy, CEO and President, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA); and Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, Secretary General, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) and others.
Additional sessions and speakers will be announced in the weeks ahead.
We are proud to return to the City, Province and Nation that hosted the first major international Conference on Sustainable Tourism in 1994, the IIPT Global Conference: Building a Sustainable World through Tourism – particularly as 2017 is the 150th Birthday of Canada, 375th birthday of Montreal and as IIPT commemorates its 30th Anniversary year by returning to the place of its birth. Website is Open for Registration The UNWTO – IIPT Global Summit website is open for registration at: http://unwto.iiptsummit.org/. Save Cdn $100 with early bird registration till 15 June.
Global Summit Venue Venue and ‘Official Hotel’ for the Global Summit is the prestigious Hotel Bonaventure in downtown Montreal, just minutes away from historic “Old Montreal” where you will experience the “Spirit of 375.”
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 Global Summit to Feature Leading-edge Success Stories and Models of Best Practice The UNWTO – IIPT Global Summit will continue on Wednesday and Thursday, 20 and 21 September featuring success stories and models of best practice by leading professionals and practitioners in sustainable tourism; cultural tourism; sport for mutual understanding and peace; conflict resolution; environmental enhancement; poverty reduction; youth travel; volunteer travel; accessible travel for all; and other topics.
These will include sessions on Youth Travel, Travel for All, Volunteer Travel, Community Tourism, The Contribution of Sports, and other themes. Contributors in these sessions will include:
Sue Badyari, CEO, World Expeditions Group; Richard Miller Executive Vice President, Resonance Consultancy; Rachel Dodds, Director, Sustaining Tourism; Brianda Lopez, Head of Programs, Standards & Sustainability - Hostelling International; Nikki Rose, Founder, Crete’s Culinary Sanctuaries.
Maria de la Fuente, Co-Director of Peace Boat; Megan Epler Wood, Director, International Sustainable Tourism Initiative, Harvard University; David Adams, Founder and President, Culture of Peace News Network; Steve De Voss, Founder and President, Global Sports Partners; Diana McIntyre Pike, President, IIPT Caribbean Chapter and others
Other leading edge practitioners and professionals interested in presenting their success stories and models of best practice are invited to write: ljd@iipt.org with a copy to: kunjal.charadva@iipt.org
Educators Forum and Student/Youth Leadership Forum As with all previous IIPT International Conferences, beginning with the IIPT First Global Conference: Tourism – A Vital Force for Peace, Vancouver 1988 – the Montreal Global Summit will include a full day “Educators Forum” and full day Student/Youth Leadership Forum.
Educators wishing to present in the Educators Forum, 17 September are invited to email: ljd@iipt.org with a copy to kunjal.charadva@iipt.org
Students/Youth Leaders wishing to present in the Student/Youth Leadership Forum are invited to email nishit@iipt.org with a copy to kunjal.charadva@iipt.org
Collaboration – Global Impact Session A special session is being held for the first time inviting organizers of travel and tourism conferences throughout the world to come together to share key outcomes and initiatives resulting from their respective conferences – and to explore avenues of collaboration with a view to achieving synergies and a greater global impact in support of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Interested conference organizers are invited to email: ljd@iipt.org with a copy to kunjal.charadva@iipt.org |
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United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) To Partner with IIPT in Global Peace Parks Project
UCLG is the united voice and world advocate of democratic local self-government with a global network of cities, local and regional governments representing 70% of the world population. UCLG goals include contributing to the achievement of the SDG’s, Paris Agreement, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and New Urban Agenda for Sustainable Urban Development.
It was also agreed that a special plenary session on Africa will be organized at the UNWTO – IIPT Global Summit: Sustainable Tourism for Development and Peace being held in Montreal, Canada 17 – 21 September 2017 as Canada commemorates its 150th birthday and Montreal its 375th Birthday. The Montreal Summit is an official conference of the UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.
IIPT International Peace Parks have since been dedicated as a legacy of each IIPT International Conferences and Global Summits. Notable IIPT International Peace Parks include Bethany Beyond the Jordan, site of Christ’s baptism as a legacy of the Amman Summit, 2000 and Victoria Falls, as a legacy of the IIPT 5th African Conference, 2013, subsequently re-dedicated as the featured event of the UNWTO General Assembly, co-hosted by Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Dr. Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary General and Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s first President, are shown planting the first of 6 olive trees brought from Bethany Beyond the Jordan by Amman Mayor, H.E. Akel Biltaji pictured on the right with King Makuni of the Leya People, on whose land Victoria Falls is located, and IIPT Founder and President, Louis D'Amore.
