Get Involved

Start an IIPT Chapter

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IIPT Chapters

Bring peace through tourism to your community

IIPT chapters are where our global mission becomes local action: Peace Parks, Peace Towns, student prizes, conferences and friendships that cross borders.

The basics

What Is an IIPT Chapter?

An IIPT Chapter is a volunteer-led group that represents the International Institute for Peace through Tourism in a country or region. Chapters share IIPT’s mission, to foster travel and tourism initiatives that contribute to a peaceful and sustainable world, and adapt it to the needs and strengths of their own communities.

Each chapter is led by people who know their region: tourism professionals, educators, community leaders and young people. With IIPT’s support, they bring Peace Parks, events, education and partnerships to life where they live.

IIPT chapters today

Is your country missing? Your chapter could be next.

Purpose

Why Start a Chapter?

Make it local

Turn a global idea into projects your community can see and feel, from a Peace Park in the town square to a peace walk along the coast.

Connect your region to the world

Link local tourism, heritage and education with a worldwide network that has worked for peace through tourism since 1986.

Lead with purpose

Give tourism professionals, students and volunteers a meaningful way to use their skills for reconciliation, inclusion and sustainability.

What chapters receive

Benefits of Becoming a Chapter

  • Official recognition as part of the IIPT global family
  • The right to represent IIPT and its mission in your country or region
  • Guidance and support from IIPT’s President, Executive Director and Board
  • The ability to propose IIPT Peace Parks, Peace Towns and Cities of Peace
  • A platform for your news in the IIPT newsletter and on this website
  • A role in IIPT summits, conferences and the 40th anniversary programme
  • Introductions to IIPT partners, Ambassadors and fellow chapter leaders

Community impact

Chapters create lasting change on the ground. A few examples:

  • Serbia: IIPT Peace Parks in Kruševac, Čačak and Sokobanja, and a peacebuilding conference in Belgrade in December 2026
  • Australia: the IIPT Student Peace Prize and Peace Parks in Melbourne and Hobart
  • Caribbean: IIPT/Skål Peace Villages and community tourism across Jamaica
  • Southern Africa: the Peace Towns Programme, bringing tourism into local strategies for harmony and inclusion

Leadership opportunities

Chapter presidents and committee members lead projects, speak at international events and represent IIPT with governments, tourism boards and partners in their region.

Youth engagement

Chapters work with universities and schools on student prizes, youth programmes and Peace Park activities, helping young people become Ambassadors for Peace.

Global networking

Meet chapter leaders, partners and Ambassadors from around the world, share ideas and collaborate on projects that cross borders.

Step by step

How to Get Started

  1. 1
    Get in touch. Email Ajay Prakash and Andreas Larentzakis with a short introduction to yourself and your region.
  2. 2
    Build a founding team. Bring together a few committed people from tourism, education, local government or civil society.
  3. 3
    Agree a plan with IIPT. Outline your first-year goals, such as a Peace Park dedication, an event or a student programme.
  4. 4
    Receive recognition. Once IIPT approves your chapter, you join the IIPT family and appear on this website.
  5. 5
    Launch and share. Hold your first activity and share the story through the IIPT newsletter.
Contact

Start Your Chapter Today

Tell us about yourself, your region and your ideas. IIPT’s Global President and Executive Director will reply personally.

In your email, please include:

  • Your name, and your organisation if you have one
  • Your country and city
  • How you would like to be involved
  • Any ideas, questions or skills you would like to share
Ajay Prakash IIPT Global President ajay@iipt.org
Andreas Larentzakis IIPT Executive Director andreas@iipt.org
Email us about a chapter