The exchange forum "From University to University" is an association of ten Thuringian universities and the Studierendenwerk Thüringen. What significance does the network have for the promotion of health at universities?
As the name suggests, the exchange forum is primarily about exchange, i.e. learning from each other, strengthening each other and thinking together about current challenges. The focus is on measures for healthy employees and students as well as the creation of health-promoting structures and framework conditions.
Every university has its own health management system and its own ways of implementing it. It is precisely the exchange of different approaches and perspectives that makes the forum so valuable. We are currently dealing with many issues, including rising sickness rates and absences, stress levels, neurodiversity, dealing with existing crises, heat protection, etc., to name just a few.
What has the network already achieved in this area since it was founded in 2017?
When the project was launched, there were only a few universities in Thuringia that had addressed the topic of health promotion and recognized and implemented this as an essential prerequisite for healthy working and study conditions. In the meantime, each of these universities has initiated health-promoting measures and/or established a health management system. I think this is a result of the network. With three representatives of university management, we also have members in the forum who see health as a strategic field of action - that motivates us to work together.
The forum also developed a joint code for healthy universities in Thuringia, a guideline for the development of health promotion strategies and impulses for shaping a healthy university. As the representative of the Thuringian State Presidents’ Conference (TLPK) in the State Health Conference, we also succeeded in focusing on students as a target group. With the further development of the project, students were also included as a target group and the participatory idea was further implemented.
To what extent do the Thuringian universities benefit from cooperation in the network?
One of the greatest benefits of the network is the competition-free exchange. The members of the network confirm this time and again. Learning from and with each other, exchanging experiences and reporting on what works and what doesn’t work is extremely valuable. There are also regular working meetings, thematic working groups and expert input on health issues that affect the universities.
For example, we have a sub-working group for managers. This is where managers from all’universities meet to discuss the topic of "healthy leadership". The idea behind this is, on the one hand, cross-university exchange and networking and, on the other hand, to win over managers as health multipliers who carry the topic into their university.
Last year, a joint digital "Mental Health Week" was also offered around Mental Health Day for interested universities. As this was an online offer, members of the Thuringian universities were able to participate easily. Another offer is the annual conference, from which all member universities benefit.
The 5th symposium of the exchange forum, which has just ended, focused on the question of how health and sustainability can be shaped together. Why is it so important to think about these seemingly separate topics together and address them across universities?
The two topics of "health and sustainability" could hardly be more topical and relevant. Two topics that appear different at first glance are in fact closely interwoven. Health and sustainability influence and depend on each other - both in an individual and social context.
Sustainability does not only mean protecting the environment and conserving resources. It also means creating structures that promote well-being in the long term. Because only in a healthy environment can we remain healthy as human beings. The same applies: only those who are healthy can act sustainably in the long term.
At universities in particular, we have a dual responsibility: on the one hand, we have the task of creating a healthy and conducive learning and working environment. On the other hand, we must use education and research to enable the next generation to develop sustainable solutions to global challenges.
TU Ilmenau has also anchored the topic of sustainability in its strategic development goals and would like to actively contribute to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations with a variety of measures on the way to becoming a "Sustainable Community". However, sustainable change requires not only (university) policy measures, but also changes in awareness and behavior on the part of each and every individual. Prof. Müller, Vice President for International Affairs and Transfer at TU Ilmenau, said during the panel discussion at the conference: "The topic of sustainability must be in people’s minds so that it can be lived." One workshop at the symposium therefore also dealt with the so-called Inner Development Goals. What exactly does that mean?
The idea of the IDGs infected me from the very first moment. The sustainability goals can only be achieved if everyone takes responsibility for their actions, and we need to be aware of our actions. The IDGs work with five categories - "Being, Thinking, Relationship, Cooperation, Action" for self-assessment and personal development. The tool can be used in a variety of ways: individually, in teams and at different levels. And it is based on a participative approach. I believe that a lot can be achieved by "talking and thinking together".