Persons interested in more information on the “IIPT Global Peace Parks Project” are invited to email ljd@iipt.org
IIPT Travel for Peace Campaign
The “IIPT Travel for Peace Campaign relates to the UNWTO “Travel – Enjoy – Respect” initiative of the UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. It seeks to engage travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, airlines, cruise ships and other sectors of the global travel and tourism industry to join with IIPT in encouraging every traveler to be an “Ambassador for Peace” Organizations wishing to become charter members of the IIPT Travel for Peace Campaign in support of the UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development (and Peace) are invited to email: ljd@iipt.org
Grateful for the opportunity to travel and experience the world and because peace begins with the individual, I affirm my personal responsibility and commitment to:
International Institute for Peace Through Tourism |
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UNWTO – IIPT Global Summit Announced at 4th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue Baku, Azerbaijan IIPT President, Dr. Louis D’Amore was honored to speak at the recent 4th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue hosted by Azerbaijan in the beautiful city of Baku, 5 & 6 May. Dr. D’Amore spoke on a distinguished panel coordinated by Mr. Amr Abdel Ghaffar, Advisor to the Secretary General, UNWTO on Tourism and Peace, and moderated by Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General, UN World Tourism Organization.
Dr. D’Amore used the occasion to announce the UNWTO-IIPT Global Summit: Sustainable Tourism for Development and Peace being held in Montreal, Canada 17 – 21 September. The Summit is an official Conference of the UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, 18 & 19 September. He also announced the IIPT Global Peace Parks Project and the IIPT Travel for Peace Program inviting participation in both. The high level session was titled: Harnessing the Transformative Power of Tourism in Building a Better Future: A Shared Responsibility. Distinguished speakers included: Hon. Abulfas Garayev, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Azerbaijan, Host of the World Forum; Princess Dana Firas, President, Petra National Trust, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; Mr. Arundhika Fernando, Deputy Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs, Sri Lanka.
Mr. Thok Sokhom, Director of Department International Cooperation and ASEAN Ministry of Tourism; Hon. Shaikah Mai Bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and President, Arab Regional Center for World Heritage; Mr. Koen Verlaeckt, Secretary General, Flanders Department of Foreign Affairs
Each of the panelists shared their perspectives and initiatives related to the theme. |
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IIPT Ambassador for Peace Arrives in Mexico Country 22 of Footsteps to Inspire Global Journey
Claire McFarlane, IIPT’s Second Ambassador for Peace, has just arrived in Mexico. Country 22 of her global mission to run over 3000km of beach across 184 countries to promote peaceful dialogue and raise awareness for survivors of sexual violence. The movement is called Footsteps To Inspire. It is a world first, both as an expedition and social cause. Claire knows first-hand how hard it is to be a survivor of sexual violence because she is one. Through peaceful outreach and sharing her own story, Claire is fast becoming a voice of hope and inspiration to many. She is helping to create an open dialogue and imparting valuable knowledge as she moves from one country to the next. In each country, Claire links with local services and NGOs, gives talks to community groups, universities and schools, interviews with media, and invites others to join her for the 16 kilometer (10 mile) run. “I've chosen to use a very different medium to talk about sexual violence, that is adventure travel and sport,” Claire said. “Sport unites us and often brings people together to make a stand for something they believe in. It is also empowering and important for the healing process.” Claire rarely runs alone and has noticed a common trend across the countries visited thus far: People want to talk about sexual violence, they just don’t know how to. Through Footsteps To Inspire, Claire is creating that safe space for conversation and understanding. The past month has seen Claire move through Central America. Each country has been different and her Spanish skills have dramatically improved. Voces Vitales, an NGO supporting women in economic empowerment and human rights, provided Claire with some strategic support and even helped her reach diverse communities.
“Through travel I am reaching diverse communities all over the world and showing others that it is possible to connect peacefully and find ways to face adversity.” The month of June will see Claire run in Mexico, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Claire is deeply committed to being a positive female role model and hopes that through her spirit, actions and words, she can encourage others that it is possible to travel meaningfully and in peace. Claire’s goal of ‘Promoting Peace through Tourism’ will continue after her trip. In addition to a global report on sexual violence, Claire hopes to establish a donor fund to help organizations in the countries she visits; to create a centralized platform for NGOs to collaborate and strengthen referral pathways; to write a series of books to help others overcome trauma; to produce a documentary based on the incredible journey of Footsteps To Inspire; and continue public speaking around the world to inspire, educate and empower. Follow Claire’s journey on Facebook: www.facebook.com/footstepstoinspire or the Footsteps To Inspire website: www.footstepstoinspire.org Persons, organizations and corporations wishing to sponsor/support Claire’s Footsteps to Inspire Global Journey are invited to email: footstepstoinspire@gmail.com |
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HRH Princess Dana Firas Patron of
Persons participating in the upcoming IIPT Peace Tour will have a chance to interact with Syrian refugee children, providing games, handicrafts and other gifts at the school. The dates of the tour have been set for November 9-18, to coincide with the close of World Travel Market so that persons attending WTM might fly directly from London to Amman.
AAI will be represented by Sandy Dhuyvetter, a member of the AAI Board of Directors who will manage AAI’s commitment to IIPT. Sandy is also a trainer on Human Trafficking Awareness in the travel industry and an award winning creator, executive producer and host of TravelTalk Radio and Travel Talk Media.
