Past Events
EEHYC is participating in the WHO European Ministerial Conference on the Life-course Approach in the Context of Health 2020
October 20-22, 2015
Maria Yemelyanenko, EEHYC Ukraine Focal Point represented the EEHYC at the WHO European Ministerial Conference in which findings from a wide range of disciplines were presented: genetics, medicine, public health and the environmental, economic and social sciences to illustrate how the life-course approach can maximize the health potential of the entire population.
The WHO European Ministerial Conference main objectives:
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to review new evidence on the factors that improve or damage health throughout the life stages and across generations;
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to examine the policy implications of such evidence for the health sector and for the whole of government; and
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to adopt an action framework in the form of a conference outcome statement for use by countries that wish to apply the findings in public policy-making.
For more information click here
EEHYC Meeting on strategic development, strengthening cooperationbetween established National platforms and EEHYC and increasinginvolvement in WHO programs
The meeting served as an opportunity for EEHYC and National Youth Platforms to set a foundation for a strong cooperation and explore options for further EEHYC development. During this meeting strategies for greater engagement in the WHO EEH process as well as new project proposals for further involvement in the Protocol on Water and Health, the PEP ( the Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme ) and HIC (Health and Climate Change) programs were developed.
Based on these main objectives, the EEHYC meeting was structured so as to
ensure:
>> collaboration between national youth networks and EEHYC and establishment
of a more efficient and effective working structure;
>> a critical evaluation of successes and challenges;
>> greater involvement in the WHO EEH programs (Protocol on Water and
Health, The PEP and HIC)
>> that EEHYC and its partners provide a meaningful input into the preparations
of the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health in Europe.
The meeting was hosted by the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health in
Bonn, Germany, and was supported by the German Federal Ministry for the
Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.
EEHYC participated in the the European Environment and Health Task Force high-level MTR meeting
28-30 April 2015, Haifa, Israel
The meeting aimed to review what has been achieved from 2010, when the parma Declacation on Environment and Health was signed and the document
European Environment and Health Process (2010-2016): Institutional Arrangements was adopted by Member States, until today, as well as to set the priorities for the period leading up to the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health in Europe which will be held in 2017.
In the Parma Ministerial Declaration, Member States committed to involve young people in the
European Environment and Health Process (EHP). As representative body of young people from WHO European Region in the EHP as a stakeholder group, hence a member of the EH Task Force, the EEHYC also reported on the progress regarding youth participation in the implementation of Parma Declaration Objectives, and expressed its opinion on what needs to be done next and how the young plan to be involved. Full report on EEHYC Participation in the EEHP Mid-Term Review meeting is available in Annex 1.
EEHYC participated in the meeting in numerous ways. Some of EEHYC involvements during the MTR:
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Oral interventions from EEHYC representatives in 3 sessions (Annex 2) in which the importance of youth involvement was strengthened and the weight of the cooperation between EEHYC and Ministries of Environment, Health and EducationYouth, schools and universities was emphasised. More importantly, Youth delegation called for establishment of EEHYC in all 53 member states.
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EEHYC President was part of the pannel in Session 3 - Challenges and lessons learned, where he had a 7 minute speech followed by a question and answer session in relation to his presentation (Annex 2).
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Our Coalition had a poster designed by organizers and presented at the poster exhibition alongside those of some Member States and other stakeholder groups. The poster is presented Annex 3.
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Video presentation in the plenary, showing examples included in the EEHYC Publication. Video is available at: https://youtu.be/HUktBTuPbHs
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Presentation of the winning video of the 2014 photo and video competition “City in Motion, People First” organised by the EEHYC. Video is available at: https://youtu.be/5Gc2pb3yZgA
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EEHYC organised a Pedometer competition, encouraging the meeting participants to “walk the talk”, in line with the objective on promoting physical activity outlined in Parma Declaration.
The EEHYC was represented by Adrian Vasnic, the President of EEHYC, by Dovilė Adamonytė, Vice-president of EEHYC, and by Natalia Ciobanu, member of EEHYC Advisory Board.
