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The importance of protecting our society\u2019s health and well-being became starkly apparent during the pandemic. People\u2019s physical\u00a0and mental health<\/a>\u00a0were severely impacted by the sudden\u00a0changes forced by the emergent<\/a>\u00a0global crisis.<\/p>\n Although nations reacted quickly at the onset, coming back from the pandemic has been difficult. Overlapping crises including the renewed urgency of the\u00a0Black Lives Matter movement to address systemic racism, and the climate emergency, serve as a clarion call<\/a>\u00a0to prioritize the well-being of the planet, its people and its species.<\/p>\n We need now to move from reaction and intervention\u00a0to health promotion<\/a>.<\/p>\n Universities are uniquely positioned to lead in that work given that higher education can be a\u00a0catalyst for societal change<\/a>.<\/p>\n Although global movements and organizations are dedicated to supporting universities\u2019 work in health promotion, and many universities have committed to doing so, our research indicates that campuses\u00a0struggle to promote health in a meaningful way<\/a>.<\/p>\n The movement to see universities promoting health was initially\u00a0championed by the UK Healthy Universities Network<\/a>. But it has since been promoted by many other\u00a0national and pan-national networks<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Okanagan Charter is a framework that emphasizes the role campuses can play in leading health promotion, meaning \u201cengaging all sectors to take an explicit stance in favour of health, equity, social justice and sustainability<\/a>\u00a0for all, while recognizing that the well-being of people, places and the planet are interdependent.\u201d<\/p>\n The framework was developed at the\u00a02015 International Conference on Health Promoting Universities and Colleges<\/a>\u00a0held in Kelowna, B.C.<\/p>\n It built upon\u00a0earlier charters<\/a>\u00a0including\u00a0a 1986 charter<\/a>\u00a0forged by the World Health Organization (WHO).<\/p>\n The Okanagan Charter calls for embedding health into all aspects of campus culture and leading health promotion action and collaboration. It offers institutions \u201ca\u00a0common language, principles, and framework to become health and well-being promoting campuses<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Principles include engaging the participation of students as well as staff, faculty, administrators and other decision-makers, building on strengths and valuing local\u00a0and Indigenous communities\u2019 contexts and priorities<\/a>. \u201cThe charter reflects the work of individuals from over 45 countries into an aspirational document for universities to guide their well-being work,\u201d said Rebecca Kennedy of UAB. <\/p>\n Learn more about the Okanagan Charter, here: https:\/\/t.co\/vfuBE0P84E<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/e09l74duS6<\/a><\/p>\n — Campus Rec Mag (@CampusRecMag) June 14, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Health promotion in universities<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Health in all aspects of campus culture<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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