The 14th session of Health Policy Academy (HPA), organized by Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI), has officially begun.
As the first lecture of the 14th session, Mr. Shunichiro Kurita, Senior Manager of HGPI, provided an overview of the Academy and delivered a lecture themed “Opening the Policy Window: Fundamentals of Public Policy.” The lecture covered foundational knowledge of public policy as well as analytical frameworks necessary for policy analysis and understanding the policy-making process, providing fundamental theories and perspectives essential for for further study in health policy. In the latter half of the lecture, ice-breaker workshop was conducted among participants, creating an opportunity for participants from diverse backgrounds to interact and begin building connections that will support their learning throughout the course.

The 14th session of HPA aims to approach health policy as “practical learning” and provide knowledge and perspectives that are applicable to real-world settings and society, emphasizing the following three pillars:

1. Examining the “ideal state” of healthcare – We will reflect deeply on the values and ideals (norms) underlying healthcare systems and policies.
2. Listening to diverse perspectives – We will respect opinions from different positions, including healthcare professionals, government officials, patients, and stakeholders, while maintaining an attitude of seeking better policies.
3. Envisioning and shaping the future – We aim to foster the ability to envision and to conceptualize the future of healthcare and health policy, and to turn ideas into proposals and practical implementation.

The 14th session consists of a structured curriculum composed of four parts: the Foundation Module, Theory Module, Future of Healthcare Module, and Practice Module. Each lecture features lectures who are currently active in their respective fields, and participants from diverse backgrounds engage in discussions on various themes. Additionally, through group work aimed at creating policy proposals that serve as the final assignment due in February 2026, the program seeks to equip participants with the mindset necessary for actual policy formation processes.