Magnús Scheving was recently awarded the Nordic Public Health Prize in 2004. Which is called in Icelandic: Norrænu lyðheilsu verðlaunin 2004 and in Swedish: Nordiska folkhälsopriset 2004.
He receives the prize for LazyTown and thus for his contribution to improving public health in the Nordic countries. The prize is awarded by the Nordic University of Public Health in Gothenburg on behalf of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The prize, which is SEK 50,000, has been awarded since 1989.
Jón Kristjánsson, Minister of Health and Social Security, presented the award at a ceremony in Egilsstaðir, according to a press release, which marks the beginning of the annual meeting of the Nordic Ministers of Health and Social Affairs.
“The Nordic Public Health Prize is awarded to an individual, organization or organization that has contributed to improving public health in the Nordic countries. This means that the person has contributed through his initiative and work to have a positive effect on our way of life in a spiritual or physical way” says the press release. The person who wins the prize has had this decisive and important effect either in their own country, which could thus be emulated by others, or in the entire Nordic region.
The jury’s reasoning for the choice states that the obesity problem among Nordic children is increasing year by year. In the Latibær project, children are encouraged to cultivate a healthy lifestyle by combining play and education, and thus children’s eyes have been opened to the interplay between lifestyle and health. The project places great emphasis on physical exercise and a healthy diet, and the creator of Latibær, Magnús Scheving, has made an innovative effort to improve the health of children. That’s why he won the Nordic Public Health Prize this year.
“For ten years, Magnús Scheving has given many thousands of lectures for children and young people, and with his work and interest he has both drawn attention to the need to cultivate a healthy lifestyle and impressed young people and those who are older to exercise. He has always strived and emphasized working on a professionally recognized basis and e.g. sought out a workshop for experts to ensure this” he added.
Morgunblaðið – 223rd issue, Page 2 – August 18, 2004
Magnús Scheving wins the Nordic Public Health Prize
(Norrænu lyðheilsu verðlaunin 2004)
(Nordiska folkhälsopriset 2004)
Promotes a healthier life for children
“It’s always nice to receive an award” said Magnús Scheving after receiving the Nordic Public Health Award at Egilsstaðir yesterday. He receives the award for his contribution to improving public health in the Nordic countries with the establishment of Latibær. The Minister of Health, Jón Kristjánsson, presented him with the award in the presence of the Nordic Ministers of Health and Social Affairs, who began their annual consultation meeting yesterday.
Magnús said it was nice to notice what was well done. The award came at a good time and made it easier for them to continue on the same path. It will certainly not be bad to receive the prize from the Nordic countries when the Latibær policy was brought to those countries. It is possible that next year they will participate in ‘a year of children’s movements’ in the Scandinavian countries, with the broadcasting of the LazyTown episodes and the distribution of the Energy Book.
“When you look at Magnús’ career, there is one thing that characterizes all his work: it is the will to do good; it is the respect for the project, for the idea; it is the respect for the children, that he has achieved so well” said Jón Kristjánsson in his speech on this occasion.
“Lazytown is going to go all over the place” says Magnús in a conversation with Morgunblaðið. Twenty episodes will be completed before the end of the year, and then there will probably be a tour of LazyTown Live Shows on stage around the United States. It will be featured at all Paramount theme parks and books will be published. This is how it will continue and the aim is to get LazyTown to Germany and Canada.”
“This is just the beginning” he says, adding that it helps a lot to have great staff to support him.
Ministers practiced
At the end of the award ceremony, Magnús did a few push-ups. He said he was doing it to prove to the audience that it worked. He went to the hall, and the ministers and others stood in Hótel Hérað and practiced together for a while.
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