Translating the Okanagan charter for practice in Aotearoa New Zealand tertiary education settings

Abstract

This translation guide is designed as a tool for health promoters, policy makers, health and safety staff, cultural and student support staff, student bodies and management in tertiary institutions to assist with understanding and applying the 2015 international Okanagan Charter

http://internationalhealthycampuses2015.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2016/01/Okanagan-Charter-January13v2.pdf

on campuses in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Okanagan Charter makes a valuable contribution to health promotion practice in higher education settings, with its set of guiding principles and priority actions. This includes Aotearoa New Zealand, where the Charter’s principles and calls to action can be applied to national tertiary needs and approaches. Māori wellbeing frameworks, Te Pae Mahutonga and Te Whare Tapa Whā, comfortably sit alongside the Okanagan Charter. The Okanagan Charter is viewed as a useful and flexible framework to further develop strategic planning, coordination and integration in tertiary settings.

This guide provides a practical guide for how to translate the Okanagan Charter ‘Calls to Action’ into practice for tertiary education settings in Aotearoa New Zealand, reflecting its unique settings, knowledge and populations. Its purpose is to support the implementation of health promotion activities and assist the integration of wellbeing into campus initiatives, policies and teaching practices, to assist in reducing inequalities and preventing ill health.

The purpose of this translation guide is to raise awareness and inspire action aligned with the Okanagan Charter and its Calls to Action within higher education settings in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is hoped that it will be a resource for tertiary institutions, as a source of information and vision to assist with efforts to develop health promoting campuses in Aotearoa New Zealand, leading to health promotion action and collaborations locally and globally.