May 2014

 

IIPT Ambassador banner

IIPT Announces Abraham Shepherd as

“Ambassador at Large”

 

Abraham ShepherdIIPT is proud to announce the naming of Abraham Shepherd as an “IIPT Ambassador at Large”. Abraham is the Founder and Executive Director of Canadian Global Response (CGR), a Canadian registered charity for disaster relief, community development, and alleviation of poverty. Canadian Global Response envisions the global community demonstrating love in action in times of crisis.  


“We are a largely volunteer-based organization,” Abraham says. “That allows us to maximize our resources for the world’s poorest people. CGR uses a holistic approach to relief and development programs in our efforts to help alleviate poverty. Our intent is to enable individuals and communities to achieve a sustainable—and dignified solution to their needs.”

 “And we believe in the strength of partnerships,” he added. Canadian Global Response “In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, CGR partnered with another relief organization to help provide nearly 12,000 meals for victims in New York.  Likewise we are continuing to partner with other organizations in long-term efforts to help re-build basic housing for the recent victims of the typhoon in the Philippines.  And now we are developing initiatives to assist the refugees from Syria who have fled the war in their homeland.”

“I am pleased to be named ‘Ambassador at Large’ for the International Institute for Peace through Tourism,” Abraham said. “I have great respect for the organization and we at Canadian Global Response share many of the same goals as we seek to address some of the greatest human needs in our world.  I look forward to working with Lou D’Amore and all others involved with IIPT.  I believe this will be a valuable partnership.”

IIPT Founder and President, Louis D’Amore said “We are proud to announce Abraham Shepherd as an IIPT Ambassador at Large. The work of the Canadian Global Response is most noteworthy and will strengthen IIPT’s initiatives as we continue working  towards a “Culture of Peace” in this our 25th Anniversary Year.”

CGR initiatives include: educational aid and school supplies for children; entrepreneurial start up opportunities by providing a cow, chickens, fish stall, and sewing machines to single parents; shelter and food aid for disaster relief; and sources of clean water.

 

More information about Canadian Global Response can be found on their 
web site 
www.canadianglobalresponse.ca

Sudan Tourism Fair

 

IIPT Supports Sudan Tourism Promotion Project
 

The Sudan Tourism Promotion Project (STPP) is an ambitious and pioneering national project that aims to develop the tourism sector in Sudan and to foster the economic, social and cultural empowerment of the Sudanese people.  

 

The Project has been developed by Net 249 Advertising Co. by utilizing digital technology for an eye-catching promotional mix for the global marketing of Sudan tourism as well as raising awareness among Sudanese citizens regarding the economic, social and cultural benefits of tourism. A memorandum of understanding has been signed with the Ministry of Tourism, Antiquities and Wildlife of Sudan that recognizes the huge untapped potentials of tourism attractions in Sudan that offer possibilities for a key role in the global tourism industry and prospects for tourism to become an important pillar of Sudan’s economy.

 

MOU Sudan Tourism

 

Since its start up two years ago, more than sixty specialists have been working on this project from various disciplines including tourism, information technology, design, marketing, translation, history, archeology and art production. Elements of the project include web design and marketing, three dimensional displays of archaeological sites, billboards, brochures and advertising publications, promotion of authentic art and handicrafts from various tribes of Sudan, and an animated series.

 

Each of more than 50 archeological sites and tourism assets will have its own website. The intent is to have  institutions and companies to sponsor the archaeological sites and tourist attraction areas, each one to be fully sponsored by a company or institution. In return, the sponsor will be provided excellent advertising opportunities with its logo on all components of the project.

 

IIPT at Sudan Tourism Fair

 

STPP successfully exhibited at the Sudan International Tourism Fair, Khartoum in both 2013 and 2014 as well as the World Tourism Fair, Madrid, January 2014. In each of the fairs, STPP impressed all visitors, individuals and organizations with its vision and emphasis on issues such as peace and peaceful coexistence through peace tours and poverty alleviation efforts.

More information is available at: http://www.sudantourism.net/

 

 Sudan Tourism FairSudan Tourism Fair

 

ThisAbility LogoIIPT Supports
THISability for Peace

 

 

 

Negin Hosseini GoodrichIran has mostly been absent in the global literature of disability. To fill this gap Negin Hosseini-Goodrich, Journalist, Writer, PhD student at Purdue University and Disability Activist has created a Facebook page THISability for Peace: https://www.facebook.com/thisabilityforpeace

 

Negin’s goal is to connect persons with disabilities in different countries and promote peace and friendship among different cultures and countries through her THISability concept emphasizing the abilities rather than disabilities of all persons and  in doing so, “to become a better person for ourselves and for each other, to make the world a better place to live and to love.”

