WHO/Europe and the University of Bordeaux are gearing up for the second edition of the WHO European Public Health Leadership Course, designed to strengthen public health professionals' leadership competencies. The second iteration of the Leadership Course has been co-developed with the University of Bordeaux, specifically its School of Public Health (ISPED) and the graduate programme on Digital Public Health (DPH), in collaboration with the Bordeaux Population Health Research Centre of the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) and the Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI) of Maastricht University.
About the Leadership Course
Inspired by the WHO European Programme of Work 2020–2025 – "United Action for Better Health in Europe", and the Regional Director's vision of leaving no one behind, WHO/Europe identified the need to support Member States in their efforts to strengthen their public health leadership capacities.
In 2022, the WHO Athens Office on Quality of Care and Patient Safety collaborated with the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), to co-develop the first-ever European Public Health Leadership Course. The main aim of the course was to support and strengthen the capacity of future leaders in public health from selected Member States in the WHO European Region.
This year's Leadership Course will take place from November 13 to November 24, 2023. The first week will be conducted virtually, while the second will take place in-person in Bordeaux, France, at the premises of ISPED/University of Bordeaux. An online learning platform will be available throughout the Leadership Course, providing participants with access to the first weeks' modules, course materials, lectures and quizzes, and a discussion forum to facilitate the exchange of ideas and information.
The course will feature public health experts with various backgrounds and perspectives who will share their experiences, successful strategies, and innovative solutions to address public health challenges. Participants will acquire the necessary tools to advance the public health agenda through specialized personal development workshops and coaching sessions.
Why a course on public health leadership?
In May 2023, the COVID-19 pandemic ceased to be a public health emergency of international concern. However, health systems have not come out of the pandemic unscathed and now need to strengthen their preparedness and resilience for the next health crisis.
In addition to communicable diseases, countries globally and specifically in the WHO European Region face multifaceted public health challenges: climate change, urbanization, socioeconomic turbulence, noncommunicable diseases, mental and behavioural health risks, misinformation, inequalities, and an exhausted health and care workforce.
To address these public health challenges effectively and sustainably, countries must identify their underlying causes – from biological mechanisms to societal organization – and invest in informed public health leadership. This entails making decisions and acting based on updated evidence while upholding personal and professional ethics and values.
Who is the Leadership Course for?
The Leadership Course is designed for and tailored to public health professionals, and professionals working in public health organizations and public health-related fields, in the public sector or non-profit organizations.
This second iteration will include approximately 50 participants, nominated by Member States, as well participants selected by the hosting institution ISPED/University of Bordeaux. Upon completion of the Leadership Course, participants will receive a certificate from the organizing institutions.