The Okanagan Charter is a document that was published in 2015. It was produced in collaboration of many universities who convened in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada for the International Conference on Health Promoting Universities and Colleges to discuss what makes a health promoting university. This is the result. In Aotearoa, we have used this charter as a base for our own interpretation of what it means to be a health promoting university.
The Charter can be viewed here.
This report by Thursdays in Black is an investigation into student experiences of sexual violence prior to and during tertiary education in New Zealand. It includes statistics regarding the prevalence of sexual assault, an examination of the flaws in the current sexuality education at secondary school and tertiary level (particularly surrounding consent), and several urgent calls to action.
The report can be viewed here and the results of their sexual violence survey can be found here.
This academic paper was written by two of our executive members, Craig Waterworth and Anna Thorpe. Published in 2017, it can be viewed in the Journal of the Australia and New Zealand Student Services Association. It outlines how the Okanagan Charter could be implemented in the New Zealand context. Abstract is below.
Abstract: In 2015 the International Conference on Health Promoting Universities and Colleges was held in the Okanagan, Canada. At this conference, a new international charter focusing on health promotion in tertiary education was ratified. The Okanagan Charter was developed with input from 45 countries,including Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. The Okanagan Charter builds on existing charters and declarations to apply health, wellbeing and sustainability to tertiary settings. This paper outlines how the Okanagan Charter relates to health promotion approaches that are used in Aotearoa New Zealand in higher (tertiary) education for the benefit of students, staff and stakeholders. The principles and action areas of the Okanagan Charter are discussed in their application to health promotion practice in the higher education setting of Aotearoa New Zealand.
This report is from the University of Brighton and focuses on wellbeing within higher education, " incorporating scholarly articles, case studies of practical interventions and personal reflections. It is designed to be an accessible and thought provoking resource, with reflections on theory and practice from a range of perspectives." It includes perspectives of wellbeing, wellbeing enhancement, and wellbeing in academic culture and research student learning.
Full report available here
"A Strategic Primer on College Student Mental Health explains why mental health is such a critical component for students to be successful at learning... The primer highlights several college and university campuses that have programs that address mental health issues from a variety of angles, including peer counseling, peer coaching and behavioral intervention teams."
Full report available here
This resource assists employers to make their workplaces healthy by encouraging supportive environment and policies and promote physical activity, healthy eating, smoke-free environments and mental wellbeing.
Full report available here
This article explores the concept of a ‘positive university’, through classroom and formal learning environments, social environments, local community and external organisations, faculty and administration work environments and residential environments.
Full article available here
