![]() | Feature: Healthy Living Move for Health | No.49 January 2007 |
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Abstract
Since 1996, some physical activity (PA) promotion
programs have been launched in Latin America. Taking into account the
great impact of the strategies used for those programs in the public health
of the communities, some institutions of the region decided to gather
the stakeholders, as well as the programs, into a network. The Physical
Activity Network of the Americas (PANA) - Red de Actividad Física
de las Américas (RAFA) was launched in 2000. This international
network has the vision to promote PA to improve health in the Americas.
RAFA/PANA has an Executive Committee and 4 boards to organise its actions
in the region: Advocacy, Capacity Building, Research and Evaluation, and
Planning and Objectives. RAFA/PANA is the Network of the National Networks
in the Americas to promote PA in the region. Background to RAFA /PANA
RAFA /PANA was created with the objective of building a “network
of national networks”, integrating members of public and private
institutions both nationally and internationally to promote health and
quality of life through physical activity. RAFA /PANA work with members
to develop, share and coordinate strategies, which strengthen efforts
to increase knowledge, benefits and the levels of physical activity
among populations in the Americas.
The Network includes members of public and private institutions that
initiate or develop physical activity programs, as well as national
and international organisations that can advise and sponsor member activities Summary of Development Process: A Network of National
Networks
The Physical Activity Network of the Americas was inspired by a combination
of local and international factors. Agita São Paulo and other
community-based programs in the Americas demonstrated that physical
activity promotion was timely and feasible. On the international front,
the World Health Organization (WHO) expanded its health promotion efforts
into physical activity, commencing with a planning meeting in Geneva
in February 1997. This was followed in September 1998 by a meeting in
Ottawa, Canada in which an Active Living National Policy Network was
proposed. The concept of starting a regional network in the Americas
evolved simultaneously from regional programs and international recommendations.
During the 21st and 22nd International Symposium of Sciences and Sport
held in São Paulo, (October 1998 and 1999), representatives from
several countries of the Americas discussed and developed the first
official document to promote physical activity in the Americas, entitled
“The São Paulo Manifesto: Promoting Physical Activity in
the Americas.” ![]() Since this time, The Manifesto has been translated
into English, Spanish and Portuguese and has served as the basis for
physical activity promotion throughout the Americas.
Representatives from the Americas, international institutions and organisations
reconvened in São Paulo, Brazil during the International Symposium
of Sciences and Sport held in October 2000. During this meeting, it
was decided that the Physical Activity Network of the Americas would
officially be established as a means for sharing information and strategies
to promote physical activity in the Americas. It was agreed that RAFA
/PANA would develop activities, as much as possible, in synergy with
the CARMEN Programs, which are prevention programs for non-communicable
diseases (NCDs) coordinated by Pan American Health Organization (PAHO),
allowing “better communication and sharing of experiences and
knowledge among countries.” Vision of RAFA /PANA
Promote Physical Activity for Better Health Among All People In The
Americas. Mission of RAFA /PANA
To strengthen efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle through participation
in regular physical activity by facilitating the integration and dissemination
of policies, programs, strategies and experiences of local and national
networks and institutions. The Network will contribute to maintaining
and improving the health and quality of life of individuals and communities
throughout the Americas. Current Structure of PANA/RAFA
With increased momentum among RAFA /PANA members following the successful
meetings held in Caracas, July 2001, São Paulo, October, 2001
and Miami, January 2002, a small executive committee chaired by Centro
de Estudos do Laboratório de Aptidão Física de
São Caetano do Sul (CELAFISCS), was elected in January 2002.
(see Figure 1- RAFA/PANA Structure).
Representatives on the executive committee were
nominated from North, Central and South America and the English-speaking
Caribbean and unanimously confirmed by all participants present. The
executive committee will work to facilitate, disseminate and coordinate
activities and events of the network as well as operationalise the
network.
