Javier Molina and Isaac Estevan, professors in the Department of Didactics of Musical, Plastic and Body Expression at the University of Valencia (UV), and Ana Queralt, professor in the Department of Nursing, are part of the Iberoamerican Network of Researchers in Active Travel, Health and Sustainability (RIIDAS), an organisation of the Iberoamerican Postgraduate University Association (AUIP) recently presented and of which the Valencian institution is part.

The purpose of RIIDAS is to promote the coordination of Ibero-American researchers who address and study active displacement in young people and adults, as a form of sustainability. It also promotes the social and individual development of people, improves active lifestyles and promotes healthy habits.

Queralt, Molina and Estevan are part of the research group in Physical Activity and Health Promotion (AFIPS) of the UV, and Molina is the coordinator of the network in the Valencian institution. The official presentation of the network took place on October 28 and the University of Valencia is an associated institution.

The presentation of the network, of a virtual nature, was attended by different participants from Latin American universities corresponding to 8 countries (Spain, Portugal, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico). A total of 20 universities and 29 components officially participate in the network. The professor of the University of Granada, Palma Chillón, is the general coordinator of the network together with a management team made up of members from other countries.

In a first phase of development of the network, its website is being created with the aim of showing the several projects of investigation of the different members, relevant publications, resources and instruments of investigation and, collaborations in progress. Also, in the future, the aim is to develop international projects applicable to the Ibero-American context and even organise scientific dissemination events, such as conferences and seminars, as well as to promote research stays between members of the different academic institutions that form the network.

Annex: First RIIDAS meeting. 

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