Macro Political Aspects
of Social Security Systems
April 22 - 26, 2013
(course venue GIZ centre Mannheim)
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Cooperation
This course runs in Cooperation of GIZ (German International Cooperation), evaPlan International Public Health Consult and the Institute of Public Health. GIZ sponsors a group of south East Asian participants.
Content Oveview
- The relation between policy and health. Implications of national and international political and economic decisions for social security systems.
- Quantify the overall health sector: national (health) accounts and burden of disease
- Introduction to national (health) accounts and health sector reforms.
- The concepts of gender mainstreaming and affirmative action related to reforms in the social security system.
- Aspects of good governance for social security system (accountability, transparency)
- Corruption and anticorruption strategies
- Principles of reform concepts in a comparative perspective (related to the environment in participant’s countries)
- Problems and reforms of welfare states in a comparative perspection
Learning Objectives
The advancement of social security and social security systems worldwide raises a demand for training and qualification for technical and management staff, so that they can initiate and manage the processes of change in their own countries.
The objective of this course is to provide participants with the ability to understand the far-reaching implications of national and international political and economic decisions for social security systems and their consequences on individual and societal level. The concepts of gender mainstreaming and affirmative action are understood and can be related to reforms in the social security system. The participants have understood some quantitative instruments to measure the burden of disease and the flow of funds in a system. They are sensitised to political and macroeconomic reform possibilities and can critically analyse the situations in their own countries. They have learned about the principles of good governance and the many facets of corruption and ways to tackle it.
At the end of the course participants should be able to:
1. Critically discuss why social security can be viewed as an important instrument to stimulate economic development
Specific objectives
1.1 analyse health and economic growth
1.2 understand the principles of national health accounts to understand the flow of funds in the health care sector
1.3 determine burden of disease and critique of DALY as an tool to assess this burden and base allocation decision on it
2. Critically discuss the theories and concepts of corruption
Specific objectives
2.1 define how to measure corruption
2.2 formulate anticorruption strategies
2.3 debate / discuss corruption in health care and public-private partnerships
2.4 discuss principles of reform concepts related to the environment in their own country
3. Describe and explain the development problems and reforms of welfare states in a comparative perspective
Specific objectives
3.1 describe the problems of reforming policies
3.2 outline the legislation and social policy in the context of the European integration
3.3 critical discussion on why the reforms fail
Learning Methods
The course is composed of individual teaching units (25h), facilitated group work (10h) and self-directed learning (10h).
The individual teaching sessions will introduce the underlying issues that lead to reform needs and in the same time remain obstacles to reform, using the German case. During the lecture sessions the students will learn the basic concepts and theory of corruption. The 4 key terms in reform will be presented.
During the facilitated group work, the students will read core texts and case studies and will make an empirical analysis. The participants will prepare group presentations focused on cases in their own country.
Through self directed learning, the students will be able to gain more knowledge from the required reading materials of the course, to systematize and go in depth of the already presented and discussed material. During this time they will be able to prepare their written case study reports.
Each session has specific objectives and short key readings that are included in the course reader. Further reading, which are not mandatory, are suggested and made available.
Assessment Procedures
Course participants are expected to attend teaching sessions and actively participate in class discussions and group work. Assessment of participants’ achievement of the learning objectives will be determined as follows:
- 70 % individual final written report (up to 2000 words).
- 30% group oral presentation of case study
The levels of expected performance for the evaluation of the written case report and the oral group presentation will be made available to participants. They are in line with the expected course outcomes.
Duration / Accreditation
- 1 weeks / 45 hours ( 25h direct contact, 10h group work, 10h self study);
- Full time attendance required.
- 1,5 ECTS (tropEd Master in International Health.)
Course Venue
The course venue for this course is the InWent Learning Centre in Mannheim.
Target Group and Prerequisites
- The course is open to professionals in the health sector holding a higher academic degree MSc first degree, or Postgraduate course in Public or International Health or related fields.
- Candidates are expected to have at least two years of professional experience in the sector of social and /or health insurance, or planning to work at the national level in a developing country on topics, mentioned under contents
- The course is held in English. Fluency in English (Reading, Speaking, Writing) required.
Course Fee and Registration
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Course Fee
- General Admittance € 750,-;
- tropEd students € 500,-.
Please register as soon as possible as the number of participants is limited.
A non-refundable registration fee of € 200, which will be credited towards the tuition fee, is due no later than 8 weeks prior to the start of the course. The remaining tuition fee is due not later than 6 weeks prior to the start of the course. Unfortunately, no Scholarships are available. If the participant withdraws from the course
- less than 6 weeks prior: 25 % of the course fee will be charged.
- less than 4 weeks prior: 50 % of the course fee will be charged.
- less than 2 weeks prior: the whole course fee will be charged.
The tuition fee covers coursework and printed materials and a bi-weekly pass for the Heidelberg public transportation system, but does not include accommodation, insurance or other personal living costs during the stay.
Contact for Registrations
Dr. Svetla Loukanova
Course Coordinator
evaplan GmbH am Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg
Fon: +49 (0) 6221 1382317
Fax: +49 (0) 6221 1382320
svetla.loukanova(at)urz.uni-heidelberg.de
tropEd Coordinator
Dr. Pauline Grys
Institute of Public Health
grys@uni-heidelberg.de