Annex 1 - Full report on EEHYC Participation in the EEHP Mid-Term Review meeting:
Annex 2 – Full texts of interventions made by EEHYC representatives during the sessions and Presidents speech:
Annex 3 – Poster presented by EEHYC during the MTR meeting:
Executive Board and advisors with the Mayor of Piatra Neamt during the press conference
EEHYC teams stands next to their regional office in a public building in Romania
Executive Board and advisors with the Mayor of Piatra Neamt during the press conference
The EEHYC participated in the 6th meeting of the European Environment and Health Ministerial Board
24 February 2015, Madrid, Spain
The main purpose of the meeting was to review the strategic direction of the European Environment and Health Process (EHP) and its priorities and key milestones for 2015 and 2016, with a view towards the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health.
In particular, the discussion focused on three main areas:
· Reporting and informing: The EHMB was informed about the final preparations of the highlevel mid-term review (MTR) meeting.
· Road map towards the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health:
The EHMB reviewed and discussed a document highlighting the proposed preparatory process for the Sixth Ministerial Conference, including links to the post-2015 agenda and the sustainable development goals. The EHMB agreed on its intersessional programme of work, including planned advocacy activities for its engagement.
· Governance of the EHP: The EHMB reviewed the draft working paper, “Governing the
European Environment and Health Process: lessons learned and the way forward”, that will be discussed at the MTR meeting, as well as proposed amendments to the Rules of Procedure.
During the 6th Ministerial Board meeting, four new members assumed their seats on the EHMB. The four new members are the Ministers of Environment of Armenia, Montenegro (2015), Portugal and the Russian Federation.
The intervention of EEHYC during the meeting was mostly in relation with the Road map towards the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, and referred to
“The importance of assuming short and medium SMART objectives that might be easily assessed and updated, rather than drafting strategic approaches”
The fact that the key points of the Road map are linked to other processes, and EEHYC gave as example PEP and WASH, where we are already active.
The meeting was concluded with still uncertainty about the dates for the Mid Term Review meeting, however all participants reassured about their strong commitment in working towards achieving the set targets.
Dovilė Adamonytė (member of the EEHYC Executive Board) and Natalia Ciobanu (member of the EEHYC Advisory Board) representing the EEHYC at the HIC meeting.
Dovilė Adamonytė (member of the EEHYC Executive Board) and Natalia Ciobanu (member of the EEHYC Advisory Board) representing the EEHYC at the HIC meeting.
Second Strategic Meeting of the Executive Board of EEHYC
4-8 February 2015, Piatra Neamt, Romania
The Economic Resources and Education for Development Centre CREED hosted the Second Strategic Meeting of the Executive Board of EEHYC in Piatra Neamt, Romania.
The meeting was attended by all the 5 Executive Board members, Adrian Vasnic (President), Alina Bezhenar (General Secretary), Antonio Marques Pinto (Vice President), Dovile Adamonyte (Vice President), Jovana Dodos (Vice President) and the two advisers, Natalia Ciobanu and David Rivett.
The meeting was focused on:
1.the internal workings of the EB
2.ways of improving efficiency and team building
3.plans for attending the scheduled Mid Term Review Meeting in Israel
4.Setting up of National Platforms and planning in anticipation of a Bonn meeting for EEHYC EB and National Platforms representatives in autumn of 2015
During their presence in Romania, EEHYC EB and advisors attended a meeting with the Mayor of Piatra Neamt and organised a press conference with the purpose of strengthening the cooperation with both the local authorities and local organisations interested in environment and health.
In order to enhance the frequency and quality of environment and health activities in the area, as well as to increase the organisational capacity of EEHYC, EB has managed to secure, with CREED support, a regional office in a public building, awarded by Piatra Neamt municipality, free of charge, with the sole purpose of contributing to the sustainable development of the local community.
Following the Strategic meeting in Romania, EEHYC is committed to setting up National Platforms in all the countries where National Youth Coordinators are active, as well as hosting, later in the year, a first meeting between the EEHYC and National Platforms representatives in Bonn, with WHO support.
The EEHYC participated in the 4th Meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the European Environment and Health Task Force
13 November 2014, Bonn, Germany
EEHYC, as full member of the European Environment and Health Task Force, was actively involved in the 4th Meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the European Environment and Health Task.
