ICN Chief Executive awarded Honorary Doctorate by Brunel University for global nursing leadership

Brunel University today conferred International Council of Nurses (ICN) CEO Howard Catton with an honorary Doctorate of Science in recognition of his exceptional contributions to nursing and education.

The oration for the ceremony celebrated Mr Catton as an “unwavering champion for the global nursing workforce, advocating for protection, investment and leadership for the profession, particularly during the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic”.

Brunel’s oration praised Mr Catton’s leadership throughout his nursing career, in particular commending his pivotal role advocating for and co-chairing both the first-ever World Health Organization (WHO) State of the World’s Nursing (SOWN) Report in 2020 and the second SOWN report released earlier this year. The university also recognized his efforts to establish ICN’s #NursesforPeace initiative, which provides urgent health and humanitarian support to nurses in conflict and disaster zones.

Mr Catton remarked:

“I am proud to accept this Honorary Doctorate not only as a great personal honour but also on behalf of ICN and the world’s 30 million nurses. This award pays tribute to nurses across the globe who work tirelessly to deliver health care to all who need it, often in extremely difficult circumstances.

‘Global uncertainty is intensifying while health and development funding diminishes, which threatens all of our world’s major health goals, including the achievement of Universal Health Coverage. The role of nurses is absolutely critical amid this instability. Nurses are the key to making health care accessible to all and to addressing our world’s greatest health challenges, from climate change and increasing conflicts and disasters to rising chronic diseases, aging populations, and growing mental health issues.

‘Through our advocacy and policy work, ICN works to support and enable nurses as leaders who respond to all of these demands, promoting climate and planetary health; delivering emergency and disaster care; nurturing peace; and transforming health systems to meet evolving needs. I believe nurses are always voted the most trusted profession in public opinion polls, and this is because they are true to their ethics in the face of all the challenges. The reality of nursing today is that is tough and takes courage but nurses’ strength and authority comes from their ethical foundation. ICN’s Code of Ethics is the bedrock that grounds our profession, giving us a powerful moral compass.

‘Yet despite their vital role, nurses are often not sufficiently recognized or valued. This year, ICN released two major reports that revealed unacceptable working conditions, inadequate compensation, and failures to protect nurses from workplace violence and attacks, but also pointed to clear solutions to invest in and protect nurses so that we can build the strong, sustainable nursing workforce we urgently need. Our shortage of 5.8 million nurses is a global health emergency, affecting the wellbeing of entire populations and societies: the time to act is now.

‘Today’s award is an important moment of recognition that celebrates the power of nursing. We must now seize the opportunity to enable nurses as the path to global health for all.”

Building on Mr Catton’s message, Brunel University’s Pro-Rector, Dr Shini Somara, emphasized the unifying power of science during challenging times:

“I completely echo Howard’s words upon receiving his honorary doctorate today. We are living in very uncertain times. But science, engineering, invention, ingenuity, technology and innovation can bring us all together. We can put our skills, talent, knowledge and the research we do here, and hope to do in the future, to good use. We can live in a positive world. We can come together. We can unite.”