IIPT British Columbia Chapter

Where the Peace Through Tourism movement began

IIPT Chapter · British Columbia, Canada

Where it all began

The Peace Through Tourism movement was born in British Columbia. In 1988 Vancouver hosted IIPT’s First Global Conference, “Tourism – A Vital Force for Peace”, which brought together 800 delegates from 68 countries and introduced the idea of sustainable tourism four years before the Rio Earth Summit.

IIPT itself grew out of Canadian research. The Government of Canada commissioned L.J. D’Amore and Associates to study the future of tourism, and in 1986 Canada’s public and private tourism sectors backed an international conference on tourism and peace. Four years after Vancouver, communities across the country, from St. John’s, Newfoundland, to Victoria, British Columbia, dedicated Peace Parks for Canada’s 125th birthday.

In 2011 an IIPT chapter was launched in Kelowna, in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, by Silverado Socrates, to carry that legacy to a new generation through community events, music and youth exchange.

Our story

From Vancouver 1988 to today

1986
IIPT is founded in the UN International Year of Peace, with the backing of Canada’s public and private tourism sectors.
1987
Wheelchair athlete Rick Hansen of Vancouver, IIPT’s first Ambassador for Peace, completes his 26-month, 40,000-kilometre journey around the world through 34 countries.
1988
IIPT’s First Global Conference, “Tourism – A Vital Force for Peace”, is held in Vancouver, with sponsors including Tourism Canada, Air Canada and the British Columbia Ministry of Tourism. Its task groups shape the Columbia Charter, and the VIA Rail “Peace Train” carries students from Montreal to the conference.
1992
Peace Parks Across Canada: at noon on 8 October, communities from St. John’s to Victoria, British Columbia, dedicate parks to peace, each with a Peace Grove of 12 trees.
2003
IIPT begins organising a Northwest Chapter for Oregon, Washington State and British Columbia, coordinated by Mary Long of Portland, Oregon.
2005
After the Indian Ocean tsunami, the IIPT Northwest Chapter (Oregon, Washington and British Columbia) launches a special appeal for survivors.
2007
Communities across Canada re-dedicate their Peace Parks on 9 October, the project’s 15th anniversary.
2011
The IIPT British Columbia Chapter is launched at the Sunplex recreational complex in Kelowna, under the title “Forecast 2012: Forever Sunny and Green”. It is organised by Silverado Socrates, who had just attended the 5th IIPT African Conference in Lusaka, Zambia.
2013
Chapter President Silverado Socrates is inducted into the University of Victoria Sports Hall of Fame.
2026
At IIPT’s 40th anniversary summit, Prof. Geoffrey Lipman of SUNx Malta describes new work with IIPT to engage children through Peace Parks, including plans for Canada’s Peace Parks.

What we do

A living legacy

Peace Parks

British Columbia communities took part in Peace Parks Across Canada in 1992. The chapter invites schools, youth groups and towns to bring their parks back to life.

See the list of Peace Parks →

Music and youth exchange

The chapter’s song “Discover Magic”, written by Silverado Socrates, was shared with young people in Kasama, Zambia, with the aim of a musical exchange, pen pals and, in time, a youth and teacher exchange.

Community events

The chapter’s launch brought together dancers from Mission Dance Studios, Kelowna youth and a local country band, with support from the Sunplex recreational complex.

Silverado Socrates on horseback in a mountain meadow — Silverado Socrates, founding President of the IIPT British Columbia Chapter, 2013.

“I want Silverado to be known as a peace maker and someone who developed a place that cultivates happiness. The work I do with IIPT will be much more important and satisfying than my running and record setting.”

Silverado SocratesPresident, IIPT British Columbia Chapter, 2013

Watch

Films from IIPT’s Canadian story

12:28

IIPT First Global Conference, Vancouver 1988

The conference that launched the Peace Through Tourism movement, with messages from President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II.

10:32

IIPT Peace Parks Across Canada

The 1992 Canada 125 project in which communities across Canada dedicated Peace Parks.

Blog Living Symbols of Peace The story of IIPT Peace Parks, from Canada to the world. Peace Parks Peace Parks Across Canada Explore the map of Peace Parks and Cities of Peace. Who we are IIPT History From Canadian research to a global movement.

Contact

Get involved in British Columbia

Whether you care for a 1992 Peace Park, teach in a school or work in tourism, IIPT would love to hear from you and help you take part in the chapter’s work.

In your email, please include:

Your name, and your organisation if you have one
Where you are based
How you would like to be involved

Ajay Prakash IIPT Global President ajay@iipt.org

Andreas Larentzakis IIPT Executive Director andreas@iipt.org

Email IIPT

IIPT around the world

Our Chapters

Each chapter brings the IIPT vision to life in its own region. Chapters marked with an arrow have their own website.

Last updated: January 20, 2026

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Last updated: January 20, 2026

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