My journey at the 11th HEPA Europe Conference in Nice, France.
I had the opportunity to participate in the 11th HEPA Europe Conference, “An ecosystem approach to health enhancing physical activity promotion” held in Nice, France, on the beautiful French Riviera from the 31st of August – 2nd of September 2022. It was the biggest HEPA Europe Conference so far and my 5th consecutive one and also the busiest one for me.
During the 3 days of the conference, I had the opportunity to present two poster presentations, co-moderate a poster session and an oral session, chair the annual meeting of one of the network’s working groups (i.e. The Policy Approaches Working Group), participate in plenaries, symposiums, parallel sessions and poster sessions. I got to see again, after a couple of years of isolation, colleagues and friends and get to meet new people, with diverse and interesting research experience. I also got to walk (and run :D) on the famous Promenade des Anglais and sightsee Nice and Cannes, two beautiful cities.
My two poster presentations focused on the Romanian general practitioners’ attitudes and perceptions regarding physical activity on prescription, respectively the role of local governments in physical activity promotion.
Being able to reconnect with colleagues and friends, including DE-PASS colleagues, present my current work and receive feedback on it, meet new people and discuss emerging topics in physical activity promotion was both rewarding (after a long period of only office work) and fulfilling for me.
I am really happy and grateful to have been given the opportunity to participate in my favourite conference with financing from an ITC Conference Grant and I encourage anyone eligible to apply for funding to support and pursue their work and passions.
