Sanitas and the Jane Goodall Institute, through their collaboration agreement, have managed to involve more than 4,000 young people in activities that promote environmental health and sustainability. In this way, the two entities have reached a significant milestone in their mission to raise awareness among new generations about the importance of taking care of the health of the planet and people.
«The collaboration between both organizations has been fundamental to promote and disseminate the concept of ‘One Health’, which recognizes an intrinsic interconnection between human health, animal health and environmental health. By joining forces, we have managed to amplify this message by underlining that, to protect and improve our own health, we must also take care of the natural environment and all species,” said Yolanda Erburu, Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer at Sanitas and Bupa Europe & LatinAmerica. .
Specifically, during the last year, Sanitas has joined a new edition of the Jane Goodall Institute’s “Roots and Shoots” program, actively participating in the organization of a total of 100 educational workshops in schools throughout Spain. These workshops, which have been carried out both in person and virtually, have reached 47 schools and institutes, impacting a total of 4,480 people, of which 4,265 are students between 9 and 15 years old.
Healthy and sustainable habits
Under the title “Healthy planet, healthy people”, these seminars focus on the importance of adopting healthy and sustainable habits from an early age. In this way, the little ones have been able to learn about the main environmental challenges such as climate change, the loss of biodiversity and pollution. Likewise, they have been able to reflect on how their daily actions influence the health of the planet and their own thanks to the teachings of environmental specialists and Sanitas doctors.
According to Silvia Mérida Expósito, psychologist at Blua de Sanitas, “involving children in caring for the environment and connecting with nature from an early age has significant benefits for their emotional and social development, among others. Fostering respect and empathy towards nature not only improves their social skills, but also reinforces their sense of belonging and self-confidence as they see the positive impact of their actions. Furthermore, contact with natural environments provides them with tools for emotional regulation and contributes to their psychological well-being.”
In addition to the workshops in schools, two “urban Ecofaris” have been held in Madrid and Seville, with the participation of approximately 80 people. These activities, open to adults and children, were part of Sanitas’ Healthy Cities initiative and allowed attendees to learn about urban biodiversity, its importance for our health and enjoy nature in a respectful way. The “Ecosafaris” were held in the Parque de María Luisa in Seville and in the Parque del Retiro in Madrid, under the direction of specialized educators from the Jane Goodall Institute. During the activity, attendees also completed the 6,000 daily steps promoted by Sanitas’ Healthy Cities challenge. They learned about how major environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution affect their own city, its flora and fauna. Held in large urban parks in Madrid and Seville, they have offered adults and children a space to reflect on how their daily actions influence the health of the planet and their own.
«This alliance represents a significant step in the promotion of comprehensive health and sustainability, reflecting the commitment of both organizations to the future of the planet and to the training and awareness of new generations. If we do not teach the little ones to respect their environment, it will be impossible to contribute to a healthier future for everyone,” concluded Erburu.
#Roots #Shoots #Health #education
