Active Healthy Young Europe

Project summary

CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND In the World Health Organization Global Consultation (Health For The World's Adolescents -2014), adolescents considered the top health-compromising behaviours among their peers to be: unhealthy diets/physical inactivity/alcohol and other substance use/poor sleep habits. That is why this project deals with wellness, sport and eating habits related to teenagers caught in a time when they are trying to make sense of the rapid bodily changes that they are experiencing. Furthermore, the percentage of teenagers who practice sport is notably decreasing as they are more attracted by computer games, virtual sporting practice and mobile addicts. Fewer than 1 in every 4 adolescents meets the recommended guidelines for physical activity - 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily (WHO -Adolescents: health risks and solutions - Fact sheet -Updated May 2016). Adolescents also require the knowledge and support to develop a healthy lifelong relationship with food to reinforce long-term health as well as to develop a positive body image (UN Agenda 2030) OBJECTIVES: -to raise awareness about the importance of healthy living and physical activity -to improve students' quality of life and abilities at school -to give students information about potential risks related to some techniques and/or products to enhance physical performance -to develop students' perspective and reflection on learning in a global world through computer-supported collaborative learning platforms, intercultural communication, exchange and mobilities NUMBER AND PROFILE OF PARTICIPANTS ITALY :the school in Potenza focuses on the relationship between scientific and humanistic knowledge aims to give students the cultural tools to tackle any type of university studies and the challenges of the contemporary world SPAIN :the school in Ronda is divided in Compulsary Education (ESO), Voluntary and pre-university Education (Bachillerato), Vocational Education (studies related to Health Care) (Medium and High grades) FRANCE :the school in Les Mans consists of a general and technical high school and a vocational section. Students follow from third preparatory class to the classes of senior technicians and preparatory classes for engineers schools GERMANY: a vocational school in the north-west of Lower Saxony offers studies in business, ICT and health care. The school leads to different qualifications with the A-level as highest diploma GREECE: students in this state school in Rethymno attend at 3 grades and then sit Panhellenic exams to enter university DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES Each partner school group : Works on the main themes of the project Produces presentations, videos Shares and compares the findings during the meetings Participates in activities Meets experts and associations related to the topic Produces the rationale, objectives and plan of activities for the creation of a Healthy Sport Club at the schools. Designs a syllabus for a Global Sport and Healthy Education Subject to be implemented in each school METHODOLOGY Pair and group works, research and analysis, use of ICT, cooperative learning RESULTS -to be aware of healthy living habits and physical activity to improve the quality of life and abilities at school and in life -to reduce intolerance, stereotypes and fear of meeting foreigners -to improve English language skills and to learn basic skills in other European languages -to be active European citizens -to establish contacts in Europe (meeting private and public people, associations and institutions) -to develop the awareness and appreciation of the variety of European cultures and languages -to increase students' and teachers' motivation in cooperation and exchange of good practices -to apply ICT-based contents, services, and techniques for life-long learning IMPACT Attitudes towards European citizenship, with a focus on healthy eating habits and well-being will improve. Students and staff of partner schools will be more interested in European exchange programmes Their attraction to language diversity and to innovative ICT tools will further increase. LONGER TERM BENEFITS All partner schools will benefit from having staff and students who can think critically about the world and intervene for change. The profile of the school institution in the local community will be raised. It will bring a stronger European dimension to all partners. Increased quality of education and training Increased synergies and links among different bodies Improved use of European reference tools and certifications Increased cooperation among public institutions More integrated use of ICT Increased motivation for language learning required by education and labour market Reinforced interaction between practice, research and policy in each system