Prof Harry Rutter to speak today at WHO Europe summer school on systems thinking and innovation

This in-person four-day summer school course will explore systems thinking theory and applying systems-based methods and design thinking processes.

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Published on Tuesday 15 July 2025
Last updated on Tuesday 15 July 2025
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Professor Harry Rutter smiling — Professor Rutter is an expert on public health and Co-Director of the Centre for 21st Century Public Health

The Centre for 21st Century Public Health (C21PH) is delighted to announce that Professor Harry Rutter, Co-Director of the Centre, will be speaking today at the opening of the 2025 WHO Europe Summer School: Systems Thinking and Innovation for the Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases and a Healthy Ageing Population, taking place this week in Nice, France (15–18 July 2025).

A globally recognised leader in systems thinking, Professor Rutter brings decades of experience working at the intersection of public health research, policy, and practice. He is a frequent speaker at international events on the role of systems-based approaches in addressing complex public health issues and has helped shape global discussions on how systems thinking can foster innovation and more cohesive strategies for noncommunicable disease (NCD) prevention.

This prestigious summer school — jointly hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, Université Côte d’Azur, and Ulysseus European University — brings together 30 competitively selected participants from across the WHO European Region. The programme focuses on equipping the next generation of public health leaders with the skills to apply systems thinking to some of today’s most pressing public health challenges, including the rising burden of NCDs and the demands of an ageing population.

Speaking ahead of his session, Professor Rutter said:

I’m delighted to be here in Nice among such a talented and diverse group of participants. This gathering offers a unique opportunity to explore how systems thinking can be applied in real-world settings to bring about meaningful improvements in public health across the region.

I’m looking forward to the discussions and collaborations in the days ahead. It’s inspiring to see the next generation of public health leaders engaging with these approaches — their potential to create lasting change is huge.

The C21PH is proud to support and contribute to this vital work, championing innovative approaches that shape the future of public health in Europe and beyond, while nurturing emerging leaders in the field.