Initial results from the European Network of Health Promoting Schools program on development of health education in Finland

The European Network of Health Promoting School (ENHPS) program aims to fos ter healthy lifestyles for school populations by developing supportive teac hing and learning environments conducive to promotion of health. Most Europ ean countries have joined the network since irs organization in 1993. This paper describes how the European, national, and local aims of the ENHPS pro gram have been realized in Finnish schools during the first year of the sec ond triennium (1997-1999). Substantial development related to health promot ion has occurred in the Finnish ENHPS schools, A safe school environment wa s emphasized, and networking with other schools was encouraged at the inter national and national levels. Attitudes toward the ENHPS program generally were positive. However, Finnish schools have emphasised developing "structu res" for health promotion. In the future, efforts should concentrate on stu dents' active participation in the activities of health promotion in everyd ay reaching and learning situations.