In our previous episodes with representatives from the University of Toronto’s UNICEF group and York University’s MUN president, we talked about the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and how schools can help to encourage awareness of and participation in the pursuit of these goals. Discouragingly, the 2020 UNICEF Report Card states that “Overall, Canada ranks 30th in child wellbeing among 38 of the world’s richest countries. The Report Card tells us that Canada’s children are worlds apart from each other due to wide inequalities, and worlds apart from the happiest, healthiest children in rich countries. If the Report Card ranking was a school grade, it would not be posted on the fridge.” Obviously, change is needed in the ways youth health and wellbeing are approached, here and around the world.

In this episode’s conversation with representatives from Physical and Health Education Canada, we take a broad look at the current state of youth health, as represented by the quantitative and qualitative data gathered by the organization in partnership with public health and education groups around the country. We discuss the work that PHE Canada is doing to achieve their vision of ensuring that ALL children and youth in Canada lead active, healthy lives, and dive deeper into the cultural and educational contexts that inform this process.

Some topics and resources to listen for and take further:

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• PHE Canada
  
• Exploring Physical Education in Canada
  
• UN Sustainable Development Goals
  
• 2020 UNICEF Report Card for Canada
  
• 7 Sacred Teachings (Indigenous Guide to Community Relations)
  
• Emotional Well-Being Education Activities
  
• Check out the PHE Canada’s Teaching Tools & Learning Centre to gain access to practical and fun physical and health education activities for Kindergarten to Grade 12.
  
• PHE Journal: Your central hub for all things related to physical and health education. Dive into featured articles, stay up to date with relevant research, and enjoy insightful podcasts covering a variety of topics to support the teaching of quality physical and health.
  

If you haven’t listened to our last episode click here