in Egmond aan Zee, the Netherlands in September 2002. The key aims of the conference were to focus on effective partnership working for health in schools and to consider the evidence base for health promoting schools programmes. A significant outcome of the conference was the Egmond Agenda, which outlines the principal components for success in establishing health promoting schools.Contributors from across Europe, the United States, South Africa and Australia present findings from national health promoting school projects, with a particular emphasis on the promotion of mental health.The volume will be of interest to all education and health professionals interested in the contributions of schools in promoting health, empowerment, action competence and wellbeing of young people.