The 2026 FISU World Forum, hosted at Mid Sweden University from the 24th to the 28th August, brought together students, university sport professionals and Healthy Campus representatives from around the world to explore the theme Active Body, Healthy Mind: How Impactful Sport Can Be at Universities.

Opening the Forum’s programme on Healthy Campus: The Key for Wellbeing and Excellence, Michelle delivered a keynote entitled How do we create environments where people really can thrive?

Drawing on Trinity’s experience of developing the Healthy Trinity initiative and achieving Platinum Certification through the FISU Healthy Campus programme, Michelle challenged universities to move beyond responding to health and wellbeing issues after they arise and instead consider how the university environment itself can help people to thrive.

“We spend too much time rescuing people downstream,” was one of the central messages of the keynote, which explored some of the challenges facing today’s university communities, including anxiety, loneliness, digital overload, physical inactivity and disconnection.

Michelle highlighted the importance of moving further upstream by embedding health and wellbeing across university culture, policies, environments and everyday experiences.

“At Trinity College, and it should be the case everywhere, Healthy Campus isn’t a department, it’s an ecosystem,” Michelle told delegates.

The keynote showcased Trinity’s experience of putting this philosophy into practice through collaboration across the University and initiatives designed to support physical, mental and social wellbeing.

Among the programmes highlighted was Mind Body Boost, Trinity Sport’s six week programme combining physical activity with practical approaches to mindfulness, stress management and wellbeing, while providing opportunities for students to connect with others and build a sense of belonging.

Michelle also emphasised that creating a healthy campus cannot be the responsibility of one department or service. Sustainable change requires leadership, institutional commitment and collaboration across the entire university community. Trinity has achieved Platinum status through the FISU Healthy Campus programme, the highest level of certification available.

Speaking following the Forum, Michelle said the opportunity to share Trinity’s experience internationally reflected the collective work taking place across the University:

“Being invited to deliver the keynote at the FISU World Forum was a wonderful opportunity to share what we have learned through Healthy Trinity, but importantly, this is a story about collaboration. The progress we have made has been possible because colleagues from across Trinity have embraced the idea that creating a healthier campus is a shared responsibility.

“I was incredibly proud to represent Trinity and to showcase the work of colleagues who contribute to this agenda every day.”

“The message I wanted delegates to take away is that we need to be proactive. Rather than waiting until people are struggling and responding downstream, universities have an opportunity to create environments, cultures and communities that support people to thrive from the outset.”

The FISU World Forum provides an international meeting point for students, university sport officials, Healthy Campus representatives and professionals, bringing the global university sport community together to exchange knowledge and consider the future role of sport and physical activity within higher education.

The 2026 Forum focused on three key areas: Healthy Campus and its role in wellbeing and excellence, dual career friendly universities, and the role of university sport events in driving inclusivity and good governance.

As Michelle’s keynote emphasised, ambition extends beyond any individual programme or initiative: a healthy campus is not owned by one department. It is created by everyone.