Mr. Didier Jourdan is a full Professor at the University of Clermont Auvergne (France). He is the Chair Holder of the UNESCO Chair “Global Health and Education” and Head of the WHO Collaborating Centre for “Research in Education and Health”. He drives international research and knowledge exchange to shape policy and practice in health and education worldwide. His research examines how health promotion interventions make a real difference—tackling health inequalities, unpacking implementation dynamics, enhancing professional practice, and confronting ethical dilemmas. He brings fresh insight and practical solutions to the toughest challenges at the intersection of policy and practice.
He has formerly held positions as Director of the National Higher Institute for Teaching and Education Clermont-Auvergne (Inspé), Head of the Centre for Lifelong Learning and Vice-President of Blaise Pascal University. He is the former Director of the Prevention and Health Promotion Division of Public Health France, where he was responsible for the implementation of national policies and support for regional policies on prevention, health education, risk reduction and health promotion. He also served as President of the “Prevention, Education and Health Promotion” Commission of the French High Council for Public Health. Professor Didier Jourdan holds the title of Officier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques, the highest national honour awarded in France for contributions to education.
Involved in the main international networks in the field of health promotion, health education and public health, Professor Jourdan plays an active role in the international collaborations centred on research in health promotion and health education. He is a Vice-President of the International Union of Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE).