Europe in Motion

The complete name of the organization is HEPA Europe - European Network for the Promotion of Health Enhancing Physical Activity. And the name says it all. HEPA’s goal is to join together with all other pertinent organizations in the health promotion field to ensure that Europeans get more physical exercise. However, the groundwork must be laid first. In an initial step, HEPA will draw up a financial plan, develop a communication strategy and design a logo. The next conference will be held in Tampere, Finland, in 2006 at the invitation of the UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research.

Great attention was paid at the first HEPA meeting in the Danish city of Slagelse to successful local projects that could also point out possible directions for future interregional projects. Legal and financial conditions were also discussed. It is estimated the organization will need annual funding of about €150,000. More information about HEPA Europe should soon be available on the Internet. HEPA Switzerland is already online at http://www.hepa.ch