Description
The main objective of the project is to increase bilateral mobility of academic and educational staff between the Institute of Public Health and Medial Law, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and the Bergen University College. Project outcomes will include mobility activities (two seminars and two workshops in Bergen and Prague), and the preparation of a common manuscript for submission to peer-reviewed scientific journal as well as popular publications in national media. During these activities participants from both sides will have possibility to increase their skills and competences, to share best practices with colleagues and different stakeholders and to get inspiration for future cooperation. We expect that this project will become the background for development of long-term partnership in the field of health education and research with wide perspectives for further cooperation between the Czech Republic and Norway.
Summary of project results
The project realization was carried out according to the initial plan. The topics of common interest for both partners included health policies, mental health, alcohol consumption in both countries in view of political changes during last decades, migrants health etc. Except partner institutions the collaboration took place with the Institute of Health Information and Statistics, Prague, Government Office of the Czech Republic, Czech University of Life Sciences etc. As result, one manuscript was submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. The number of participants of mobilities and, consequently, expenses on travel, subsistence and project management were changed during the project: from the Czech side three key experts participated in both mobilities instead of 5 staff members in total. From the Norwegian side one participant had to cancel the participation in the first mobility to Prague due to sudden severe illness. Otherwise the use of the budget was according to the initial plan. The target groups of the project included academic and educational staff at the Institute of Public Health and Medial Law, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and the Bergen University College. The achieved results included mobility activities (two seminars and two workshops in Bergen and Prague), and the preparation of a common manuscript for submission to peer-reviewed scientific journal. During these activities, participants from both sides have increase their skills and competences by sharing best practices with colleagues and different stakeholders. Moreover, the project has generated plans for further cooperation between the Czech Republic and Norway in the field of public health.
Summary of bilateral results
Project partners were involved by travelling twice to Prague or Bergen to meet with the respective host partners for a total of four 5-day workshops/seminars. Representatives from both institutions gave presentations and lectures on a wide range of topics related to health and social security. The workshops were also used for discussion of common interests of Czech and Norwegian partner and for preparing a common scientific paper. The project managers also participated in press events at the launching of the project in Bergen, and after the last seminar in Prague. All activities were organized by the beneficiaries. The main benefit for the beneficiaries was the sharing of knowledge and creating new expert materials. The opportunity to meet community representatives, NGO workers and other stakeholders resulted in expanded cultural awareness, and was an inspiration for future educational and research work, and for ideas for future bilateral projects. For the Norwegian beneficiaries, participation in the project activities gave increased insight in the EU system in general. Finally, all participants have developed their presentation and communication skills by meeting and having discussions with other academics, students, community representatives, and policy makers. An important achievement of the donor partnership was establishment of international partnership with another educational institution (Charles University) which is essential in order to get accreditation for new study PhD programs in Norway. Targeting socio-economic determinants of health inequalities in the Czech Republic was also particularly welcomed as it is one of the strategic priorities of Norwegian health policy. Finally, participation in project activities provided the possibility to be in closer cooperation with the EU system in general, and gave access to a new cultural and social environment as well as new knowledge and the expertise provided by the Czech collaborators.