| Press Release: 25 October 2004
WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION
AWARD FOR ILLAWARRA
Healthy Cities Illawarra was recently awarded a World Health Organisation
(WHO) Western Pacific Regional Director’s ‘Outstanding Healthy
City Awards’ at the inaugural meeting of the International Alliance
for Healthy Cities in Kuching City, Malaysia.
The award was in recognition of its “track record in sustained
improvement in the overall quality of life of its citizens using the Healthy
Cities approach.” The award was presented to by Dr Shigeru Omi the
Regional Director for the World Health Organisation (WHO) to Healthy Cities
representatives Dr Pat Mowbray (President) and Kiama Mayor, Sandra McCarthy
(Board member).
Dr Mowbray stated that it “was a great honour to receive this award
as we are one of only three non- government Healthy City members of the
Alliance”.
More than forty cities from Australia, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Japan,
Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Republic of Korea and Vietnam
attended the Conference.
Dr Mowbray believes that the Healthy Cities approach has great appeal
for the rapidly growing cities of Asia. “ Many Asian cities are
doubling their populations every fifteen years. This massive and unprecedented
growth has brought about major problems in providing such services such
as health, infrastructure and employment. Environmental degradation is
also a major problem. Of the six WHO regions, the Western Pacific region
is also the most affected by natural disasters with over 11 million people
affected in 2003 by drought, floods and cyclones” Dr Mowbray said.
“I have the greatest admiration of how cites such as Hong Kong
and Kuching are coping with these problems” Dr Mowbray added.
Healthy Cities Illawarra was established in 1987 and is committed to
action which creates a social, economic and physical environment in the
Illawarra which is conducive to good health and well-being.
Manager for Healthy Cities Illawarra, Mr Frank Wallner said, “We
are thrilled to be recognised on the world stage by receiving this award.
Over the past 18 years we have had great support from many individuals
and organisations who have all made contributions to projects and programs
aimed at creating a Healthier Illawarra”.
Over the years Healthy Cities has coordinated regional Taskforces in
such diverse areas as child safety, aged health, transport, tobacco control,
HIV/AIDS prevention and nutrition. It has been instrumental in initiating
and coordinating projects across the health, welfare and environment areas
including:
- Mental health and the elderly project
- Breakfast programs for children from disadvantaged areas
- Campaigns for cleaner air
- Lobbying for improved public transport services
- Creating community food gardens at neighbourhood centres
- Child drowning prevention research and education project
- Establishing an Environmental Education Centre
- Creating a healing place at Lake Illawarra
- · Supporting Aboriginal health initiatives.
Healthy Cities Illawarra also supports the WHO accredited Safe Communities
program and was the first established Safe Community in the southern hemisphere.
“Working in partnership with the community, government and business
partners is essential to achieving a healthier city. We may not yet have
created a completely Healthy City but with the ongoing support of the
Illawarra community we will continue to advance the cause” Mr Wallner
said.
Media Contacts: Dr Pat Mowbray 02- 42841005
Frank Wallner 02- 4226 5000
0411 269 461
See the Healthy Cities website at http://www.healthycitiesill.org.au
Email: manager@healthycitiesill.org.au
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