Call for applications
The Special Initiative on Noncommunicable Diseases and Innovation (SNI) of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, the Université Côte d’Azur and Ulysseus European University have opened a call for applications for the 2025 Summer school: Systems thinking and innovation for the prevention of noncommunicable diseases (NCD) and a healthy ageing population in the WHO European Region. Systems thinking and systems-based approaches have the potential to support the development of more coherent and synergistic policies to tackle NCDs and NCD risk factors throughout the life course. The aim of the summer school is to explore systems thinking theory, develop capacity and expertise to use systems-based methods for problem solving and innovation, and drive progress through the practical application of these methods.
The school will support participants to:
- understand systems thinking theory, techniques and tools;
- acquire the ability to identify and analyse key problems related to NCD prevention and healthy ageing, ensuring that their solutions are rooted in user needs and aspirations;
- innovate to address challenges in NCD prevention and healthy ageing;
- identify common patterns in complex systems and ways to mitigate them to implement policies and strategies more effectively; and
- develop skills to transform research into policy.
The summer school is designed for PhD students, early and mid-career professionals, including researchers, postgraduate students, health practitioners and policy-makers interested in applying systems thinking and systems-based approaches to advance evidence-based policies, strengthen multisectoral collaboration, and improve policy implementation through innovation.
Course information
- Location: Nice, France
- Date: 15 July 2025 09:00 to 18 July 2025 14:00
- Delivery: In-person (30 participants), English language
- Methods: Keynote presentations, lectures, workshops and practical training using real-life scenarios
- Faculty: WHO experts and leading international experts in systems thinking, NCD prevention and control, healthy ageing, public health innovation and multistakeholder engagement
- Qualification: A certificate of participation will be provided
Curriculum
The curriculum is currently being finalised, but will cover topics that include:
- systems-thinking concepts and methods for NCD prevention and control
- identifying systems archetypes and developing policy scenarios
- systems thinking tools in practice
- creating systems thinking-informed studies
- practical training on the use of decision-making tools
- policy innovation in public health
- innovation ecosystems
The Systems thinking for noncommunicable disease prevention policy guidance will be used to provide direction - see related links.
Financial information
The summer school will be provided free of charge, and will include complimentary lunch and coffee breaks throughout the session, and a welcome dinner on 15 July 2025.
Applicants will need to cover their own travel expenses, accommodation and any other costs related to their stay in Nice.
Application process
You are invited to submit your application here by 24 January 2025 - see related links.
Applications will be reviewed by a selection panel, with successful applicants informed by 21 February 2025.
Selection criteria
The panel will consider criteria such as professional relevance of the summer school, education, experience, personal statement, and potential for future collaboration.
Background
In the WHO European Region, over 85% of premature deaths are caused by NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases. Supporting populations to adopt healthy behaviours such as a healthy diet, regular physical activity and avoiding tobacco and alcohol use over the life course can support progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
Systems thinking recognizes that NCDs are part of a complex system consisting of individuals, public institutions and the private sector that are constantly interacting and changing in response to each other and their context. Systems thinking and systems-based methods offer a range of tools for understanding system behaviour and identifying patterns, interdependencies, and unintended consequences from NCD policies and strategies, and how they influence the quality of health systems, as well as the quality of life and well-being of individuals. Despite its benefits, systems thinking approaches are not widely used in the Region. Therefore, it is necessary to build capacity and develop thorough understanding of how systems thinking theories and methods can be effectively integrated into both policy processes and practical applications for NCD prevention and the promotion of healthy ageing across the life course.