Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, commemorated in Serbia ever since its declaration by the United Nations in 1982.

The topic that gathers us – introducing health education into our schools, is a way to commemorate the date and an occasion to face prejudice through dialogue, opening up new perspectives through health edification.

General concern about the health of the young generations and the need for systematic solutions for health education in schools gave rise to the initiatives to introduce health education into elementary and high schools. The civilisational need for this type of education channeled the enthusiasts’ infinite energy to commence the process of melting the iceberg.

The good ideas of the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, with the support of international organisations, primarily UNICEF, initiated in previous years gave specific results and confirmed the experts’ efforts urging to define the key concept of education for health. This means that a young person should develop the awareness and knowledge of the risks he/she take. Let us mention some of them, for example: use of alcohol and narcotics, extreme behaviour in adolescence, early sexual activity, behaviour resulting in injury, physical inactivity, inadequate nutrition, unfortunately, these have the biggest impact on the youth in our society, and are earliest recognised in school. I expect that this concept would help them recognise the need to place personal health among the highest priorities in life.

The programme “Education for Health through Life Skills” endorsed by UNICEF and implemented by the RS Ministry of Education with the support of the RS Ministry of Health Expert Group on Youth Development and Health has been implemented by more than 20 schools from 2006 until now and has given significant results in the development of healthy living habits in children and youth. The fact that the youth was ready and open to join the health education programme, based on skills, with the support of parents and teachers, is encouraging.

As the Speaker of the National Assembly and Chair of the NARS Children’s Rights Working Group I wish to say that in August 2009 we adopted a new Law on the Basis of the System of Education and Upbringing which defines a clear legal framework for the inclusion of all children into schools, with an equal access right, without discrimination of any kind and acknowledging differences.

As a doctor I often come across changes in the mental health of young people caused also by insufficient information and awareness of all the possibilities for personal health protection. Children and young people mostly learn about social relations by sharing experiences and therefore adults, parents, doctors, teachers or just any citizens, should stimulate the development of healthy living habits by specific activities, respecting their rights, without which the progress of modern democratic society is impossible.

Possession of knowledge and resources, energy and enthusiasm to create the appropriate atmosphere and motivate educators, children and youth and then jointly implement that knowledge in practice, will help raise the general health culture in Serbia and that should be our realty and future more often.