UK National Commission joins colleagues at Loughborough University at it holds its inaugural 'UNESCO Day'

The event, held on the East Midlands campus and organised by the Loughborough Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS) brought together researchers, students, policymakers, and leaders from the University, HM Government, and UNESCO itself to highlight the strong partnership between UNESCO and Loughborough University's Chairs:

• UNESCO Chair in Sport, Physical Activity and Education for Development, led by Professor Richard Giulianotti
• UNESCO Chair on Informatics and Multi-hazard Risk Research, led by Professor Qiuhua Liang
• UNESCO Chair in Storytelling Education for Sustainability, led by Professor Mike Wilson

The insightful event commenced with an opening address by Loughborough University Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Jennings, in which he said:

“The diversity of our UNESCO Chairs is testament to the vibrancy of our research culture and our varied Centres of Excellence right across the whole University. UNESCO fosters international collaboration that addresses some of our most pressing global challenges. Our own university strategy 'Creating Better Futures. Together' reflects the positive impact that we want to have on society and the planet, and the belief that by working together, we can achieve so much more.”

In the day’s preliminary panel session, Anne, James and Anna spoke on stage with the Director of Loughborough IAS, Professor Ksenia Chmutina, about the importance of collaboration between UNESCO and universities; emphasising the critical role UNESCO Chairs play influencing government and global policy. They also highlighted the 80th anniversary of UNESCO and expressed their hopes this would further raise the profile of Chairs’ work, noting that “others around the world want to hear what the UK is saying”.

Following this opening session, each of the lead Professors at Loughborough Universities three UNESCO Chairs came together for a panel conversation about the importance of being a UNESCO Chair, and what it means to them personally.

After lunch, the event was moderated by Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation Professor Dan Parsons. Here, each UNESCO Chair gave presentations about the range of research and work it undertakes and how this supports UNESCO's missions and global policy.

The event finished with concluding remarks by Anna Nsusbuga, UK Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO in which she honoured Loughborough University for its ongoing commitment to the UNESCO mission and its “visionary, forward-thinking approach to what academia is.”

Further information about Loughborough University Institute of Advanced Studies

Further information on UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks in the UK