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Deakin University, in collaboration with the Planning Institute of Australia, presents

Healthy Cities and Communities Short Course

Monday 6 August – Thursday 9 August 2007
Melbourne Australia

Background

Ever since the publication in 1974 of the Lalonde Report, it has been recognised that major improvements in health
can result from improving our physical and social environments and changing our personal and collective lifestyles,
rather than simply investing further in the health (sick) care system. The city provides a useful focus for these concerns, because more than half the world’s population are now urban dwellers.

There is a rich historical tradition linking public health and urban planning, and the communities where people live and work provide a natural focus for health promotion. The challenge, then, is to define what is meant by a ‘healthy city’ or ‘healthy community’ (and to whom), to examine the major components that contribute to a healthy city and to consider how this presumably desirable state can be achieved.

The World Health Organisation’s Healthy Cities/Communities initiative, which began in Canada and Europe in 1986, now involves thousands of cities, towns and villages throughout the world. In many places, the Healthy Cities paradigm has also formed the basis for a reinvigoration of local governance. Deakin University’s School of Health and Social Development is an Associate Member of the WHO Western Pacific Healthy Cities Alliance.
The Deakin University Healthy Cities and Communities Short Course is designed to bring together urban planners, health planners, social planners, managers, administrators, consultants and policy makers in the public and private sectors. It will be of particular interest to local government practitioners, managers and Councillors. The course will have a strong urban design focus, and will concentrate on research and practice relating to 'place'. The Course builds on successful courses conducted in 2005 and 2006.

Aims

The Deakin University Healthy Cities and Communities Short Course addresses health promotion in the urban physical and social environments. It explores two basic questions: What is a healthy city/community? How do we get one? The course aims to enable you to:

• Understand the concept of the healthy city/community
• Explore how cities and communities can become more health-promoting
• Think cross-sectorally: Recognize the solid scientific foundations for intersectoral collaboration and integrated planning
• Acquire the political arguments and materials for sustaining a Healthy Cities approach
• Explore the management and leaderships skills needed to act as catalysts and social entrepreneurs
• Obtain the benefit of others’ experiences through:
  • Engagement about local practice on a very practical level
  • Stories and case studies about what has and has not worked, including the strategies associated with progress.
  • Hearing about issues coming from a wide range of sectors, including yours
• Take new energy, understanding and skills back to your own city / community
  
  

Program

Learning Methods:
· Presentations
· Workshops, discussion
· Problem-oriented case studies
· Field trips

Cost

Full Registration: AUS $1,100 (includes GST).
Concession: AUS $700 (proof of concession status required; five supported places will be held)
Cost includes:
· Lunch, Refreshments
· Books and materials
· Field trips

Venue Details

Venue: The Green Building 60 Leicester Street Carlton Melbourne VIC Australia Number of participants: 30-45

Important Informaton

For program enquiries contact Dr Iain Butterworth

For further registration or payment details, please contact Liliana Donisi