EUNAAPA End Conference
Introduction
The final conference of the EUNAAPA project was organized in Verona, Italy from 20 to 21 June 2008. The conference was announced at the project website and at a special conference website. Online registration and abstract/poster submission was possible through the conference website. Participants to the conference were all project members and experts from the field of physical activity and ageing (in general scientists, professionals and policy makers).
In total 124 persons attended the end conference (including speakers) of which 84 were registered and paying participants. Forty-two abstract were submitted and 34 poster presentations related to physical activity and aging were held during the conference.
Satisfaction of visitors with the organisation of the conference
At the end of the EUNAAPA End Conference a short questionnaire was distributed to all participants. In total 44 participants participated in this questionnaire. Most of them were scientists (75%), followed by professionals/providers (31%) and policy makers (9%). Most were working on the regional level (57%).
Most participants were informed on the conference through the EUNAAPA project or contact with an EUNAAPA partner. Main reasons for attending were the content of the conference and networking (68 and 65% respectfully), followed by the speakers and the EUNAAPA project (both 19%). Most participants were satisfied with the practical aspects of the organisation, especially during the conference, as can be seen from table 8.
Table 1: mean scores on evaluation of aspects of the End Conference*
|
Online registration |
3.6 |
|
Abstract submission |
4.0 |
|
Conference materials |
3.8 |
|
Pre conference information (flyer, website) |
2.7 |
|
Hotel bookings information |
3.7 |
|
Conference website |
3.3 |
|
Welcome reception |
4.2 |
|
Conference facilities |
4.2 |
|
Conference location |
4.3 |
|
Food + beverages |
4.3 |
|
Conference staff |
4.4 |
|
Audiovisual aspects |
4.3 |
|
Social programme |
4.5 |
* likert scale: range 1-5 (1=very dissatisfied, 3=neutral, 5=very satisfied)
Considering the contents of the conference, participants were asked to rate their satisfaction with all the sessions. In table 2 these results are presented. As can be seen, all sessions were rated between neutral and very interesting. With three exceptions, all sessions were attended by 60% of the participants or more.
Table 2: mean scores on evaluation of sessions of the End Conference*
|
|
Evaluation |
Attendence (%) |
|
Tutorial lecture Bauman |
4.7 |
80 |
|
Tutorial lecture Chodzko-Zaijko |
4.6 |
77 |
|
EUNAAPA results WP6 |
4.3 |
75 |
|
Interactive workshop: exploring the issues |
4.2 |
77 |
|
Interactive workshop: messages for best practice |
4.0 |
70 |
|
EUNAAPA results WP7 |
3.9 |
48 |
|
EUNAAPA results WP4 |
3.9 |
75 |
|
Round table: need for guidelines |
3.8 |
70 |
|
Poster session II |
3.8 |
59 |
|
Special event: practical workout |
3.8 |
23 |
|
EUNAAPA results WP5 |
3.7 |
77 |
|
Poster session I |
3.7 |
43 |
|
Round table: need for change |
3.6 |
77 |
|
Plenary discussion EUNAAPA results |
3.6 |
63 |
* likert scale: range 1-5 (1=very interesting, 3=neutral, 5=very uninteresting)
More then half (56%) of the participants indicated that the conference had only partly succeeded in its aim to have a dialogue between policy and research. Main problem in this was the lack of attendance from policymakers. Less then half (44%) indicated the conference would have an influence on their daily work mainly through new contacts made and the results of EUNAAPA (expecially new programmes and strategies). Those who indicated it would not have an impact argued that the gap between policy and research was still there or that they did not hear new insights. Of those who were not already a member 90% indicated they would like to join the network.
In the questionnaire on impact of EUNAAPA (November 2008) some questions were asked about the conference. Around 22% of respondents (stakeholders) indicated to be familiar with the Verona conference.