 
Partnering with IIPT in organizing the tour is Near Eastern Tours, an IIPTCoalition Partner. Near Eastern Tours will provide in-country services for the tour.
Also collaborating with IIPT will be Angels of Hope who will provide “Tee” Shirts and other gifts for school children. www.theangelworkshop.com
Jordan is one of the world’s spectacular destinations and home to some of the world’s friendliest and most hospitable people. The itinerary will provide the opportunity to see this fascinating land, meet its people and experience its welcoming spirit. The tour itinerary will include Jerash, Petra, Wadi Rum, Mt. Nebo, Azraq Wetlands, Shumari Reserve, the Dead Sea and other sites.
Participants in this special tour will have the opportunity to assist some of the Syrian refugees who have fled the war in their homeland. We will visit refugee families and provide food parcels, hygiene packets and medical supplies to some of the neediest families. Participation in this tour will make a difference in the lives of a few Syrian families and participants will gain an appreciation for one of the most interesting countries in the world.
Interested persons and Travel agents are invited to request more information. Please send an email request to: travelking47@gmail.com |
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IIPT Endorses UWI - Countrystyle Open Campus MOU
IIPT is most pleased to endorse The University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus and the Countrystyle Community Tourism Network (CCTN) Agreement signed in a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) this past month at the Open Learning Centre at the UWI the Mona Campus. .
The agreement was signed by Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The UWI Open Campus, Dr Luz Longsworth, and President of Countrystyle Community Tourism Network, Mrs. Diana McIntyre-Pike who is also President of the IIPT Caribbean. The Agreement is immediatel effective for an initial period of two years.
The agreed upon partnership aims to provide organizational capacity building and individual training of its clientele in support of advancing “community development” through tourism. Through this agreement, both parties will commit to the facilitation of programs aimed at realizing the full potential of persons in the community tourism industry, and the desirability of advancing community tourism as both a recognized academic discipline, and an effective tool for holistic, equitable and sustainable community development.
In remarks before the signing, Dr Longsworth indicated the agreement intends to create a pipeline to progress the training and wealth creation of community members throughout disparate communities in Jamaica initially and, subsequently, across the Caribbean region “as you build a nation one community at a time.
“Through this collaboration, we intend to support community tourism in innovative ways though 2 of 4 museums, innovation centres, and technology training, to add value to the tourism product within the University’s newest strategic plan to build our economies and communities”, she stated.
Mrs McIntyre-Pike highlighted the key role of community tourism in the sustainable development of a country in a holistic way, with the expansion of the CCTN’s ‘Villages as Businesses’ concept through this agreement. “We are going to work together and make this collaboration work around Jamaica and the wider Caribbean through education and training for a diverse tourism experience.” The Open Campus and the CCTN shortly will begin the implementation of this agreement with the offer of several short training courses for community tourism entrepreneurs offered through symposia, workshops across the 11 UWI Open Campus Jamaica site locations.
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The Summit will feature Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General, UN World Tourism Organization and other leaders of the industry as keynote speakers. The “Provisional Program” for 18 & 19 September includes sessions on:
IIPT Founder and President Louis D’Amore had a fortuitous meeting with Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi during the recent 4th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue in Baku, Azerbaijan. Mr. Elong Mbassi is Secretary General, UCLG Africa. 
Mr. Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi, enthusiastically agreed that UCLG will partner with IIPT in the IIPT Global Peace Parks Project which has a goal of 2,000 cities and towns dedicating or re-dedicating a park to peace on 21 September 2017, the UN International Day of Peace. 
The Global Peace Parks Project builds on the success of IIPT’s 1992 “Peace Parks across Canada” Project commemorating Canada’s 125th birthday as a nation. IIPT conceived and implemented “Peace Parks across Canada” which resulted in 350 Peace Parks being dedicated by cities and towns from St. John’s, Newfoundland on the shores of the Atlantic, across five time zones to Victoria, British Colombia on the shores of the Pacific.
The Peace Parks were all dedicated on October 8, 1992 as a National Peace Keeping Monument was being unveiled in Ottawa and 5,000 Peacekeepers passing in review. Each park was dedicated with a ‘bosco sacro’ – a peace grove of 12 trees, symbolic of Canada’s 10 Provinces and 2 Territories, as a link to one another, and a symbol of hope for the future. Of the more than 25,000 Canada 125 Projects, Peace Parks across Canada was said to be the most significant.
Collaborating with IIPT will be Airline Ambassadors International (AAI). AAI helps orphans and vulnerable children worldwide by leveraging connections with the airline industry towards humanitarian service. AAI will also be providing marketing support among its members. AAI’s Founder and President, Nancy Rivard, was the second recipient of the IIPT Ambassador for Peace Award at IIPT’s 1999 Global Conference in Glasgow. 
