Loughborough University: Loughborough’s Professor Giulianotti appointed as University UNESCO Chair

Prof Giulianotti will now lead a team based primarily in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences to further advance knowledge and strengthen policy and practice in how sport, physical activity and education may be used most effectively for development purposes.

Launched by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) in 1992, there are now over 850 Chairs worldwide.

The Chair will work with UNESCO to harness sport, physical activity and education in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals, notably with respect to good health and wellbeing, quality education, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, reducing inequalities, and climate action.

More broadly, the Chair has the opportunity to engage with UNESCO and its diverse partners on developing policy and practice in relation to sport, physical activity and education. The team will also collaborate with fellow UNESCO Chairs in sport and other relevant fields.

“Sport, physical activity and education are vital aspects of modern societies throughout the world and are being utilised in creative ways for development purposes, particularly with young people in the global South,” commented Professor Giulianotti.

“The team at Loughborough University are committed to making a major contribution to this global field of activity, through research, teaching, partnerships with key stakeholders such as local communities and policy-makers, and international collaborations with fellow researchers and students.”