Lunch symposium: Settings Approach in public health: the case of health promotion in schools in Europe and Asia

Thursday 29 November 2018, 12:15 - 13:15

Organised by

Health Promotion Administration, Taiwan

Programme
The Settings Approach to health promotion has developed during the past 25 years. Together with population and health topic approaches, it is one of the main approaches used in public health.

Schools are important settings for children’s physical, emotional and intellectual growth. They are also an important setting for public health interventions and an opportunity for health monitoring and surveillance. Schools are also the work environment for teachers and a setting for many volunteers. This symposium is focuses on a critical dimension of defining health promotion policies and practices in relation to developing human resources (recruitment, training, occupational health and well-being, management, etc.).

The Settings Approach to public health combines health education in the classroom with the development of school policies, the physical and social school environment, life competencies and involving the school community and the parents. The approach is characterized by active participation from everyone involved including, of course, school staff. Schools are not only learning environments; they are also workplaces. Many studies show the influence of teachers' wellbeing, mental health and stress on school practices. The issue of human resources therefore needs to be addressed.

The various contributions will offer both empirical data and case studies from different viewpoints and regions: research, practices, school health promotion, staff training, occupational health, Europe, Asia.

The last contribution will offer a more comprehensive view of the issues linked to human resources for the Setting Approach to health promotion. After these presentations, the floor is open to discussions with the audience. The symposium is the result of the collaboration of research teams from Taiwan and Europe.

Moderator
Prof Mark Dooris, University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom 

Presentations
Health promotion in schools: who are the health promoters, how do we recruit and educate them, how do to give them the means to make a difference?
Didier Jourdan, University of Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France

Empowering a school’s teachers and staff health and well-being: an action research approach
Fu-Li Chen, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan

The Settings Approach: reflections and implications for human resources
Mark Dooris, University of Central Lancashire, Lancashire, United Kingdom