Children and young people's motivation, confidence in the future and opportunities to complete their studies were the focus of the Västra Götaland Region's conference Completing Studies. "Every person deserves to succeed in life", said Helén Eliasson, Chair of the Regional Executive Board of Region Västra Götaland, at the start of the conference.
The conference included several seminars with the latest research on, among other things, accessible learning environments, young people's confidence in the future, mental health and ill health linked to studies. We also heard from children and young people about how they feel, what they face in their everyday lives, how they see life and the future. Make a Move was invited to show how physical literacy contributes to mental well-being and success in school.
From inactivity and ill health to making movement a natural part of life
Together with the Center for Physical Activity, we presented how to move from inactivity and ill health to making movement a natural and positive part of life. We focused on how to concretely go from knowing to doing. To get moving, it is not only physical conditions that are needed, but we emphasized the importance of wanting and daring to be in motion. By being in a positive movement context, motivation and self-confidence are strengthened and thus increase the willingness to participate again. We talked about the positive effects of physical activity on mental health and the link to completion of studies.
Joining us on stage, we were delighted to have Henry, aged 8, who shared his thoughts, experiences and ideas about movement, activities and school. And an important message that permeated the whole conference was "We need to talk to children instead of about children". Something that Åsa Ekman, author and consultant in children's rights work, reinforced, "A prerequisite for completed studies is that children and young people's right to participation and influence is met".
Through our participation, we hope that more people will understand the importance of movement for mental health and completion of studies!
