9 Intra-urban network

The administrative network should also exchange information
on the encouragement of physical activity for children with all
the relevant institutions within the city. The participants (e. g.
kindergarten administration, school administration, associations
and sports clubs) should regularly exchange information
on strategies and targets (e.g. formalised by round tables) in
order to jointly develop new concepts and optimise existing
measures.

Networking for the promotion of physical activity among children
in a municipality should not be the task of the sports and health
sector alone. Cooperation among the various institutions and sectors
and their concerted action makes the promotion of physical
activity among children more effective and more efficient.

The development of networks is still a fairly new field that is hardly
being taught in formal vocational training. Networks should be developed
by local “network managers”. These should work on an
inter-sectoral basis, create trans-institutional connections and advance
the promotion of physical activity taking all relevant institutions
into consideration.

In the context of the promotion of physical activity among children
the following institutions should be combined in a network.

1. Municipal administration departments
(from Guideline 8)
2. Sports clubs
3. Sports associations
4. Commercial sport operators
5. Day-care facility agencies
6. Universities
7. Medical facilities
8. Health care institutions
9. Children’s and youth facilities
10.Health insurances

The network managers have the task of developing synergies, taking
the interests of the respective institutions into consideration.
The interfaces of the common interests are at the heart of the network
and ensure the activities of the individual institutions.

The big challenge in maintaining health through physical activity is
the integration of a variety of organisations and their sometimes
very different opinions and interests.

Building networks is one possibility to horizontally integrate the involved
institutions. In doing so existing concepts and programmes
of governmental organisations and sports associations should be
taken into consideration. They can positively influence the networks
and function as a vehicle for the network's output.

The round table as a starting point and basis

As a tried and tested method in the promotion of physical activity
on a municipal level a round table procedure can be recommended.
Here the sports department and health office could act as network
coordinators.

Best Practice Stuttgart (DE)

Round Table for physical activity promotion

In the frame of the EU-project ‘You need exercise!’ a round
table on the subject of promoting children’s physical activity
was initiated. All municipal departments as well as institutions
throughout the city dealing with the subject interchanged
already existing approaches and programmes.
Together they discuss how resources could be combined
and how cooperation could be more systematic to intergrate
more physical activity in children’s everyday life.
Together a programme for the kindergarten was desigend.