The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chairs’ Conference aims to bring together representatives from different organisations to discuss global challenges, exploring how universities can contribute to sustainable development through their research, education, and international partnerships. The event, organised with the Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS), drew representatives from many key organisations including:
- UNESCO and UNESCO Chairs
- Loughborough University
- UK National Commission for UNESCO
- HM Government
- Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
Several keynote guests highlighted the relevance of the conference, including Professor Christopher Smith, Executive Chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Council, and Keith Holmes, UNITWIN (University Twinning and Networking Programme) and UNESCO Chairs Programme Research Coordinator. Saniye Gülser Corat also delivered a recorded contribution as UNESCO's Director for Gender Equality.
Interactive workshops were available throughout the event, including the successful Women and Leadership workshop, which featured colleagues from Loughborough University London and the University’s Women in Sport Institute.
The event was an opportunity to celebrate and discuss several exciting projects and milestones including:
- UNESCO’s 80th anniversary
- The opening of the Charnwood Forest Geopark Information Hub, located in West Park opposite the STEMLab
- The launch of the International Centre of Excellence in Informatics and Disaster Resilience (ICEIDR) at Loughborough
Loughborough University is proud to host three UNESCO Chairs, joining University College London (UCL) as the two institutions with the highest number of academics involved in the programme. The University’s UNESCO Chairs are:
- Professor Mike Wilson, UNESCO Chair in Storytelling Education for Sustainability
- Professor Qiuhua Liang, UNESCO Chair in Informatics and Multi-hazard Risk Research
- Professor Richard Giulianotti, UNESCO Chair in Sport, Physical Activity and Education for Development
The success of the conference and the involvement of our three UNESCO Chairs both highlighted Loughborough’s growing international reputation and showcased the impact of our Chairs’ research and the engagement their work generates globally.
To read more about the innovative work that the UNESCO Chairs Programme does in partnership with other organisations, please visit their webpage.