WHO/Europe’s Special Initiative on NCDs and Innovation (SNI), Université Côte d’Azur and Ulysseus European University invites you to apply to join an in-person 4-day summer-school course to explore systems thinking theory and applying systems-based methods and design thinking processes that can foster a human-centred approach to problem-solving and innovation for preventing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), promoting healthy aging and supporting healthy lifestyles across the life-course. Participants will be equipped with the tools and techniques to analyze data, identify patterns, and generate insights that drive the development of innovative solutions.

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.

The school will support participants in:

• understanding systems thinking theory, techniques and tools;
• acquiring the ability to identify and analyze key problems related to NCD prevention and healthy aging, ensuring that their solutions are rooted in user needs and aspirations;
• learning and applying design thinking principles to foster creativity, ideation and rapid prototyping of solutions;
• innovating to address challenges in NCD prevention and healthy aging;
• identifying common patterns in complex systems and how to mitigate them to implement policies and strategies more successfully;
• developing skills to transfer research into policy.

The training will take place on 16–19 July 2024 in Nice, France. The teaching language will be English. Certification will be provided. The application process will open on 11 December 2023 and close 29 February 2024.

Please note that only 30 participants will be selected and, due to the expected high number of applications, only selected applicants will be contacted.

Please submit your application here

Note: This article was amended on 5 January 2024 to correct the application closing date from 31 January 2024 to 29 February 2024.