|  | Feature: Healthy Living Move for Health | No.49 January 2007 |
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Moving for Health in the Americas: The Role of the Physical Activity Network of the Americas (RAFA /PANA) Sandra Mahecha Matsudo & Victor KR Matsudo |
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: Advocacy Capacity Building Research and Evaluation Planning and Objectives Activities of RAFA Coordinate activities in the Americas around World Physical Activity Day – Agita Mundo; Maintain a website for RAFA /PANA (www.rafapana.org); Hold an Annual Meeting to facilitate promotion of physical activity in the Americas; Facilitate the exchange of policies, programs and strategies for physical activity promotion; Regional and national training courses; Involvement in the International Prevalence Study using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, demonstrating the feasibility of collecting internationally comparable data; Develop guidelines for various aspects of the Network; a) Permanent secretariat b) RAFA/PANA membership c) Voting d) Operation of the Network Connect and support national networks for physical activity promotion 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: Argentina: A Moverse Argentina, Argentina en Movimiento, Salí a Moverte, Sacúdete Bolivia: Muévete Bolivia Brasil: Agita São Paulo Canada: Active 2010 - Ontario Colombia: Red Colombiana de Actividad Física (REDCOLAF): Muévase Pues, Muévete Bogotá, Risaralda Activa, Activate en Pereira, Buga en Movimiento, Guajira Activa, Madrúgale a la Salud, Palpita/Vibra Quindío, Cauca Activa, Cundinamarca Activa y Positiva, Boyacá Activa, Colombia Activa y Saludable, Cali en Movimiento, Bucaramanga: A Moverse Digame, Huila Activo y Saludable, Putumayo Saludable en Movimiento; Colombia Activa y Saludable Costa Rica: Movámonos Costa Rica Ecuador: A Moverse Ecuador México: Programa Nacional de Activación Física y PROESA Panamá: Muévete Panamá Perú: Muévete Perú Venezuela: Venezuela en Movimiento, Red Venezolana de Vida Activa 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 Moving for Health in the Americas: The Role of the Physical Activity Network of the Americas (RAFA /PANA) Sandra Mahecha Matsudo & Victor KR Matsudo