ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes the Soros foundation's health education program (HEP) role in the transformation process in post-communist countries. It examines the prescriptive ideas that have helped to change the health behaviour of teachers and students in post-communist countries so that other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can recognize the key issues they might face in implementation of such a program. The goal of the HEP was: to teach basic health education, to introduce elementary and secondary school teachers and health professionals to innovative ways to instruct their students in health education and to assist in the transformation of the fundamental process of educational methodology. The Soros staff in the United States trained them in all areas of the program: administration, budget, organisation, and curriculum. The HEP felt that it was very important to address the concept that civic responsibility is part of one's responsibility in an open society. Although NGOs have re-emerged in Central and Eastern Europe, certain challenges still confront them.
