The halls of the National School of Public Health at NOVA University of Lisbon (NOVA NSPH) were filled with new languages and curiosity, as 13 young people from different countries visited the campus where future public health leaders are trained.
The programme, held on 16 July, began with a welcome session led by Cristina Godinho, a lecturer at NOVA NSPH. She encouraged participants to introduce themselves and share some of their health habits, as well as to reflect on the determinants that influence population well-being. This was followed by a dialogue on key public health issues, fostering a dynamic and participatory discussion.
The initiative also included the collaboration of the NOVA NSPH Students’ Association (AEENSP NOVA), which presented student life and the sense of community that defines the School. Afterwards, the young participants took part in a Healthy Peddy Paper, which led them through various areas of the campus.
Following a coffee break, the group gathered in the School’s outdoor garden, where they took part in an interactive quiz on climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In a relaxed atmosphere, and divided into two teams, participants enthusiastically engaged in an activity that combined fun with thoughtful reflection on major global health challenges.
The SummerSchool NOVA programme is an initiative of NOVA University of Lisbon that aims to provide secondary school students with an immersive experience within the NOVA community, promoting learning, exchange, and exposure to various scientific fields.
At NOVA NSPH, the morning was marked by energy, sharing, and a renewed certainty: inspiring young people to engage with public health is also an investment in the future.
