Healthy Parks Healthy People International Congress 2010

[i]Urbanicity Conference [/i] 11-16 April 2010 new Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Australia [b]The Call for Proposals for the first International Healthy Parks Healthy People Congress is NOW OPEN and will remain open until July 24th 2009.[/b]WHY NOT PUT YOUR HEALTHY AND ACTIVE MIND TO THE TEST AND SUBMIT A PROPOSAL. With the increasing recognition of the value of nature to human health and wellbeing worldwide, Parks Victoria will host the inaugural International Healthy Parks Healthy People Congress at the new Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Australia from 11-16 April 2010. This will be a unique opportunity to bring together 1000 delegates from all relevant sectors (i.e. planning, community development, physical and mental health, tourism, climate change, education, recreation, ecology and park management) to explore how we can take better advantage of the way nature significantly contributes to our wellbeing and broader societal benefits. We are seeking proposals under the following themes: Healthy Communities, Healthy Parks, Healthy Participation, Healthy People and subthemes. Are you proud of what benefits have occurred through your collaborative work?? We need your contribution - come along and share your research, showcase your innovative programs and join the discussion on how to make cooperation better!!! Keynote speakers: We now have seven confirmed keynote speakers (see below) and are still in discussion with many others. Richard Louv – Author "Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder". Steve Coleman - Executive Director of Parks and People (Washington DC, United States) and Trustee of the City Parks Alliance. William Bird – Senior Health Advisor to Natural England, United Kingdom. Kathleen Frith – Assistant Director Centre for Health and the Global Environment, Harvard Medical School. See - http://chge.med.harvard.edu/programs/healthyoceans/trailer.html. Aaron Bernstein – Co-Author of “Sustaining life: how human health depends on biodiversity”. Janet Holmes à Court AC – Successful Australian Business Woman, Australian Living Treasure and chairperson of the Australian Children's Television Foundation. Gil Penalosa – Executive Director of Walk and Bike for Life in Canada and Senior Associate with New York City’s Project for Public Spaces. If you would like to be associated with this innovative congress and join other partners, we are looking for additional sponsors to help brand this event on the international stage. To find out more go to: http://www.healthyparkshealthypeoplecongress.org