The UNESCO Chairs from Switzerland met for an exchange in Berne under the leadership of the Swiss UNESCO Commission

UNESCO Chairs Switzerland

The Swiss Commission for UNESCO, headed by Prof Dr Thomas Zeltner, together with all the representatives from the various universities and colleges at the annual meeting in Berne. While Chair Holder Prof Uwe Pühse was abroad at a scientific conference, the UNESCO Chair of the University of Basel was represented by Nandi Joubert and Dr Ivan Müller. (Photo: Swiss Commission for UNESCO, Anna Lisa Beltrami)

The Swiss UNESCO Commission intensifies the coordination of the Swiss UNESCO Chairs within UNESCO - 2023 Meeting of the UNESCO Chairs in Switzerland

Under the chairmanship of Prof Thomas Zeltner, former Director of the Federal Office of Public Health and current President of the Swiss Commission for UNESCO, and Nicolas Mathieu, Secretary-General of the Swiss Commission for UNESCO, the activities of the respective UNESCO Chairs were presented to each other and, as an association of all UNESCO Chairs in Switzerland, a joint approach was discussed on how their position within UNESCO can be strengthened in the future and how they can receive appropriate visibility.

UNESCO bases its activities on intellectual cooperation and is therefore open to exchanges with academic institutions and research. The UNESCO Chairs commit themselves to go beyond the parameters of their subject area and to relate their work to global challenges. Present were representatives of the 10 currently recognised Swiss UNESCO Chairs from numerous universities and colleges. While Chair Holder Prof Uwe Pühse was abroad at a scientific conference, the UNESCO Chair of the University of Basel was represented by Nandi Joubert and Dr Ivan Müller. They presented the Uni Basel UNESCO Chair entitled: 'Review and Outlook: Physical Activity and Health in Educational Settings'. In addition, Dr Fabian Käser from the Swiss Commission for Research Partnerships with Developing Countries (KFPE) presented the 11 principles for cross-border and intercultural research in international partnerships.

It was concluded that an annual reunion and more intensive exchange between the Swiss Commission for UNESCO and UNESCO with headquarters in Paris should be sought in the future and that this is also in the interest of Switzerland's multilateral and -national research exchange. Its aim is to promote and strengthen international cooperation, especially North-South, South-South and North-South-South cooperation between universities, colleges and research institutions.