This meeting took place back-to-back with the joint meeting between EHMB Alternates of the current EHMB members, as well as representatives or appointed Alternates of the environment ministers, who will be elected to EHMB for the period 2015-16 at the 20th Session of the UNECE Committee on Environmental Policy at the end of October 2015.
The purpose of the 4th meeting was:
1. To introduce the incoming EHMB Alternates to the group and to the work of EHMB
2. To discuss and advise on the scope and purpose, agenda, programme and meeting documents of the 6th EHMB meeting
3. To discuss the first draft of the intersessional work plan for EHMB and EHP for 2015-2017
The discussions were developed around preparations for the Mid Term Review meeting, and EEHYC, through the voice of its President, reiterated the proposals previously made of implementing on site MTR activities and corroborating with Israeli youth organisations, which were active in the MTR host country.
The EEHYC participated at the Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme Workshop "Improvement of Sustainable Urban Mobility for Better Health and Environment: Move to Improve", Kaunas, Lithuania
24-25 September 2014, Kaunas, Lithuania
Transport guarantees our mobility, but it is also one of the main sources of pressure on the environment and health as it is mainly powered by fossil fuels producing greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and noise.
To address some of these issues, the Kaunas City Municipality and the Ministries of Health, Environment and Transport of the Republic of Lithuania hosted the World Health Organization (WHO) Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP) workshop „Improvement of Sustainable Urban Mobility for Better Health and Environment: Move to improve“. More than 150 participants came to the meeting from the environmental, health, and transport sectors at international, national and local level to renew efforts to prevent pollution free transport and create health-friendly conditions for citizens.
On behalf of the EEHYC Executive Board, Dovilė Adamonytė, vice-president of the Coalition, with the support of the WHO Regional Office for Europe and Kaunas City Municipality organized a pedometers initiative “Move to Improve” where 67 participants from the age of 20 to 29 from the universities and NGO’s of Kaunas city participated. The purpose of the pedometer initiative was:
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to evaluated how many steps, kilometres, kilocalories students make in a one week period and to compare results with the general recommendations (the average of steps/day 6178. According some researches, reasonable estimate of daily activity for apparently healthy adults is around 10000 steps/day).
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To calculated the economic value of mortality rate improvements using Health Economic Assessment Tool for walking (Results showed, that the level of walking is likely to lead to a reduction in the risk of mortality of: 25 %).
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To improved physical activity among students.
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To rise the awareness on the importance of youth participation in the field of environment and helath.
Moreover Dovile presented the topic on „Challenges and Opportunities in Switching to Healthy and Environmentally Friendly Transport. Experiences and Views of the Young“. The presentation was followed by a discussion on how awareness raising, networking, communication and peer-to-peer learning might be integrated into education programmes. The discussion also looked at how, through these programmes, young people might act as catalysts for change in their communities in ensuring better environment and health standards. . Further discussion raised the issues of how young people might play an important and active role in steering the opportunities for the development of future consumption patterns and technology, as well as providing societal support in making them healthy and sustainable. .
EEHYC organized a Capacity Building workshop for the National Youth Coordinators and a Preparatory Session for the Mid Term Review of the WHO European Environment and Health Process
6-9 July 2014, Bonn, Germany
The aims of the meeting were:
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To get the EEHYC National Youth Coordinators (NYCs) better prepared to perform their role inside the Environment and Health process
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To empower NYCs as key players in the creation of EEHYC National Coalitions and develop a teamwork approach.
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To prepare EEHYC for the Mid Term Review of the WHO European Environment and Health Process
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To strengthen the cooperation between EEHYC and key partners, build new partnerships and develop common strategies and projects.
The meeting was structured in two parts: first day was dedicated to capacity building activities for NYCs, building on the needs previously expressed by them (Bonn, 2013), whereas the second day was reserved for interaction with EEHP bodies and developing inputs for the Mid Term Review of the WHO EEHP, which is planned to take place in November 2014 in Tel Aviv, Israel.
