By hosting the third “WHO European Healthy Cities Network Annual Business and Technical Conference", which represents 110 European cities, the Province of Liège has further strengthened its policy of openness to the world and of major international events. And that is exactly what will occur in 2012, with the Triennial of Contemporary Art, and of course with the “Grand Depart” of the Tour de France, the third largest sporting event in the world.
I wish all participants in the WHO conference many discoveries in the Province of Liège as well as pleasant moments through your contact with the inhabitants of Liège whose conviviality is, according to our visitors, a real feature of their character.
André GILLES
Provincial Deputy - President
Being a member of the "Healthy Cities" project since 1991, "Liège Province Santé” represents one of the Belgian projects within the European network.
As soon as 2002, the Belgian French-speaking Network was formed around "Liège Province Santé”. This network is young but dynamic: intersectorality and transversality are the guiding lines of its approach.
It aims to develop health promotion at a local level and relies on three core values: protection of the environment, equality in health care, participation and empowerment of individuals.
Beside "Liège Province Santé ", the network is currently composed of 7 “Healthy Cities”: Charleroi, Chaudfontaine, Huy, La Louvière, Mouscron, Sambreville and Seraing, as well as partners like the University of Liège or the so-called bilingual entity “Brussels City and Health Region".
Ir. Georges PIRE
Provincial Deputy - Vice president
President of Liège Province Santé
Sport is one of the greatest metaphors of life. It’s a kind of pathway to a positive and determined frame of mind towards energy and genuine courage. Sport gives health, harmonizes the body, increases moral energy and asserts the personality.
Thus, my desire is to truly unite, federate and encourage the practice of sport. Also, the third “WHO European Healthy Cities Network Annual Business and Technical Conference” Network meeting is another opportunity for me to tell you that sport - with will – is good for your health! Sportly yours...
Christophe Lacroix
Provincial Deputy
In its approach, the Department of Social Affairs incorporates one of the concepts of the World Health Organization called "healthy ageing". Therefore, initiatives are taken such as the coordination of Municipality Advisory Councils of Seniors or the organization of an annual Volunteering Fair, a unique achievement of its kind in Belgium, which is in line with the 2011 European year dedicated to this civic commitment. Here just to name just a few examples of our social policy towards the populations that are most likely to be exposed or at risk from birth to the age of wisdom.
Confident with these significant commitments but aware of the remaining work, I wish all participants to thrill to the contact with the "Cité Ardente" (« the hot-blooded city ») and discover the spirit of openness as well as the qualities of the heart of the « Valeureux Liégeois », the worthy citizens of Liège.
Katty FIRQUET
Provincial Deputy
Provisional scope and purpose
This is the third Annual Business and Technical Conference of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network and the Network of European National Healthy Cities Networks in Phase V. The WHO European Network will have about 110 member cities by June 2011. In addition, 30 national healthy cities networks in Europe have more than 1400 cities and towns as members.
The conferences of the WHO Healthy Cities networks are strategic in nature and include a strong political presence from the participating cities and networks. The programme of the Liège Conference will be developed around three main themes. These include the first consultation with local governments on the new health policy for the WHO European Region – Health 2020. For this reason, it has been decided that the annual Conference will exceptionally be four, rather than three, days’ long.
moreThe Province of Liège in few words
As you probably know, the Province of Liege is a place with many different assets, particularly related to its exceptional geographic location lying in the heart of Europe, sharing common borders with the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany, surely one of the largest European markets in the east. We can say, without being too chauvinistic, that Liege is also, at its level, the capital of Europe !
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The meeting is non-smoking.
