Global impact creation in occupational therapy education : addressing social justice and planetary health issues by student and staff (inter-)acting during our ZHAW International Mobility Days

As global challenges such as climate change, social inequities and migration increasingly impact health and well-being, occupational therapy education must evolve to equip students with the necessary competencies to address these pressing issues (Wilcock & Hocking, 2015). The International Mobility Days at ZHAW, a three-day intensive program, provide an innovative platform for integrating planetary health and social action addressing social inclusion and health equity into occupational therapy curricula. Through experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and engagement with international peers, students explore how environmental and social determinants shape occupational participation, inclusion and equity (World Federation of Occupational Therapists [WFOT], 2018). The program fosters critical reflection on sustainable practices and the role of occupational therapists in advocating for and enacting environmental justice and health equity. This presentation will highlight key pedagogical strategies, student experiences, and the broader implications of embedding such mobility initiatives into occupational therapy education. By sharing insights from this initiative, we aim to inspire higher education institutions to incorporate global and ecological perspectives into their curricula, ensuring that future occupational therapists are prepared to address the intersection of human occupation, social justice, and planetary well-being (Gerlach et al 2018).