Université Paris Cité is advancing planetary health through innovation

Image credit: ©2023. Eric LA - Messire Ouistiti - Tous droits rÉservÉs

Université Paris Cité plays a pivotal role in raising awareness of global issues, promoting democracy and harnessing innovative research to educate tomorrow’s citizens

Bold ambitions driven by optimism characterise Université Paris Cité’s new initiatives, supported by its president Édouard Kaminski. In 2024, Kaminski announced the university’s new focus for the next four years, encapsulated by its motto: “Planetary health: healthy people, in healthy societies, on a healthy planet”.

“This signature reflects our mission to be a social impact university, engaged to tackle the challenges facing the planet,” Kaminski says. “It underlines our interdisciplinary expertise, as a research-intensive university, in health, sciences and humanities.”

Despite an increasingly challenging and unstable world marked by tensions and conflicts, Kaminski is resolutely optimistic. “Université Paris Cité is open to the world,” he says. “Universities and research organisations must protect academic freedom and guarantee the quality of research and teaching,” Kaminski adds. “They must shed light on the challenges facing our societies, such as the climate crisis and the impact of rapid technological developments.”

Initiatives for planetary health

Université Paris Cité was built on a teaching and research ecosystem rooted in interdisciplinarity to achieve positive societal impact. The concept of planetary health encompasses the challenges of the modern era, including the well-being of humankind and the environment. The planetary health motto embodies a shared framework for the university’s three new faculties of health, sciences, and humanities, as well as the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris and the Institut Pasteur.

The planetary health campaign focuses on different aspects of global health, including psychology, sports and lifestyle. In line with the national spotlight on sport ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Université Paris Cité honoured its student athletes by organising a photo exhibition of 40 of its best athletes at its head office in Paris.

Showcasing impact through stories

Université Paris Cité is convinced that a positive and inspiring vision is the best way to influence the future. Mindful of the rise in anxiety among young people, particularly eco-anxiety, Université Paris Cité has a responsibility to reassure and provide hope to tomorrow’s citizens. The university strives to provide an academic foundation that will enable the younger generations to believe in, envision and achieve a better future.

Enlighten the Future is an institutional campaign launched by the university in June 2023 to highlight stories of innovation and excellence from its multidimensional campus. The campaign uses interviews, videos and events to showcase the cutting-edge research and entrepreneurial ventures led by members of the university community. These are shared on the university’s social media networks, website and other media channels.

“I am confident in Université Paris Cité’s ability to enlighten the world of tomorrow by strengthening the link between science and society,” says Kaminski. “Our community is fully committed to embracing the challenges of sustainable development and social responsibility going forward.”

Find out more about Université Paris Cité.