Students’ Corner

Update on the Upcoming 2011 Student-led Pre-Conference Session

We want to encourage everyone to register for the innovative and exciting student-led session that aims to interrogate public health’s role in social change through a facilitated interactive, high-tech dialogue where participants can ask the panellists questions using text messaging, email, and other social media. This session has been modelled after a session that was held in Geneva, Switzerland at the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) Conference in 2010. Their student and early career network (ISECN) used similar technology to create a highly participatory environment for a conference session. We aim to re-create a similar experience for participants attending this pre-conference session. Please watch for upcoming announcements on where you can post early questions and discussion items online in preparation for the session. The session will take place on June 19^th in Montreal as part of the CPHA pre-conference program. We hope to see you there!
 

The International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE): Opportunities for Student Involvement on a Global Scale

I learned about the IUHPE Student and Early Career Network (ISECN) during my master’s program at the University of Bergen in Norway. There I found a group of students and early career researchers who were actively engaged in the field of health promotion! I was thrilled to find an organization that championed the philosophies behind health promotion, while allowing student members to take an active role. Joining ISECN has allowed me as a recent graduate to stay engaged in health promotion on a global level through networking and real opportunities for action.

As part of ISECN, you can be as involved as you choose to be, but I think you will find that as you learn more about the members and our work, you will want to be more engaged. I began slowly in ISECN, starting with the suggested idea of creating a newsletter; this soon developed into a monthly newsletter that includes contributions from ‘ISECNers’ all over the globe. Some of these students even received university course credit for their contributions! Through the work of ISECN leaders, many of us were also encouraged to take part in planning for and volunteering at the 2010 IUHPE World Conference. At the conference, ISECN members had the opportunity to facilitate many conference elements: members helped to manage the conference’s online presence through the use of Facebook, Twitter and the conference website; worked directly with IUHPE headquarter staff at their conference booth; planned and facilitated a highly successful interactive symposium on “What can health promotion learn from other social movements”; ran a symposium where members reported on the work of the Ethics working group; and hosted a workshop for potential and current ISECN members. Through our dynamic presence, valuable professional contacts and collaborations were formed.

I have been greatly rewarded for my participation in ISECN on both professional and personal levels. Prior to joining the organization, I had never seen such a committed, motivated, and truly fun group to partner with. I hope that if you have not heard about ISECN, you will get more information and will decide to join. Joining is free with IUHPE membership (www.iuhpe.org) ­ or just begin by emailing me!