Margaret Talbot to Hold UNESCO Chair

The Institute of Technology Tralee (Ireland) and UNESCO have announced the appointment of Margaret Talbot as new UNESCO Chairholder.  

Under consideration of the ICSSPE President’s long lasting experience as a researcher and advocate with regards to matters of equity and inclusion in sport and physical education, Margaret’s mandate will include working together with various stakeholders and partners in order to advance the goals of the UNECSO Chair.

As Chairholder Margaret will seek to promote education, training and research for the sake of developing more inclusive and equal societies specifically with regard to and through physical education, sport, fitness and recreation. Themes and challenges the activities of the Chair address encompass healthy and active aging, inclusion and wellbeing. The projects implemented in Tralee extend across various disciplines such as education and training, adapted physical activity, social sciences, social entrepreneurship, pedagogy, assistive technologies, ICT, as well as policy and development work.

Following her appointment Margaret stated “It is rare that a UN agency and a higher education institute collaborate to establish a Chair and research team, to support research and development for the benefit of people with impairments. This opportunity is exciting and unique, and I am looking forward to meeting the talented team at Tralee, so that we may work together on an agenda, which will certainly require partnerships with other institutes and many international NGOs in the area of sport, physical activity and physical education. This work has great synergy with my roles as ICSSPE President and as Chair of the IPC Education Committee and I hope to develop these relationships to mutual benefit.”

In relation to the announcement, Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee, expressed that “IPC welcomes the establishment of the UNESCO Chair Position Transforming the Lives of People with Disabilities, their Families and Communities, through Physical Education, Sport, Recreation and Fitness".

The fact that Margaret has been appointed as UNESCO Chairholder underlines her credentials and expertise and complements her roles as Chair of the Education Committee of the International Paralympic Committee, and as Expert to the International Olympic Committee Commission on Culture and Education. Moreover it recognises the work ICSSPE has done within the last decades with regard to putting matters of inclusion, equity and diversity on the academic as well as sport-political agenda. In her function at IT Tralee Margaret will contribute to the advancement of these efforts.

Further information regarding the agreement can be obtained from http://www.ittralee.ie/en/Information.

In addition, check out a previous interview ICSSPE conducted with Catherine Carty, the Chair’s Project Manager: http://www.icsspe.org/content/catherine-carty-favour-more-inclusive-society.