Annual Report 2012, Cadiz

ECER 2012 in Cadiz, Spain was the second conference for Network 8 (Research on Health Education). We had about 60 papers during the conference, which is almost double more than last ECER in Berlin. Two of the submissions were posters; two were symposiums, and the rest paper presentations. I myself was prevented to attend the conference, but my colleague Monica Carlsson took care of the Network meeting and other network activities, and she kindly contributed to this report. All the sessions went well; there were a few cancellations and no–shows, which meant that some of the sessions had only two presentations, which was used as an opportunity for more time for discussion. There was lack of the EERA office response considering information on last moment cancellations, and a wish was expressed for a more prompt communication during the conference itself. The attendance of the sessions was good; there were between 10 and 25 people in the sessions, less if there were parallel sessions, most at the symposiums and the network meeting. There were good discussions and feedback from the participants concerning the thematic areas in the sessions. The Network meeting was scheduled and conducted as a session within the conference programme. The discussion involved information about the rejection of the proposal to change the name and scope of the network to include education for sustainable development. Although regrettable, the focus of the discussion was positive, towards the fact that this might be better, as it allows us to keep strong focus on research on health education and health promotion because not all the members combine these issues with the issues of education for sustainable development. The group of members that do decided to apply for a separate network within EERA.  Other issues were discussed too, such as possibilities for collaboration and joint symposiums with other networks. In this respect Network 1 (professional development), 3 (curriculum) and 25 (children’s rights) were specifically mentioned, and a few members took the responsibility to explore possibilities for joint sessions next year.