Fostering international exploration: NRPA reaches beyond its continental shelf to exchange ideas with park and recreation agencies overseas.

Whether it's the kind of stone used in the walkways of Paris, France, or the type of playground surfacing used in Rome, Italy, NRPA has fostered a relationship with international partners to share information benefiting both sides of the ocean.

NRPA belongs to the International Federation of Park and Recreation Administration (IFPRA), which includes senior public officials in many of the world's major (and other) public park systems, and private national recreation, park and/or leisure organizations in more than 20 nations.

We have a long history of participating in the world recreation scene. NRPA and its predecessor groups laid the groundwork for the application of values and 'best practices' that arise from connections with informed citizens, and professional and technical people internationally: The National Recreation Association (NRA), a principal merging group in 1965, was instrumental in fostering the exchange of philosophy, policy and practices, most notably in the context of the social aspects of recreation. NRA designated its periodic annual conferences as international, and many delegates from around the world joined their American counterparts.

The American Institute of Park Executives (AIPE) (another principal merging group) reinforced its members' desire to learn from and share their know, ledge with their foreign counterparts through a close working relationship with the IFPRA, headquartered in Reading, England. In fact, NRPA even hosted IFPRA's 1989 triennial Congress in Greensboro, N.C., and will participate in this year's 20th Congress, set for Sept. 6-10 in Hamatsu, Japan.

Not only was the 1989 Congress special because it was held on United States soil, but it resulted in a recommendation of Ralph Bogust, New Zealand's representative to the IFPRA commission.

"We should consider a more aggressive, systematic approach to international exchange for recreation and park professionals," he urged. The commission agreed, accepting NRPA's insistence that citizen policy makers and civic leaders also be encouraged to participate.

NRPA and the New Zealand association's staff developed the format and content of what became international protocols to guide exchange. They are based on principles typical of public and private exchange programs in other areas: reciprocity, seriousness of purpose and intent of participants, and appropriate and continuous follow up. NRPA now has six such protocols, largely but not fully representative of the world regions. Our agreements include the Canadian Park and Recreation Association (CPRA), Colombia's Institute for Leisure and Recreation, National Recreation Association of Japan, Institute for Leisure and Amenity Management (Great Britain), and New Zealand and Australian national associations. Future protocols are anticipated with appropriate private groups in Brazil and Mexico.

Our international exchange protocols and other collaborations can take other forms as well. For example, NRPA assisted in developing an itinerary for a Japan-sponsored group interested in observing United States services and access for persons with disabilities. Soon thereafter, the late Gerald O'Morrow, a distinguished writer and educator in therapeutic recreation, represented NRPA in Japan, urging officials there to he attentive to the accommodation needs of that nation (and its visitors), and advocating for university-level training.

NRPA also collaborated with CPRA members during its 50th anniversary, co-sponsoring an international colloquium on emerging issues in recreation and parks. During our 2000 Congress for Recreation and Parks in Phoenix, Ariz., Canadians, Australians, Japanese, Mexicans and the World Leisure and Recreation Association contributed importantly to an international discussion on recreation services for kids in high-risk environments.

One way local park and recreation agencies can be involved in the international arena, is to participate in the International Awards for Livable Communities, once called Nations In Bloom. While overall United Stales participation by local park and recreation agencies has been disappointing in the past, the program provides unparalleled opportunity to better articulate the values of one's own agency and learning of relevant best practices of scores of local government finalists worldwide. Importantly; the 2004 Livable Communities finals in the Niagara Falls region in Canada will be open for observers, and readers can join the competition until May 31 (www.nationsinbloom.com).

My experiences in international settings have sharpened both personal values and professional perspectives, and I believe it can do the same for any participant. The 2003 Japan Congress for Recreation in Hiroshima, for example, included the conference theme Love and Peace, which was reflected well in the mind-set of the majority of the Japanese people, and a specific preferred outcome of recreation.

The issues and benefits of international connections do not begin or end with Parisian park gravel or Roman playgrounds. Recreation services for high-risk youth, aquatic facilities, services for economically distressed people, recovery from violence or natural disasters (mostly fire) are among more recent questions discussed by NRPA and its international counterparts.

Participation--through membership (in WLRA or IFPRA, for example), at international events, and in mutually useful exchange, is an essential element of personal and professional growth. I recommend your exploration of opportunities.