The meeting was attended by NYCs from 14 countries, EEHYC Executive Board members, EEHYC Advisory Board members, winners of the photo and video competition "City in Motion: People First!" as well as by representatives of WHO Regional Office for Europe, WHO European Centre for Environment and Health, UNEP TUNZA, and the Chair of the European Environment and Health Task Force. The meeting was organized with a financial support from the Germany's Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.
The event was hosted by the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health Bonn, with support from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.
Full report of the meeting and its annexes here >>
Meeting Report Annex 0 Annex 1 Annex 2 Annex 3 Annex 4 Annex 5
Dovile Adamonyte, Executive Board member representing EEHYC during the Ministerial Board meeting in Lithuania.
Dovile Adamonyte, Executive Board member representing EEHYC during the Ministerial Board meeting in Lithuania.
EEHYC participated at the 5th European Environment and Health Ministerial Board meeting
1 July 2014, Vilnius, Lithuania
On behalf of the EEHYC Executive Board member Dovilė Adamonytė during this high level meeting raised the some important issues about youth collaboration problems with the Focal Points in the countries*, updated previous activities made by the EEHYC on climate change, air quality, chemical safety aspects in the European Environment and Health Process, shared our future plans, initiatives on preparations for the Mid Term Review meeting and energetic prospectives.
The youth coalition participation in Environment and Health Process is a huge input making the problems visible and actual.
*Do you know, that even though EU Member states commited to involve young people and youth organisations in their national programmes on environment and health and report regulary on this metter only one third of the countries reported that youth organizations are involved in the EHP and that there policies to support their engagement . Out of the 28 countries that responded to the policy survey questions related to youth engagement in the EHP, 60% reported involving youth organization in the EHP, and 50 % reported the existence of a policy to support youth involvement in the EHP.
EEHYC organized a paralel event during the World Conference on Youth 2014
6-10 May 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka
The event that took place on 9 May featured group discussions on the global challenges related to environment and health, and how youth and organizations from Europe and Asia can achieve their objectives on this topics, as well as on a 10 minutes discussion about Europe (relevant in the context of EU's Day).
Important aspects of EEHYCs having a member attended the WCY 2014 consist of the experience transfer that occurred, contact with the global dimension of environment and health process, gaining a better understanding of UN decision making processes and creating a bond with youth organizations and officials from around the world.
The Colombo Declaration, as the final document gathering the input of all working groups during the WCY2014 is now available at www.wcy2014.com
EEHYC organized photo and video competition entitled “City in motion: people first”
March - April 2014
The competition was organized with the aim to raise awareness of young people on the issues related to transport, health and the environment in Europe, and to draw the attention of the public, policymakers, and relevant stakeholders to the views of young people on these issue. The competition was organized on the eve of Europe High-level Meeting on Transport, Health and the Environment which took place in Paris on the 14-16 April 2014.
In general in the competition have participated 90 people from 19 countries: Azerbaijan, Serbia, Moldova, Italy, Romania, Estonia, United Kingdom, FYR Macedonia, Georgia, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Austria, Bulgaria, Belarus, Slovakia, Lithuania, Turkey, Poland and Russian Federation. Among these 15 entries were for the video category and 75 for the photo category.
The winners: Justina Guobuzaite from Lithuania and the photo "Enjoying the summer, improving the health" and Daniela Karaivanova from Bulgaria and the video "City in Motion" are invited to join the EEHYC meeting in Germany in July 2014, were they will get a chance to present their creation and to meet EEHYC members.
You can see the winners of
- photo competition here.
- video competition here.
Check out the full report of the Competition here:
Winner of Pedometer competition from the delegation of FYR of Macedonia awarded by EEHYC.
EEHYC hosted a youth side event entitled "Youth is in Motion" during the 4th High-level Meeting on Transport, Health and the Environment
15 April 2014, Paris, France
EEHYC hosted a youth side event during the 4th High-level Meeting on Transport, Health and the Environment, organized by World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.
The event focused on the inclusion of youth in the Ministerial Declaration and on the photo and video competition “City in Motion: People First!” organized by EEHYC on the occasion of this high-level meeting.
EEHYC representatives facilitated a discussion on the topics linked to the proposed Ministerial declaration to be adopted at the end of the meeting, resulting in EEHYC proposals to be included in the Paris Declaration.
