Oastler goes green International Adolescent Health Week

The University of Huddersfield’s Oastler Building was recently lit up in a vivid shade of green to promote International Adolescent Health Week as part of the University’s UNESCO Chair ‘Global Health & Education’.

International Adolescent Health Week, this year held from 19 to 25 March, has been a global campaign since 2018 with a different theme each year that is chosen by a group of global Youth Ambassadors. 

In 2023 it is ‘With and For Adolescents: Building a Healthier and More Inclusive Future’, with the shade of lime green representing health, happiness, and the high energy and passion of young people. A team bedecked in lime green were raising awareness of IAHW in Student Central adjacent to the Oastler with information and flyers during the week in the run-up to the end of term.

The University is supporting these activities through its UNESCO Chair ‘Global Health & Education’. This UNESCO collaborating centre has a focus on the wellbeing of young people, especially through intersectoral working between health professionals and education professionals.  

“In 2023, the week has had even more significance due to the run-up to a major United Nations multi-agency event, heralded by the ‘1.8billion’ campaign',” says Dr Nicola Gray, Co-Chair of the UNESCO Chair GHE. “There are currently 1.8 billion young people aged 10-24 years on the planet, the highest ever number for this age group. It is a time to make these voices heard, and the UN is listening to what young people want for their future.”

There will be a global forum about adolescent wellbeing on 11-12 October, for which young people aged 16-24 can register their interest with the campaign through visiting the 1.8 billion website or access the 1.8billion WhatsApp Chatbot through the QR code pictured.