International symposium “Holistic approach to health – a trend in the 21st century” was held online via Zoom, organized by vice-rector Vesna Bratovčić from the University of Tuzla. The symposium was also attended by guest students from Munich, Germany, where they were introduced with new methods and tools developed within various projects for a holistic approach to health, with an accent on persons with disabilities. 

Representatives of partner organizations from Croatia, Spain and Slovenia participated and presented their research results and insights. During the event, the #ErasmusPlus co-funded initiative #SMILE was presented to the audience as good practive by the Croatian partner in the project – Rijeka sports association for persons with disabilities.

Sport, Motivation, Inclusion, Leadership, Engagement – #SMILE project, co-funded by the #ErasmusPlus programme of the European Union and aiming to analyse the link between sport and inclusion in an innovative and different way – by ensuring international participation in sport activities of persons with intellectual disability and/or mental health challenges. SMILE actively contributes to increasing the integration of people with intellectual disabilities and their perception that EU rights are their rights as well. For example, our right as European citizens of moving and residing freely that is reflected in the commitment of the EU “to ensure that persons with disabilities have a real right to freedom of movement as others”. This was put into practice through the April 2023 international sporting event SMILE, which aimed to provide a sense of free movement and residence for participants with intellectual disabilities.