About
AHPUN was formed in 2015 at the International Conference on Health Promoting universities and Colleges in Canada.
Representatives from Australian Universities attended the conference, and developed the Okanagan Charter. The international charter was co-designed by students, researchers, practitioners, administrators and policymakers from 45 countries. The charter commits to champion health promotion action both locally and globally. It aims to embed health into all aspects of higher education campus culture.
The Okanagan Charter has two calls to action:
- To embed health into all aspects of campus culture, across the administration operations and academic mandates
- To lead health promotion action and collaboration locally and globally.
The International Health Promoting Campuses Network (IHPCN) is the cornerstone of international efforts to advance the Okanagan Charter aims. Comprised of 15 international networks (of which AHPUN is one) the IHPCN fosters development of higher education networks and initiatives worldwide.
How we make a difference
Twenty-nine Australian universities are registered with AHPUN in a mutually supportive collaboration. All registered universities have a common goal to:
- Develop healthier university campuses and communities
- Improve the health and wellbeing of more than one million students and over 100,000 staff members.
Similar networks are active internationally in the UK, New Zealand, Germany, and Iberoamerica.
Background papers and relevant publications can be found here.
Priorities
- Development of an evidence-based framework for an Australian Health Promoting Universities Model
- Foster sustainable partnerships to embed health promotion as core business of higher education in Australia
- Improve the health and wellbeing of our university community members
- Contribute to Australian Federal and State Health goals and aims.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.