Academic Training Program

Reducing Health Inequalities
in Inclusive Cities

Analyzing the Impact of the Venice Declaration

IFFD is coordinating the work of eight students who participate in the Erasmus+ Minor+ Beyond Borders – Reducing health inequalities of the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences and will focus on the implementation of the Venice Declaration in different European regions on these aspects:
– healthy habits and lifestyles, especially those targeted to prevent mental disorders and to meet the needs of older persons, setting the necessary structure to stimulate innovation and intergenerational relations in hospitals as well as medical attention of visitors and tourists (#4), and to bridge the digital gap via training of older persons, professional carers and families in vulnerable situations (#2) .
– establish specific programs to recognize the value of unpaid work and care, and address the needs of families in vulnerable situations (#10).

They started their work with the preparation of an action plan in Brussels during the second week of September 2021, after partially attending the International Online Workshop. They had some introductory sessions and the visit to some of the regional offices of the Veneto Region (Italy), Carinthia (Austria), Friuli-Venezia-Giulia (Italy), Attica (Greece) and Kujawsko-Pomorskie (Poland), where they could learn first hand what projects have present and potential European signatories developed. These visits were organized in coordination with European Local Inclusion & Social Action Network (ELISAN).

During the following weeks, these students are staying in Marseille, Treviso and Klagenfurt, to process the knowledge and insight acquired regarding these areas:
– strategies to reduce health inequalities;
– strategies to increase the support and involvement of the target group;
– research into financial possibilities;
– search for cooperation partners.