Prof. Monica Lounsbery from the University of California (USA) paid a visit to Lithuania

   

   On 10 – 14 October, Prof. Monica Lounsbery from the College of Health and Human Services at the University of California (USA) visited Lithuania at the invitation of Assoc. Prof.  Dr. Arūnas Emeljanovas and lecturer Brigita Miežienė (Lithuanian Sports University). For more than 20 years, the scientist has been working in the field of physical education and exploring physical activity promotion policies in the sector of children education and its implementation links with students' physical activity, an integral part of a healthy lifestyle.  The Professor, who has carried out more than 30 scientific studies, also advises the lawmakers of the state of Nevada on the issues related to physical activity promotion. 

   M. Lounsbery met with LSU students and scientists, Lithuanian PE teachers and the delegates from the institutions, responsible for health, education, physical training and sport. Improvement of policies on structured and organized physical activity of children in Lithuanian schools was discussed, and the Professor shared best experiences of her country. The academic communities of Latvian Academy of Sport Education and the University of Tartu could take part in the lectures and discussions remotely, as the lectures were broadcast live on the Internet.

   Prof. Dr. M. Lounsbery and the representatives of LSU lect. Brigita Miežienė and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arūnas Emeljanovas also visited Vilnius. In the Ministry of Education and Science, they met with the delegates of the institutions responsible for health promotion, education, physical training and sport: Vice-Minister of Education and Science Dr. Natalija Istomina as well as other representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, the representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Department of Physical Education and Health under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, Lithuanian children and youth centres and Lithuanian Centre for Non-Formal Youth Education. During the meeting, the Professor shared her experience on the aspects of physical activity promotion policy formation in the USA and told about the quality of health and physical education in schools. 

   The programme was implemented upon the receipt of the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation (BAFF) funding. For more information about BAFF scholarships and support for lecturers, visit www.balticamericanfreedomfoundation.org