Pre-conference: The Policy Toolbox: tools for policy engagement in public health (TOOL)

Tuesday 11 November, 09:00 – 17:00 Helsinki time
(with network lunch at 12:30)

Organised by

EUPHAnxt, EUPHA Public health politics and policy section, EUPHA Public health economics sectin and EUPHA Public health epidemiology section. Co-organised by EuroNet, Sciensano

Background

Public health practitioners increasingly face complex, "wicked" problems—multifaceted issues involving multiple stakeholders with often conflicting interests. Addressing these challenges requires timely communication of scientific findings to the right decision-makers to support evidence-informed policymaking. However, while robust scientific data is essential, most scientists lack formal training in effectively conveying their research to policymakers, creating a gap between evidence generation and policy impact. Whether the issue is climate change, AMR, tackling systematic inequalities in health systems, chronic disease and the commercial determinants of health, or global health security during political instability, scientists need to be prepared, now more than ever, with the tools and capacity to translate their evidence into knowledge for decision-makers.

The objective of this pre-conference is to equip public health professionals with practical and useful resources to engage with decision-makers and translate scientific findings into actionable steps.

Starting the day with basic understanding of the policy cycle and knowledge transfer concepts, the stage is set for a number of hands-on activities investigating different communication strategies designed for policy influence. Participants will engage in practical activities such as drafting policy briefs, and framing messages. They will also have the opportunity to learn directly from experienced advocates and policymakers who will share real-world insights and best practices.

Target audience

Researchers, early career professionals, and  public health experts who want to enhance their ability to meaningfully influence policy through evidence-based methods.

Objectives

• Get familiar with the policy ecosystem and policy cycle
• Understand the difference between academic and policy communication.
• Define knowledge translation, the KT framework, and understand tools available to strengthen knowledge translation for public health interventions
• Understand the steps in writing policy briefs and have practiced writing a policy brief
• Learn from real-world experiences shared by advocacy experts and policymakers.

Speakers

• Jinane Ghattas, Scientist and Project Manager, Cancer Centre, Sciensano, Belgium; EUPHAnxt co-coordinator
• Marie Delnord, Head of Implementation, Monitoring, Evaluation (IME) unit, Cancer Centre, Sciensano, Belgium
• Marleen Bekker, Associate Professor of Health Policy and Politics, Wageningen University & Research, The Netherlands
• Shailly Gupta, Senior Communications Advisor Médecins Sans Frontières | Doctors Without Borders
• Paolo Parente, Director of the Office for Primary and Intermediate Care, Lazio Regional Health System,  Adjunct Professor of Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy
• Gabrielle Schittecatte, Scientist, Cancer Centre,Sciensano, Belgium
• Ricardo Mexia, Epidemiology Department, National Health Institute Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Portugal

Programme

Registration

The registration fee is EUR 160. Networking lunch and refreshments are included.