A changing of the guard at the IUHPE

The IUHPE is a global network working to promote health worldwide. Last summer it elected its new President and Vice-Presidents at the world conference in Vancouver.

The International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) is a global network that has been working for over 50 years to promote health worldwide. Its members include on a global scale both organisations and individuals committed to improving well-being and health through education, community action, and promotion of health. The IUHPE operates in close co-operation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and many other multinational organisations.

A changing of the guard in Canada

The IUHPE elected new Vice-Presidents at the world conference in Vancouver, Canada, on 9th June 2007. Mr. Mika Pyykkö, the executive director of the Finnish Centre for Health Promotion (Tekry), was elected Vice-President of the organisation's European regional office for 2007–2010. His predecessor, who held the office for six years, was Prof. John Kenneth Davies from Great Britain.

Mr. Pyykkö is the second Finn to hold a leadership position in the IUHPE and the first to be elected Chairperson of IUHPE-EURO. In the 1990s, Mr. Matti Rajala from Finland acted as President of the IUHPE before he became financial director of the EU’s public health programme.

Last summer, the Vancouver conference elected Dr. David McQueen of the United States as President of the IUHPE for 2007–2010. He succeeds Prof. Maurice Mittelmark from Norway in the position.

The following interviews were conducted by e-mail in September.

President of IUHPE 2007–2010
Doctor David McQueen

President of IUHPE 2000–2006
Professor Maurice Mittelmark

European Vice-President of IUHPE/EURO 2007–2010
Executive Director Mika Pyykkö

European Vice-President of IUHPE/EURO 2000–2006
Professor John Kenneth Davies

They lead IUHPE

Interviews by Tuula Kolari
Photo by Juha Mikkonen

Upcoming conferences

The European conference of the IUHPE is held annually, and the world conference is held every three years.

IUHPE:n 20th world conference
july 2010
Geneve, Switzerland

IUHPE:n 8th European conference
www.hp08torino.org
10.-13.9.2008
Torino, Italy