Call for applications: Summer School in Public Health
- International
- Health
- Innovation
Published on October 23, 2025
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Updated on October 23, 2025
Dates
from October 17, 2025 to July 24, 2026
Registration is now open for the Summer School “Systems Thinking and Innovation for the Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and for Healthy Ageing in the WHO European Region,” organized by WHO/Europe, Université Côte d’Azur, and Ulysseus European University.
This summer school offers a unique opportunity to develop practical skills in systems thinking and to innovate in the field of public health.
This edition takes place in Nice, from July 21 to 24, 2026. Registration is open until November 21, 2025.
The summer school explores the theory and application of systems thinking and systems-based approaches to the complex challenges of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors. It aims to strengthen participants' skills in applying these methods to solve problems, innovate and translate knowledge into practical strategies for NCD prevention and healthy aging. Participants will benefit from interactive learning combining practical exercises and project work, with the opportunity to apply systems thinking to their own professional projects.
Dates : July 21 09:00 - July 24 14:00
Format : Face-to-face (30 participants), English language
Methods : Lectures, workshops and hands-on training based on real-life scenarios
Faculty: WHO and international experts in systems thinking, NCD prevention and control, healthy aging, public health innovation and multi-stakeholder engagement
- Identification of systemic archetypes and development of policy scenarios
- Applied systems thinking tools
- Creation of studies informed by systems thinking
- Practical training in the use of decision-making tools
- Innovation in public health
- Innovation ecosystems
Participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation and other expenses related to their stay in Nice.
Selection : a committee will review the applications, and successful candidates will be notified by December 17, 2025.
Criteria : professional relevance in the fields of public health, innovation, healthy aging, prevention of NCDs and their risk factors; academic background and experience; letter of motivation; potential for future collaboration.
How to register
Find out more about the Summer School
This edition takes place in Nice, from July 21 to 24, 2026. Registration is open until November 21, 2025.
The summer school explores the theory and application of systems thinking and systems-based approaches to the complex challenges of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors. It aims to strengthen participants' skills in applying these methods to solve problems, innovate and translate knowledge into practical strategies for NCD prevention and healthy aging. Participants will benefit from interactive learning combining practical exercises and project work, with the opportunity to apply systems thinking to their own professional projects.
Summer School objectives
At the end of the school, participants will be able to:- Understand the concepts, techniques and tools of systems thinking;
- Identify and analyze key issues related to NCD prevention and healthy aging, ensuring that solutions meet users' needs;
- Innovate to meet the challenges of NCD prevention and healthy aging;
- Identify recurring patterns in complex systems and mitigate them to implement more effective policies;
- Transfer research into public policy.
Target audience
This school is aimed at doctoral students, young professionals and mid-career professionals, including researchers, post-graduate students, healthcare practitioners and policy-makers, interested in the application of health research to public policy.in applying systems thinking to strengthen multi-sector collaboration and improve policy implementation through innovation.Practical information
Location : Nice, FranceDates : July 21 09:00 - July 24 14:00
Format : Face-to-face (30 participants), English language
Methods : Lectures, workshops and hands-on training based on real-life scenarios
Faculty: WHO and international experts in systems thinking, NCD prevention and control, healthy aging, public health innovation and multi-stakeholder engagement
Program
- Systems thinking concepts and methods for NCD prevention and control- Identification of systemic archetypes and development of policy scenarios
- Applied systems thinking tools
- Creation of studies informed by systems thinking
- Practical training in the use of decision-making tools
- Innovation in public health
- Innovation ecosystems
Financing
The Summer School is free of charge, including lunches, coffee breaks and a welcome dinner on July 22, 2026.Participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation and other expenses related to their stay in Nice.
Application process
Application deadline: November 21, 2025Selection : a committee will review the applications, and successful candidates will be notified by December 17, 2025.
Criteria : professional relevance in the fields of public health, innovation, healthy aging, prevention of NCDs and their risk factors; academic background and experience; letter of motivation; potential for future collaboration.
How to register
Find out more about the Summer School