 

Negin believes, “Concentrating on our common features is vital for achieving global peace. Only our commonalities are able to shorten our distances, eliminate our misunderstandings, bring our hearts closer, and finally dismantle our feuds and wars. Her hope is that THISability will enhance mutual understanding and peaceful relations between the citizens of our global village. “All we need to do is become familiar with our individual and social commonalities and differences. Knowledge creates better understanding and a huge potential is laid within our thoughts, hearts and souls to be united globally.”

 

Negin is an Iranian-American who worked as a journalist for the oldest and biggest newspaper in her country, Iran, for more than 15 years before coming to the United States in 2010. She has no disability, neither does any of her immediate family; however, disability has been her concern ever since her youth. Both her academic and professional life has been committed to disability-related issue and she also worked many years for and with disability organizations in Tehran as a volunteer, as well as with Iran National Paralympic Committee.

 

As a journalist and writer, Negin attended three Paralympic games: Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, and London 2012, resulting in the publication of 2 books in Farsi on Paralympics: “Disability and Media” – the  topic of her PhD dissertation in Iran – and “An Introduction to Disability Studies; a Sociological Approach” to be published soon as the first academic Persian book in the field of “disability studies”.

 

Thisability Artist

 

On her Facebook page you will meet Zahra Rastegar Panah, an Iranian artist who started painting in 1995 as the result of a disability; Mohsen Hosseini-Taha, an Iranian writer, poet and journalist with disability who recently published his second book: “The Verses of Rapture” in Farsi (Persian language); and the men and women national Sit Volleyball teams who recently competed in the Volleyball-Sitting World Championship and Asian Para Games held in Mashhad, Iran (April 2014).

 

Thisability Volleyball team

 

Iran Tour

 

A Persian Journey:

Special IIPT Tour to Iran

 Mosque_Iran

Donald King, IIPT Ambassador at Large, and his wife Lynne will be escorting a special “Persian Journey”, a tour of Iran October 14-23.  The tour will be offered as a “World Peace Tour” under the auspices of the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT). An optional extension to Istanbul October 23-25 is also available. 

IsfahanThe key cities on the itinerary are Shiraz, Isfahan, Kashan and Tehran. The itinerary will afford a special emphasis to the spiritual sites of Iran, as we examine sites related to Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

 

Donald_Lynne - IIPTThe Kings have conducted several tours to Iran in recent years.  “Our tour will be a people-to-people initiative. Iran itself is one of the most fascinating destinations in the world; it is a place that is rich in history and culture.  And, invariably, we have found the people of Iran to be gracious and hospitable to Western visitors,” Donald said.

 

IIPT Founder and President, Louis D’Amore added: “I am grateful for having experienced the warm hospitality, friendliness and welcoming spirit of the Iranian people – and their immensely rich cultural heritage.  The timing of the tour this October could not be better as we have a historic opportunity to help build bridges of understanding across our respective cultures.” More information is available at this site: http://www.crossbridgetours.com/tours/iran/a-persian-journey/ Or call Donald at 855.344.4343

 Iran

 

ITB Berlin Banner

25 yearsIIPT Commemorates 25th
Anniversary at ITB
In Support of World War I Centenary – “No More War”

The International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) proudly commemorated the 25th anniversary of its First Global Conference: Tourism – A Vital Force for Peace at this year’s ITB. The IIPT 25th anniversary event was in support of the “World War I Centenary” with its theme of “No More War”.                           

Featured speakers included: Zoltan Somogyi, Executive Director, Programme & Coordination, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO); Thomas Steinmetz, Chairman, International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP), and Publisher, eTurbo News;  Elke Dens, Marketing Director, Visit Flanders; Ivy Chee, Regional Director, East Asia, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA); Nigel Pilkington, Director, Public Relations & Communications, Skal International; Cordula Wohlmuther, UNWTO and Peace Centre at the University in Klagenfurt, Austria; and Mr. Sushil Ghimire, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Tourism & Civil Aviation, Nepal and Chairman, Nepal Tourism Board. The event was moderated by Sandy Dhuyvetter, Executive Producer and Host, TravelTalkRADIO, BusinessTravelRADIO and TravelTalkTELEVISION.

Speakers shared their perspectives on “Building a Culture of Peace through Tourism.”

 

Geoffrey Lipman
Zolton Somogyi
Geoffrey Lipman
Thomas Steinmetz
Ivy Chee
Elke Dens
Ivy Chee
Ivy Chee
Nigel
Nigel Pilkington
Nigel
Sushil Ghimire

CordulaCordula Wohlmuther

Sandy
Sandy Dhuyvetter

 

IIPT 25th Anniversary Legacy Projects

IIPT will continue its efforts in making travel and tourism the  world’s first Global Peace Industry during its 25th Anniversary Year with a series of “Legacy Projects” . 

