University hosts UNESCO event to create lifelong health learning pathways
Education, health and social care professionals gathered with young leaders at the University of Huddersfield as part of a special event to create lifelong health learning pathways for Kirklees.
The University hosted the two-day roundtable as the UNESCO Chair for Global Health and Education which it shares with the University of Clermont Auvergne in France.
Dr Nicola Gray, Reader in Medicines and Health at Huddersfield who is renowned for her work on adolescent health, and Professor Didier Jourdan, a global expert in the field of school health promotion at Clermont Auvergne, are co-chair holders.
The event was held to share details of the work already done by the UNESCO Chair for Global Health and Education in Clermont-Ferrand, as well as to explore the experience of stakeholders from the UNESCO Learning Cities of Kirklees, Clermont-Ferrand and Cork, and other partner organisations - with the ultimate goal of designing a lifelong health learning pathway project in the district.
Dr Gray, who is also International Association for Adolescent Health (IAAH) Vice-President for Europe, commented: “It’s really exciting to see experienced professionals and young leaders working together at this event towards a common aim. Creating relevant pathways can only happen if the voices of children and young people are sought out, heard and acted upon. Many of the causes of poor health are beyond our individual behaviours – improving our neighbourhoods and promoting a good education are the best things we can pass on to the next generation of Kirklees residents.”
Professor Jourdan, who founded the UNESCO Chair for Global Health and Education in 2018, commented: “We are proud to bring our experience from our project in Clermont-Ferrand and other areas in France to the Kirklees team. We have found that teachers are identifying many opportunities in their everyday practices to highlight health and well-being issues. If we support children, young people and their families with high-quality information about well-being, it’s a long-term investment for healthy ageing that will benefit our communities for years to come.”
Day one of the event included sessions on what is being done in UNESCO Learning Cities, a deep dive into Kirklees to understand the area and a tour of the University’s new National Health Innovation Campus.
On the second day, Eureka! The National Children’s Museum in Halifax shared its experience as a health information resource for children and families. This led into a co-creation workshop about the possible content and operation of lifelong health learning pathways in Kirklees, drawing on a diverse range of in-person and online resources from schools and colleges, clubs and associations, and everyday learning that occurs within families.
Young leaders from Kirklees College created a collage collection entitled See the Bigger Picture, reflecting their wish for information that could promote well-being, including how to access health-related services and how to manage financial worries, a major source of stress. Young people feeling ‘seen’ and ‘accepted’ is vital to the pathways’ success.
The final session was an open hybrid meeting enabling stakeholders from the University of Huddersfield and beyond to find out more about the UNESCO Chair for Global Health and Education and the learning pathway development project in Kirklees. Mr Raúl Valdés-Cotera, Chief Programme Coordinator of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), addressed the audience from Paris, and praised Kirklees for its commitment to lifelong learning.
The event took place at the University of Huddersfield’s campus on Queensgate on 23-24 April 2025.
What is a UNESCO Chair?
A UNESCO Chair is a collaborating centre that produces and shares knowledge to support institutions and professionals in their work, based on the strategies of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
The Chair relating to Global Health and Education was founded in 2018 by Professor Didier Jourdan at the University of Clermont Auvergne in France. The University of Huddersfield and Dr Gray joined in 2022 through her role as the Vice-President for Europe of the IAAH.
Its ambition is to create a network with the aim of building a global community to promote the development of policies and practices in the field of education and health.
All images courtesy of UNESCO Chair for Global Health and Education/Niamh Steeles/Milly Dennison