The Global Health Programme’s director, Ilona Kickbusch, has been bestowed an honorary doctorate from the University of Girona for her work in the field of health promotion. The distinction was proposed by the Faculty of Nursing and presented to Professor Kickbusch by the University of Girona’s rector, Dr. Sergi Bonet, in a ceremony on 30 June 2015.
Professor Kickbusch is internationally recognized as one of the foremost leaders in the health promotion movement. Through her distinguished career with the World Health Organization she initiated the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (1986) in addition to founding the journal Health Promotion International, where she serves as Chair Emerita of the editorial board. She continues to engage in activities on health promotion and support the Health in All Policies and WHO Healthy Cities movements.
Academically, Professor Kickbusch has contributed greatly to the field of health promotion and continues to publish widely, with more than 200 articles in scientific journals and 24 specialized publications.
Speaking on her distinction from the University of Girona, Professor Kickbusch remarked: “I have been very honored today [and] I am particularly pleased because here is the first chair of health promotion in Spain, and that I can be associated with such an innovation.” She looks forward to having an interdisciplinary and participatory approach to health promotion and to working together towards Health in All Policies.
In addition to her formative work on health promotion, Professor Kickbusch is a leading expert on global governance for health and a pioneer in global health diplomacy. Under her directorship, the Global Health Programme has distinguished itself as an innovative centre for research, training, and capacity building on global health governance and diplomacy that is uniquely integrated into an institute of international relations and development.
Read more about Professor Kickbusch’s professional accomplishments and publications on her website and follow her latest updates on twitter @IlonaKickbusch.