The Foundation GaituzSport Fundazioa held a successful “2nd ‘Weaving Networks for Inclusion via Physical Activity & Sport’ Encounter” at the Carlton Hotel, Bilbao, sponsored by the Basque Government, Laboral Kutxa and Kirolene on 25th November.
The GaituzSport Summit is a DYNAMIC, INNOVATIVE and INTERACTIVE FORUM, to discuss and exchange knowledge, experience and good practices whose aim is to share conclusions. This edition focuses on health with the participation of renowned speakers.
75 people attended in person, completing the encounter capacity, which could also be followed live via streaming.
The event like all GaituzSport organised events was done from a real inclusive perspective, using all the resources necessary to enable access for people to the room and follow the event, i.e. space, room arrangement, accessibility, sign language interpreters, etc.
THE WHO WARNS ABOUT SEDENTARISM
Doing Physical Activity is an essential physical and mental health factor, likewise an inclusion and socialisation tool for everyone.
The WHO in their report about the situation worldwide of Physical Activity 2022, https://www.who.int/teams/health-promotion/physical-activity/global-status-report-on-physical-activity-2022, the first on this topic prepared by the WHO and published in October warned that almost 500 million people will fall ill in this decade due to physical inactivity with illnesses like: heart disease, obesity, diabetes and non-contagious diseases, which would involve a cost of 27,500 million Euros unless Governments undertook urgent measures to foster physical activity among their populations.
The disABLED and/or people with pathologies are the population sectors most susceptible to physical inactivity.
DISCUSSION TOPICS
The topics tackled at the 2nd GaituzSport Summit included:
- The worrying data of the WHO report on Physical Activity were analysed; likewise the importance of physical activity for everyone and how it affects physical and mental health from different perspectives;
- The barriers impeding the disabled and/or those with pathologies from starting or resuming physical activity in community spaces.
- In addition the sports prescription was discussed.
At the discussion tables the experts with scientific evidence in hand that physical activity is critical for everybody’s physical and mental health, not to mention being an excellent inclusion and socialisation tool. They also highlighted as an area for improvement the need for greater co-ordination among Institutions together the work of facilitators so the health promoting actions not only reach the public but are also effective.
FORMAT: 1 EXPERIENCE & 2 DISCUSSION TABLES
The encounter was moderated by Xabier Leizea, GaituzSport General Co-ordinator and Kirolene Teacher together with health journalist, Marta Fernández Rivera, GaituzSport Communication Director.
An Experience by Pol Makury, paralympic cross-country skier and trail runner, with the screening of his documentary Why not? After the documentary screening, there was a conversation between the sportsman and moderators which included the attending public.
Afterwards 2 discussion and analysis tables were set up the first on the binomial Physical Activity & Health, dealing with areas such as: existing Public Policies, research, promotion, agent co-ordination as well new initiatives being carried out.
With the participation of prestigious health and sports experts and specialists like: Dr Mar Mendibe, ISS Biocruces Scientific Director; Patxi Cirarda, Basque Government Health Promotion Manager; Dr José Ignacio Landaluce, Bizkaia Mental Health Network Medical Director; Gorka Iturriaga, Basque Government Sports Director, and Arkaitz Larrinaga, Official Basque Physical Education Graduates’ Professional Association.
At the second table experiences and good practices were shared related to physical activity and its influence on cancer patients and those with cerebral palsy, likewise physical activity and mental health programmes with valuable contributions from: Aitor Coca, Vitoria-Gazteiz European University (EUNEIZ) Physical Education Degree Co-ordinator; Ángel Meléndez, Oncological Trainer; Marta Pérez; Director of the Second Chance Foundation (Fundación Segunda Parte) for people with brain damage, and Ibon Oleagagoitia, Athletic Club Foundation Social Area Manager.
The encounter finished with a family photo, after which the attendees enjoyed a lively cocktail – networking, where they continued sharing and discussing.
You can watch below videos of the 2nd “Weaving Networks for Inclusion through Physical Activity & Sport” Encounter.
EXPERIENCE BY POL MAKURI VIDEO
TABLE VIDEO 1: BIONOMIAL PHYSICAL ACTIVTY & HEALTH
TABLE VIDEO 2: INCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES & GOOD PRACTICES IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