IIPT Consortium of Collaborating Universities (IIPT-CCU)
The first of these legacy projects is a Consortium of Collaborating Universities with more than 20 universities participating from regions throughout the world. The aim of the Consortium is to encourage scholarly research by university students on “Peace through Tourism.” Students will  research actual case studies relative to “Building a Culture of Peace through Tourism.” Selected case studies will be published by Livingstone International University – and the student submitting the most outstanding case study will receive an IIPT US$ 1,500 scholarship award. We welcome other interested universities to join with us in this initiative. 

Peace Tours Morocco and Iran
IIPT’s Second Legacy Project is the launch of a series of “Peace Tours” to enhance cultural appreciation and understanding among different cultures of the world. The first two that have been been  launched are Peace Tours Morocco and Peace Tours Iran. We are most pleased that Skal International has agreed to partner with IIPT in our Peace Tours initiative – and welcome travel agents and tour operators to join with us in promoting these tours. Commissions are available on the sale of both tours.

IIPT/Skal Peace Towns and Villages
Our 25 th Anniversary year  “flag ship” project is the IIPT/Skal Peace Towns and Villages project with a goal of 500 Peace Towns and Villages to be dedicated by September 21, 2014, the UN International Day of Peace.  The IIPT/Skal Peace Towns and Villages initiative was launched this past August with the re-dedication of the IIPT International Peace Park at Victoria Falls that took place on Opening Day of the World Tourism Organization 20th General Assembly co-hosted by Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Kenneth Kaunda and Taleb RifaiDr. Kenneth Kaunda, first President of Zambia, and Dr. Taleb Rifai participated in the re-dedication ceremony together with King Mukuni of the Leya People on whose land Victoria Falls is located – and other dignitaries. Here Dr. Kenneth Kaunda and Dr. Taleb Rifai are shown planting one of six olive trees brought from Bethany Beyond the Jordan, site of Christ’s baptism by His Excellency Akel Biltaji, representing His Majesty King Abdullah II.

We are most proud to have Skal International as a Partner in this initiative with its more than 17,000 members in 408 cities thoughout 89 countries. Each Peace Town and Village agrees to be actively committed to promoting values of tolerance, non-violence, gender equality, human rights, youth empowerment, environmental integrity, and sustainable human, social and economic development. Our further goal is 2,000 IIPT/Skal Peace Towns and Villages by the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month 2018 in support of the “Great War” Centenary theme “No More War.”

Executive Ambassador Program
Our fourth legacy project is an Executive Ambassador Program. Again, in collaboration with Skal International, we will seek to work with 3 or 4 developing countries that have a particular “expertise gap” they wish to fill such as “Destination Marketing.”  The client country will define the skill requirements, duration, and terms of reference for the project and these will be matched with a retired Skal executive who will work pro bono for the period of time designated by the host country. The intent is that this will be a pilot project that will be continued in future years.  We will be pleased to receive expressions of interest from developing countries.

Skal Red Sea Chapter Conference
IIPT will also be supporting the Skal Red Sea Chapter in organizing a Skal Red Sea Conference. The Skal Red Sea Chapter brings together members from Jordan, Israel and Egypt with the aim of collaborating on sustainable tourism development and marketing of the Red Sea region as one destination. IIPT is pleased to partner with Skal International in supporting this important effort  that will serve to further foster collaborative relationships among the private sectors of Jordan, Israel, and Egypt.

IIPT Climate Change bookClimate Change Publication
IIPT is also  proud to announce the recent publication “Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change to Tourism – Case studies of Best Practice, co-edited by IIPT Founder and President, Louis D’Amore and Dr. Patrick Kalifungwa, Vice-Chancellor, Livingstone International University. The book was based on the Fifth IIPT African Conference hosted by Zambia Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources. 

Olympic TruceOlympic Truce Campaign
Finally,  IIPT will again have a campaign supporting the Olympic Truce for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as it did for the London Olympics in 2012.

The tradition of the Olympic Truce dates back to the 9th century BC, in Ancient Greece. Since its revival in 1992, the Olympic Truce has a demonstrated history of helping to further dialogue and understanding — providing a valuable window of opportunity to work towards the peaceful resolution of conflict. The Olympic Truce once again calls upon humanity to lay down its weapons and to work towards building the foundations of peace, mutual respect, understanding and reconciliation. 

IIPT welcomes expressions of interest in any of the above programs as well as in our future conferences and summits. Please contact IIPT Founder and President Louis D’Amore, Email:ljd@iipt.org.

One World One Family

About IIPT

The International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) is a not for profit organization dedicated to fostering travel and tourism initiatives that contribute to international understanding and cooperation, an improved quality of environment, the preservation of heritage, and poverty reduction; and through these initiatives, helping to bring about a peaceful and sustainable world.  It is founded on a vision of the world’s largest industry, travel and tourism – becoming the world’s first global peace industry; and the belief that every traveler is potentially an “Ambassador for Peace.”

For more information:
IIPT Website: www.iipt.org
Tel: (802) 253-8671
Fax: (802) 253-2645
Email: ljd@iipt.org

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