The organisers of Shape Up, a school-community approach to influence the health determinants for healthy and balanced growth, were invited to present the results of the project as a best practice for international health-promoting school initiatives at the 3rd European Conference on Health-Promoting Schools held in Vilnius, Lithuania, from 15 to 17 June 2009.

The aim of the conference, hosted by the European Commission (Health and Consumers Directorate-General) and the Lithuanian Government, was to strengthen cross-sectoral and intergovernmental collaboration and disseminate best practices related to the scientific, practical and political aspects of school health promotion. The conference brought together specialists from the health, education and social sectors, governmental, municipal and youth organisations, academic institutions and other actors concerned about the health of children.

The Shape Up project, presented by Tatiana Mora from P.A.U. Education, received a very enthusiastic reception from the Health-Promoting Schools Network. Its positive results as a community-level health education project developed in 20 European countries bear witness to the effectiveness of the methodology in developing school-community collaboration and creating youth ownership and innovative learning to influence the determinants of child obesity. Shape Up has had positive effects on local democracy, helped local stakeholders to act effectively and achieve long-term changes, reinforced active learning and innovative curriculum plans, and promoted cross-cultural collaboration.

 

For further information about Shape Up, please visit http://www.shapeupeurope.net/

For more information about the conference, please visit http://www.conference2009.lt/