Introduction

The purpose of the conference was to look into how local communities can enable and sustain public health programs. It focussed on the resources and structures that are needed such as partnership, capacity building and shared responsibility for public health. Special emphasis was to be put on the role of different sectors and key players and what support they think are needed at local level.

The conference was organised in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Social Security, the Public Health Institute of Iceland and the Directorate of Health in Iceland, with the support of an organising committee with representatives from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

Organising committee

Public Health – Shared Responsibility

By focusing on the theme “Public Health – Shared Responsibility”, it was being emphasized that public health challenges cannot be tackled effectively unless the entire community works together and seizes opportunities that can help enhance the health of its citizens. The purpose was to share the knowledge and experience needed for better understanding, and also to develop a framework for improving public health at local level. In recent years the need for intersectoral and interdisciplinary work has been recognised, as well as the need to develop strategies making this work sustainable. It was hoped that the conference would be an important link in facilitating this work. In addition, participants had an excellent opportunity to strengthen bonds and networking amongst colleagues in the Nordic countries, for example through the so-called adventure workshops, which offered exciting hands-on challenges!

Structure

The focus was on global as well as Nordic dimensions. Keynote speakers came from Canada as well as the Nordic countries. All presentations took place in plenum. On Monday morning the plenum session were followed by four parallel sessions and in the afternoon was the “adventure workshops”, where the conference moved beyond the confines of the conference rooms and the city itsel - to Thingvellir National Park.

On Tuesday there wer plenum sessions, workshops in between, and panel discussion in the afternoon.
The official language of the conference was English.
Posters were on display during the congress.

Venues

The conference extended from Sunday afternoon, October 9th, to Tuesday October 11th and was mostly held in Reykjavík, the capital city of Iceland, at Hotel Nordica´s conference centre, where there are modern and functional meeting rooms. Accommodation was also at the hotel, as well as at other hotels within walking distance.
The “Workshop Adventure” on Monday took place at Thingvellir National park. There, at the very birth-place of democracy in Iceland – some even say the world - and where the geographical boundaries between Europe and America dramatically meet, participants took an active part in shaping the outcome of the conference, while enjoying the magnificent nature. 
A “health promoting” part of the conference was a morning swim, from 7 to 8 a.m., at the Laugardalslaug swimming pool, close to Hotel Nordica. Icelandic culture and lifestyle includes going regularly to the local swimming pool – some go everyday, all year around - and the conference participants were invited to join in this custom. Houses in Iceland, as well as swimming pools, are generally heated by natural hot water pumped up from deep within the ground.