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W O R L D P A R K S A C A D E M Y

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W O R L D P A R K S A C A D E M Y T E R M S O F R E F E R E N C E

P R E A M B L E“…the Eppley Institute, with the assistance of World Urban Parks, has established, the World Parks Academy. This academy will be led by the World Parks Academy Board, with officers overseeing the Board’s operation as described in this document. This effort will rely on a timely, systematic certification and program process, competency-based professional development opportunities, and overall support and advocacy for the international park profession.”

B O A R D F U N C T I O N SSection 1.02 “Assist with the overall strategy and direction for the World Parks Academy.” The World Park Academy seeks board members from diverse geographic areas, with diverse experiences and an inclusive approach that are committed professionals, articulate, and able to advocate for, and represent the World Park Academy.

W P A J O U R N E Y• 2007 Proposal by the Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands at Indiana University

(IU Eppley) to the International Federation of Park and Recreation Administration (Ifpra) in Dublin.

• 2010 An Ifpra committee proposes Certified Park Professional (CPP), Certified Park Professional -International (CPPI), and the formation of an Ifpra Academy.

• 2013 MOU between Ifpra and IU Eppley forms the Ifpra Academy. • 2014 The first certificates are awarded at the Ifpra Asia Pacific Conference in Penang.• 2015 Ifpra reconstituted as World Urban Parks (WUP). Academy re-named the World

Parks Academy. Recognition of National Association certification. • 2016 Webinar series developed. Conference workshops. CPP-France established• 2017 3-year work plan developed. First National Associations Roundtable held.• 2018 Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Malaysia awarded the first Program of Merit

for its Bachelor of Park and Amenity Management. Graduating students are eligible for Provisional CPP.

• 2019 WPA Strategy 2020-2024.

V I S I O N

M I S S I O N

By 2024 the World Parks Academy would be the organization of choice for setting international standards for the park and recreation industry through competency development, educational and knowledge-sharing programs, and accreditation to advance human and environmental well-being.

The WPA collaborates with international park and recreation associations to support the parks profession through competency-based certification and training, recognizing academic programs of merit (accreditation), and forums to advocate and share knowledge.

P R I N C I P L E S O F T H E W P A• Diversity – globally, nationally, and culturally relevant; addressing language, race,

social, and other barriers as resources and timelines allow• Partnership – Facilitating organisational partnerships for mutual success by

collaborating and modelling collaborative behaviour• Standards– international research-based and competency-based recognition of

professionals and organisations• Forward Thinking– advancing the professional frontier through knowledge sharing

using innovative research and sharing the results• Leading the Profession- supporting the individual wanting to develop skills and

become certified, as well as the agency-university wanting to ensure that guidelines can be met in their activities

• Communicators- providing forums, webinars, roundtables, and presentations at conferences

S E R V I C E SWPA WUP

PROFESSIONALCERTIFICATION

(CPP/CPP-I)

ACADEMICPROGRAM OF

MERITADVOCACY

COMMITTEES

CONGRESS

INDIVIDUAL,PARK & ORGANIZATION

AWARDSCOLLABORATION

FOR EDUCATION &KNOWLEDGE SHARING

COLLABORATIONTO SET STANDARDS

S T R A T E G I C A R E A S 1. PROFESSIONAL, TERTIARY, AND ORGANISATIONAL COMPETENCY

a. Maintain the relevance of internationally recognised and validated competencies and guidelines for WPA programs, and partner with WUP on promotion

b. Expand national and international certification of professional’s credentialsc. Offer training and workshops to develop professional competenced. Provide Tertiary institution and organisation programs of merit possibly evolving

toward accreditatione. Provide organizational-agency accreditation implementation

2. FORUMS TO SHARE KNOWLEDGEa. Develop world webinar programs and continue to improve existing webinars as

the opportunity presents itself.b. Expand web-based and on-ground services for organisational and professional

discussion and learningc. Develop a credentialing international instructor development program so

individuals can teach WPA approved, standardized, competency based in person training (may include fee collection, travel, record attendance, record completion, and standards maintenance)

3. LEVERAGING PARTNERSHIPSa. Strengthen national associations and their certification/joint certificationb. Link competency development to WUP and national association membership

and/or participationc. Strengthen and develop WUP congress programsd. Build international network for competency validatione. Work with key partners focused on Latin America, Africa, and Asia to advance the

WPA’s programs. f. Develop a productive partnership with WUP Japan to strengthen the international

value of Qualified Park Administrator (QPA) credential.

4. GOVERNANCEa. Strengthen effective governance, operational performance management, and

sustainabilityb. Strengthen effective planning, investment and delivery strategies and proceduresc. Strengthen the financial sustainability

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