This is a special issue on the topic of eco-leisure. It is edited by Lawal Marafa who has contributed immensely to this significant area of research. We are grateful to Lawal for diligently undertaking the role of a guest editor and successfully putting together an interesting collection of papers. We would leave it to Lawal to introduce the issue and take readers through its contents.
As part of the Journal’s 60th birthday celebration, we are honored to have a special contribution by Karla Henderson, an internationally renowned scholar who has made a significant contribution to leisure studies through publications, keynote addresses, undertaking of leading journal editorial roles and serving as member of World Leisure Organisation Board of Directors and International Editorial Advisory Board of World Leisure Journal, to name but a few. In her paper, Karla draws on her extensive experience of more than four decades in the field and shares several principles manifesting her pledge: “I will always be deeply committed to the field of leisure studies” (p. 188). This paper is for anyone who wishes to contribute to this significant area which according to Karla: “has the potential to facilitate peace and justice in countries as well as the world” (p. 195). Thank you Karla for such an inspiration!
In the News and Notices section we have a piece from the World Leisure secretariat sharing with us the good news about 2019 WL Games that will be held in the city of Laixi, Qingdao, China. Teresa Freire, facilitator of the WLO Special Interest Group “Leisure and Well-being” also shared with us a piece calling for participation in an international joint project on leisure and middle adolescents.
The issue concludes with a call for papers for a special issue on Leisure and Innovation. This special issue will be guest-edited by Lénia Marques from Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands and M.Sofia P.Biscaia from University of Aveiro, Portugal. Both Lénia and Sofia are active researchers who have contibuted to the study of leisure from interdisciplinary perspective as well as through undertaking leadership and active roles in WLO Special Interest Group on Leisure and Innovation. This special issue provides an opportunity for sharing theoretical and practical issues pertaining to innovative approaches and practices in leisure around the world. We invite readers to circulate this call among their colleagues and postgraduate and post-doctoral students.