The side event was also the occasion to announce the winners of the photo and video competition "City in Motion: People First!"
Check out the Report of the Side Event here:
EEHYC Executive Board
Executive Board Members and facilitator at work
Executive Board members at the conclusion of 2nd Strategic Meeting
EEHYC Executive Board
2nd Strategic Planning Meeting of the European Environment and Health Youth Coalition
31 January - 4 February 2014, Vilnius, Lithuania
EEHYC held its second strategic planning meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania, between 31 January - 4 February 2014. The participants of the meeting were the EEHYC Executive Board members. The main purposes of the meeting were to draw up a strategy to address the priorities of the action plan agreed at the EEHYC GA in November 2013.
On this occasion, EEHYC Executive Board members also met with Lithuanian youth organisations and with officials from the Lithuanian Health Promotion Department and Health Promotion Centre to explore possible ways of future collaboration.
The meeting was held with support from the Lithuanian Health Promotion and Diseases Prevention Centre and the WHO Lithuanian Country Office.
Conference participants
Jovana Dodos presenting EEHYC activities
Conference participants presenting the outcomes of group work during the EEHYC workshop
Conference participants
Tunza Europe Youth Conference on Environment and Sustainable Development
6-8 December 2013, Munich, Germany
EEHYC reprsented by Aleksander Vassiljev, Danilo Arsenijevic, Dovile Adamonyte, Jovana Dodos, Julia Baschinger, Marcello Pacitti and Natalia Ciobanu, was one of the participants in the Tunza Europe Youth Conference on Environment and Sustainable Development. The conference focused the role of youth in Rio+20 outcomes and follow up processes, the Post2015 development agenda, and implementation of the 10 Years Framework of Programmes for Sustainable Consumption and Production (10 YFP).
EEHYC representatives participated in the discussions and held a workshop for meeting participants. The aim of the workshop was to create the context for the young people to explore how environment and human health are linked in the context of Post-2015 agenda, and discuss possible directions for action under that framework (Air quality and health-, Soil quality and health, Climate change and health, Food security and health and Water quality & availability and health).
Other discussion topics included: priority areas for the development of the future United Nations Environment Programme, longterm strategy on the engagement and involvement of young people in environmental issues, youth engagement in Environment and Health issues, Youth Employment. Greeneconomy and enterprises were also among the topics discussed, alongside human rights and the environment, and other regional opportunities for sustaining active youth participation in sustainable development issues.
Jovana Dodos introducing the content of the side event
Outcomes of the discussions
Side event "Youth and the Protocol on Water and Health:True partnership for mutual benefit" during the 3rd Meeting of the Parties to Water Protocol
26 November 2013, Oslo, Norway
On 26 November EEHYC hosted a side event during the 3rd session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol on Water and Health in Olso, Norway. The side event, organized and facilitated by Aidana Zhalelova, Jovana Dodos and Natalia Ciobanu focused on advancing youth participation in the implementation of the Protcol, and aimed at building a common understanding among participants about meaningful youth involvement in the implementation of water and health related projects and activities in the European Region.
The side event was attended by a number of 18 participants – representatives of national governments, media and NGOs, and resulted in EEHYC defining which tasks to undertake in the Protocol Work program for 2014-2016. It proved that both the Coalition and the Parties, as well as other stakeholders have a common vision about how young people can meaningfully contribute to the implementation of the Protocol.
First evening. Getting to know each other.
Group work moderated by Alina Behzenar, member of the EEHYC Organizing Group.
EEHYC members at the conculusion of the 2013 General Assembly.
First evening. Getting to know each other.
General Assembly of the European Environmental and Health Youth Coalition
11-12 November 2013, Bonn, Germany
The first General Assembly of the EEHYC took place in November 2012. Hosted by the WHO Bonn Office and with support from the German Government, EEHYC members and National Youth Coordinators from 24 countries of the WHO European Region came together to agree Coalition‘s Constitution and work plan and elect its first Executive Board.
In addition the GA confirmed the roles of the National Youth Coordinators in building national Coalitions and worked on ideas for how the Coalition would add value to work underway nationally and internationally in acheiving the Parma Commitments.