UNESCO and Loughborough Unite to Promote Global Peace and Education

In a meaningful demonstration of support for UNESCO’s global mission, Loughborough University recently convened a distinguished event at its East Midlands campus, organised by the Institute of Advanced Studies. This celebratory gathering welcomed a broad spectrum of attendees, including researchers, students, policymakers, and representatives from UNESCO, HM Government, the UK National Commission for UNESCO, and the University itself, thereby fostering dialogue across institutional boundaries.

Central to the event was a showcase of research and initiatives spearheaded by Loughborough’s three UNESCO Chairs, illustrating the University's steadfast commitment to the values of education, innovation, and inclusive engagement. Notably, the Chairs programme, launched in 1992, serves as a bridge between global universities and UNESCO in pursuit of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. These Chairs not only contribute high-level expertise to global policy development but also reinforce the role of academia in addressing international challenges.

Loughborough’s leadership in this field was further highlighted by its distinction of hosting more UNESCO Chairs than any other UK university. The three Chairs are led by Professor Mike Wilson (Storytelling Education for Sustainability), Professor Qiuhua Liang (Informatics and Multi-hazard Risk Research), and Professor Richard Giulianotti (Sport, Physical Activity and Education for Development), each contributing uniquely to UNESCO’s priorities. Throughout the event, participants engaged with panel discussions moderated by Professor Ksenia Chmutina, Director of the Institute of Advanced Studies, and Professor Dan Parsons, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, which offered valuable insight into the Chairs’ work and broader UNESCO initiatives.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Jennings emphasised that the diversity of Loughborough’s UNESCO Chairs reflects its dynamic research culture and robust Centres of Excellence. He further noted that UNESCO’s collaborative approach strongly aligns with the University’s institutional strategy, Creating Better Futures Together, which advocates collective action for societal and environmental impact. Adding gravitas to the occasion, prominent figures such as Anna L Nsubuga (UK Permanent Delegate to UNESCO), James Bridge (Chief Executive of the UK National Commission for UNESCO), and Anne Anderson (Chair of the Commission) joined the opening session to affirm the significance of academic collaboration in UNESCO’s mission. They also marked the organisation’s 80th anniversary, using the opportunity to spotlight the growing international interest in the UK’s role in UNESCO-led initiatives.

In her closing remarks, Ambassador Nsubuga lauded Loughborough for its “visionary, forward-thinking approach to what academia is,” while the UK National Commission for UNESCO reaffirmed its dedication to advancing peace and solidarity through knowledge, principles enshrined in UNESCO’s founding Constitution of 1945. This event celebrated shared values and also reinforced Loughborough’s pivotal role in shaping global education and policy through active academic engagement.

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