YEARBOOK 2000 - Closing Remarks

In the closing remarks of the analysis evaluating the activities of the member towns of the Hungarian Association of Healthy Cities in the year 2000 we find it important to emphasise that the evaluation was not motivated by the intention to compare the efficiency, number or other characteristics of the local projects in the member towns, and thereby generate some kind of 'unhealthy' competition. The intention governing our work was much rather to get a coherent picture on the nation-wide operation of the association, about its potential weaknesses and strengths. At the same time we hoped to grab this opportunity to point out the main criteria which allow the staff involved in the local programmes to evaluate their own activities and position, either in the context of specific actions, or in the account they make of their activities during the whole year.

At the same time, the results achieved so far will mean a perceptible help in the near future already, in the planning and implementation of the work of the association, as the development and organisation of training programmes and methods of technical assistance reacting to problem areas are in progress. The findings also help the association in setting the priorities for the coming year(s) and in the formulation, and the recommendation of related tasks, while the member towns can rely on them for assistance in the effective performance of these tasks.

An additional aspect which makes the completed work even more important is that research of this kind and the use of such evaluating methods have not yet been in the practice of other Hungarian associations to the best of our knowledge, and it can therefore, be considered as a model. However, the evaluating system is still in its pilot phase, as mentioned in the introduction, and the experiences gained with this analysis will also contribute to its further development. It is important all the more, because the evaluation explored areas which require further and more elaborate research, in order to assist successful operation in the future both at local and national levels. At the same time, this survey of tangible results allows the proper presentation of the work performed by the Hungarian Association of Healthy Cities and its member towns, together with the results, to the international forums of the association as well.