ICPTR

The relationships between tourism and peace can be studied from several perspectives. The contributions of tourism to peace can also be studied from several perspectives. We are very pleased to inform you that the book “Tourism, Progress and Peace” to be published by CABI International end 2009-beg 210, is shaping up successfully. It’s purpose is to advance our knowledge about the topic. The call for proposals has resulted in over 50 abstracts. Of these 16 chapters have been selected. The book is of relevance to: researchers and academics in that it offers ideas for future research related to tourism and peace; practitioners in that it’s empirical nature brings pragmatic relevance and support for projects, programs and other initiatives related to promoting a culture of peace through tourism by NGOs or government organisations; leisure, hospitality and tourism students and teachers in that it can be used in the classroom. For more information about the book, contact us by e-mail at: omar.moufakkir@stenden.com , skype at: omar.moufakkir, or by phone: (00)(31)58 2441301.

 There is no such thing as peace through tourism per se. Undoubtedly, tourism can be a vehicle for peace, but education for peace starts at home. Our peacelessness is the result of inequality in the world. This inequality is a result of ignorance, greed and failed policies. Thinking about peacelessness is what takes us further away from the animal kingdon. Accepting this peacelessness is what brings us closer to animals. Surely, there is the animal in the human, but which of these is closer to humanity remains to be  explained.

Sometimes, it is difficult to talk about the relationship between tourism and peace. This is mainly due to the limited definition of peace as the absence of arms. If the definition of peace includes conflict, it become easier to realise the connection between tourism and peace. To understand this connection, it is insightful to go back to 1948 and the Declaration of Human Rights. Then, it is possible to see where humanity has made progress and where it has failed. Tourism does not make miracles, tourism can be used as a tool to enhance and promote human rights -political, social, environmantal and cultural- in so many ways.

Click to view our presenation “Tourism and Peace: Myths, Realities and Progress” at the World Heritage Conference in Austria, June 3-5, 2009. austria_conference

I am very pleased to announce the development of an important network, the European Network of Places of Peace. The first meeting of the Network took place on May 23-25, 2009, in Portugal in the historical town of Estremoz,  supported by the Minicipality of Estremoz. This meeting has a great significance for the municipality, and was organised to coincide with the commemoration of the anniversary of the historical peace treaty signed in this Municipality in 1763. The purpose of this Network is to celebrate peace by commemorating peace treatises, and those who participated in making them happen. The Network will connect participating places through cultural and heritage tourism initiatives, projects and opportunities.

If you are around you may want to visit the International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament conference. Pioneering women peace makers and musicians are participating in the Voices of Peace from the Balkans and the Caucasus to sing and support world peace. This interesting event is taking place on May 24, 2009 in Utrech, the Netherlands.

For more click: women-for-peace

It is true that certain forms of tourism and types of tourists make the critics of tourism and peace even more pessimistic about the positive relationship between tourism and peace. However, it is, nevertheless, worth noting that peace through tourism debate has become commonplace in the tourism discourse. And yes, not only in political arenas but also in academia. Internationally, tourism conferences and seminars are increasingly recognising the importance of the tourism and peace phenomenon. More and more conferences are including tourism and peace in their selection of themes. The International Center for Peace through Tourism Research has been invited to participate in the Annual Heritage Tourism conference organised by L&R Sozialforschung/L&R Social Research in Austria on June 3-5, 2009. You are cordially invited to participate with us in this important conference. For more information contact Mr. Behrouz Sayahpour

Adriaan Kolen

 Born in Leeuwarden, Fryslân / Netherlands, (1956) Adriaan Kolen developed an interest in intercultural exchange at a young age. As a 17 year old youth he joined the AFS intercultural exchange program, which enables people to act as responsible global citizens working for peace and understanding in a diverse world. Living in California he started a never ending quest for bridging cultural gaps. Next to an intercultural marriage, this led to many activities, privately and professionally.

For many years he presided over the local AFS chapter in his home state, thus enabling many others to engage in intercultural experiences all over the world.

Becoming an experienced traveller over the years, Adriaan constantly looks for ways to combine his passion and daily routine.

From axis of evil to access to tourism

Iran is opening up and tourism is working as a strategy to brindge cultural and political gaps between this nation and other nation states.

To watch Obama’s videotaped statement click on the link:

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2009/03/iran-welcomes-o.html 

Of Peace and Greed,

Peace has been defined not only as the absense of war but also as the absense of peacelessness. The actual financial crisis presents the world with a real sense of peacelessness in ordinary’s people’s lives and conditions. Strategies are being developed to overcome this crisis, the most important of which is to bail out the financial/banking system. As governments use public money for the bail out, still there are institutions that, amidst the crisis, award their people with extreme monetary bonuses. Then, to these one could tell: Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country. In the actual context it would be translated into: ask not what the main street can do for Wall Stree but what Wall Street can do for the main street. The Bill passed today, and still, like what Barak Obama said, there is greed in Wall Street.

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