UNESCO’s global mission celebrated at Loughborough University event

Photo of the UNESCO Chairs, senior staff from Loughborough, and representatives of UNESCO UK stood together on a stage smiling at the camera

Last week, Loughborough University hosted a special event to celebrate UNESCO’s global mission, bringing together researchers, students, policymakers, and leaders from the University, the UK National Commission for UNESCO, HM Government, and UNESCO itself.

The event, held on the East Midlands campus and organised by the Institute of Advanced Studies, showcased the work of three UNESCO Chairs based at the University and highlighted the strong partnership between UNESCO and its Chairs – an initiative established in 1992 that connects higher education institutions worldwide with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. These Chairs provide expert insight that helps shape UNESCO’s strategy and global policy development. 

Loughborough University now holds more Chairs than any other UK university, with three distinguished professors leading the way: 

Dr Ksenia Chmutina sat with the three Loughborough UNESCO Chairs as part of a panel event on stagePictured (from L-R): Professor Chmutina, Professor Liang, Professor Wilson and Professor Giulianotti

Throughout the day, attendees were able to learn more about the work of UNESCO and the three Chairs through various panels hosted by Professor Ksenia Chmutina, Director of the Institute of Advanced Studies and Professor Dan Parsons, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation. 

Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Jennings 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. Closer to home, this approach also means there are a number of exciting links with our own University strategy, Creating Better Futures Together. Our strategy 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.” 

The event also featured notable attendees including Anna L Nsubuga, Ambassador and UK Permanent Delegate to UNESCO; James Bridge, Chief Executive and Secretary-General, UK National Commission for UNESCO; and Anne Anderson, Chair of the UK National Commission for UNESCO.  

UNESCO UK representatives sat on chairs on a stage speaking with Professor ChmutinaPictured (from L-R): Professor Chmutina with Anne Anderson, James Bridge, and Anna L Nsubuga

In the day’s preliminary session, they spoke on stage with Professor Chmutina about the importance of collaboration between UNESCO and universities – emphasising the critical role UNESCO Chairs play in 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”.  

The Ambassador also provided closing remarks to the event in which she honoured Loughborough University for its ongoing commitment to the UNESCO mission and its “visionary, forward-thinking approach to what academia is.”  

The National Commission is a part of the UK’s membership of UNESCO, operating as an independent, not-for-profit organisation with grant funding provided by the UK government. Their work is embedded in UNESCO’s worldwide goal to build lasting peace through the ‘intellectual and moral solidarity of humankind’, enshrined in UNESCO’s founding Constitution from 1945.