SECOND PROJECT MEETING IN KOMOTINI (GREECE)
In May 2025, the partners gathered for the second project meeting in Komotini, Greece, at the Democritus University of Thrace. The meeting took place alongside the 33rd International Congress of Physical Education, Science, and Sport, during which there was also a roundtable presentation of the methodology developed in the DUSE project. Over 60 representatives from schools, universities, and sports organizations attended the event.
During the meeting, the partners reviewed the project activities. For the recently completed 2024/25 school year, the educational programs were implemented in all participating countries. There was discussion on how to analyze data collected from questionnaires completed by students and parents, as well as from food diaries kept by the students. The recruitment process for new participants for the 2025/26 school year is now open at all partner institutions.
"We started a year and a half ago," explained Professor Milena Raffi from the University of Bologna, the project coordinator. "In this school year, our educational protocols were followed by 463 students in 10 schools across 4 countries. We are very pleased with these results. We’ve received feedback from schools and students, and we continue to work on strengthening the protocols for the next school year."
DUSE at ICPESS congress May 23-25, 2025
On May 24, 2025, during the 33rd International Congress of Physical Education, Science and Sport – ICPESS, a roundtable discussion was held focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to education. The DUSE methodology was presented to an audience of about 50 people from various institutions across both European and non-European countries.
The presentation sparked great interest, particularly for its innovative approach that integrates physical education, mindful nutrition, and the active involvement of families in the educational process. During the discussion, participants asked questions about how the program is implemented in schools, strategies for engaging students, and the analysis of collected data. Several university professors and representatives from international educational organizations expressed interest in exploring the DUSE methodology further and assessing its potential for adaptation in their own local contexts.
This moment of dialogue represented an important opportunity for dissemination and exchange, helping to strengthen the international network of contacts and increase interest in the project beyond the partner countries.
DUSE at ICPESS congress May 31 - June 2 2024
The partners met in Komotini, Greece, at the Democritus University of Thrace. The meeting took place in conjunction with the »32nd International Congress of Physical Education, Science and Sport« in which a workshop was organized to present the DUSE project. Each partner presented the activities that will be proposed in the coming school years to prevent diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Various relevant topics were discussed, such as the importance of physical activity, methods for teaching physical education to children and healthy lifestyle: more than 50 representatives of schools and sports organizations participated in the event.
KICKOFF MEETING IN BOLOGNA
The first meeting of the DUSE project took place from 23 to 25 January 2024. DUSE will improve health prevention by creating specific programs based on nutrition and physical education for children and adolescents. The project is supported by the European Commission through the EU4H programme. The coordinator of the project is Professor Milena Raffi (University of Bologna). The consortium includes organizations with different profiles, in the fields of sport and academia.
“Our work will be aimed at raising awareness among young generations of the beneficial effects of regular physical exercise - explains Professor Milena Raffi - because type 2 diabetes is a preventable pathology in most cases ”.
“I am very satisfied – comments Andrea Meoni, technician in the "Laboratory of Neurophysiology of the Visual and Muscular System" of the University of Bologna. The project aims to promote the self-efficacy of young generations by making them able to incorporate good nutrition and the constant practice of sporting activity into their daily routine. All partners are enthusiastic and eager to work, I think the project will be a success" concludes Meoni.
A series of interesting visits were also included in the program, for example to the “Luigi Cattaneo” Anatomical Wax Museum: the participants had the opportunity to delve into the history of medicine and science at the University of Bologna.