The executive committee has since held an Annual
Meeting in a network member country. Four committees were formed to
address important activities of RAFA/PANA:
Activities of RAFA
a) Permanent secretariat
b) RAFA/PANA membership c) Voting d) Operation of the Network ![]() MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA FOR RAFA/PANA
RAFA/PANA is a network that exists to facilitate the promotion of physical
activity in the Americas with a minimum of structure and bureaucracy.
Four key themes guide the operation of RAFA/PANA: action, inclusivity,
simplicity and flexibility. - A demonstrated commitment to promote physical activity at the local state, national, or international level. - A commitment to being an active member of the Network: sharing information and working with other members of the network, especially within an institution’s own country. - Membership is institutional, not individual or national. Governmental and nongovernmental organisations, universities, research institutes, community organisations and other non-profit organisations and institutions may join the network. More than one institution per country may belong to the Network. - Members of the Network must submit an annual report to the secretariat. The annual report should cover the previous calendar year and be no longer than 2 single spaced pages. Additional materials may be attached. The report is due to the secretariat by January 31of each year. PROCEDURES FOR JOING RAFA/PANA
- Submit a letter of application for membership to the RAFA /PANA Secretariat
on institutional letterhead. - The letter must include official authorisation from the institution and designation of a point of contact for the Network. The letter must also include documentation of real program experience in physical activity for a period of at least one year, and an institutional structure that supports physical activity programs. A model letter of application will be available on the RAFA/PANA website or from the secretariat. - Membership is approved by a majority vote of the RAFA/PANA Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will consult with existing members, when necessary, to obtain additional information. The vote may be carried out in person, during the monthly teleconferences, or by fax or email. - The RAFA/PANA Secretariat will send a letter to the applicant indicating the decision of the Executive Committee. RAFA/PANA Brochure ![]() NATIONAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAMS IN RAFA/PANA
The Network unites experiences from national physical activity promotion
programs. The national movements have followed the Agita São
Paulo model in Brazil and include:
These different national networks have come together
to share their experiences and lessons learned in order to develop
the most effective programs. ![]() References
Matsudo, S.M.M., Matsudo, V.K.R., Araújo,
T.L., Andrade, D.R., Andrade, E.L., Oliveira, L.C. & Braggion,
G.F. (2004) Physical activity promotion: experiences and evaluation
of the Agita São Paulo Program using the ecological mobile
model. Journal of Physical Activity and Health 1(2):81-97.
Matsudo, S.M. & Matsudo, V.K.R. (2006) Coalitions
and networks: facilitating global physical activity promotion. Promotion
and Education, v.13 133-138,
Meresman, S., Matsudo, V., Nieves, C., Peruga, A.,
Matsudo, S. et al. (2000) Coaliciones interesectoriales en salud:
la experiencia de Agita Sao Paulo. Organización Panmericana
de Salud.
PAHO 3rd Meeting of the CARMEN/CINDI Working Group on Physical Activity,
Miami, Florida USA 2 February, 2002.
Pan American Health Organization. Agita São
Paulo: A Multisectoral Coalition in Health, Washington
DC 2002.
RAFA/PANA. International brochure, 2005. Contact
Sandra Mahecha Matsudo
Physical Fitness Research center from São Caetano do Sul CELAFISCS & AGITA SÂO PAULO Program Sao Paulo, Brasil sandra@celafiscs.org.br Victor KR Matsudo CDC - WHO Collaborating Center for Physical Activity and Health Promotion Physical Activity and Health Branch - Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sao Paulo, Brasil matsudo@celafiscs.org.br Internet: www.rafapana.org English: pana@rafapana.org Portuguese/Spanish: rafa@rafapana.org Secretariat: CDC – 4770 Buford Highway NE (K-46) Atlanta, GA 30341-3717 - USA CELAFISCS – Caixa Postal 168 – São Caetano do Sul - 09501-000 – São Paulo - BRAZIL ![]() http://www.icsspe.org/portal/index.php?w=1&z=5 |