Answer given by Mr Navracsics on behalf of the Commission
28.9.2017
The Commission acknowledges the need to work across sectors to address the challenges of physical activity and healthy lifestyles.
The European Week of Sport and the network of national health-enhancing physical activity focal points offer opportunities for strengthening such cooperation. In this context, the seminar on healthy lifestyles in September 2017 constitutes a key event.
Many activities are ongoing across the different policy fields. The Commission launched a task force[1] including several Directorate Generals that examines how digital technology transforms citizen's health and announced[2] a communication to explore, inter alia, the role of digital health in promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing chronic diseases.
Moreover, the Commission continues to support cycling as part of its policy to make transport more sustainable including through the European Mobility Week campaign and also the EU Strategy on Nutrition, Overweight and Obesity-related Health Issues[3] promotes active lifestyles.
The Commission recognises the contribution of sport to the employability of young people and the important role of coaches in society. As agreed in the EU Work Plan for Sport 2017-2020[4], the Estonian Presidency is preparing Council Conclusions on the role of sport coaches in society; and the Commission will set up an expert group on skills and human resources development in sport.
The Sport chapter of the Erasmus+ Programme[5] also supports the mobility of coaches of non-profit sport organisations and promotes education in and through sport with special focus on skills development.