Higher education as the key to training the next generation of safety and health professionals – a dialogue between continents
Ulrike Bollmann
PhD, German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), President of ENETOSH
Higher education is the key to developing economic, social and environmental sustainability in OSH.
With their study programmes in disciplines relevant to occupational safety and health, such as safety engineering, industrial hygiene, occupational medicine and occupational health care, universities make a decisive contribution to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, universities have a role model function for good work for future generations of employees.
The contributions of this session highlight the status and challenges of disciplines relevant to occupational safety and health in different regions of the European and African continents. Examples of OSH-related courses of study are presented that enable students to implement UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 8 in particular. In this context, it will also be discussed how the university itself can become more sustainable.
The aim of the event is to promote exchange between the occupational safety and health professions of the different continents and to highlight opportunities for cross-continental cooperation in occupational safety and health.
The event is a joint event of the European Network Education and Training in Occupational Safety and Health (ENETOSH) and the Pan-African OSH Network OSHAfrica.
A+A Congress 2023: October 25, 10:15 – 13:15, Workshop on “Higher education as the key to training the next generation of safety and health professionals – a dialogue between continents”, Room 7, first floor.
Please find the workshop program here.
Author:
Ulrike Bollmann, PhD, International Cooperation Division, Institute for Work and Health of the DGUV
Promoting the well-being of teachers in a "smart" school
Ulrike Bollmann
PhD, German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), President of ENETOSH
The education sector, in this case schools, are affected by digitalisation in two ways at the same time: Firstly, with regard to their educational mission and secondly, with regard to the digitalisation of teachers' working environment.
In the past, the working conditions of teachers have not been at the centre of interest when dealing with the effects of digitalisation in the education sector. Yet teachers are already a fundamentally highly stressed occupational group for whom the pandemic and digitalisation represent an additional challenge.
The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) campaign 2023-2025: Safe and healthy work in the digital age addresses this issue.
The results of a study on the impact of digitalisation on the health and safety of teachers will be presented at the event. The example of the Republic of Croatia will be used to show how the establishment of a system for developing digitally mature schools can succeed. Another country example from Finland illustrates under which conditions the digital transformation can promote safety, health and well-being of teachers and students and thus contribute to the quality of education.
Finally, strategies and measures for a human-centred sustainable design of working conditions for teachers in "smart" schools will be discussed by representatives of the European Trade-Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), from the field of educational technology (EDUvation) and the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA).
This online event will take place on 23 November, 2023, from 09:00 - 11:30
Agenda here, registration form here
Author:
Ulrike Bollmann, PhD, International Cooperation Division, Institute for Work and Health of the DGUV
European Forum of Insurance against Accidents at Work and Occupational Diseases
Vinka Longin Peš
PhD, Head of the Project Department, Croatian Health Insurance Fund
Under the slogan ’Be fit for the digital age!’, next year’s conference will provide a platform for innovative discussions, insightful presentations, and collaborative networking opportunities, with aim to explore the challenges and opportunities brought about by digital transformation in the dynamic world of insurance against accidents at work and occupational diseases.
A little historical introduction
The European Forum of the Insurance against Accident at Work and Occupational Diseases (hereafter: European Forum) was founded in 1992 and is composed of accident insurance institutions from 21 countries.
The idea of setting up a European Forum evolved during the European conference entitled “The Creation of Europe”, which was held in Florence in Italy, in November 1991. Italy took the initiative of organizing a memorable ceremony on 20 June 1992 in the Capitol, Rome, to sign the Statute of the European Forum of the Insurance against Accidents at Work and Occupational Diseases.
In accordance with the Statute, the statutory accidents insurance institutions in the countries of Europe recognize:
- that in spite of the diversity of their respective legal frameworks and organizations, their tasks and goals are by large identical;
- that all are animated by the same spirit of solidarity and, above all, by the desire to work towards ensuring the welfare of the insured and working people;
- that these objectives are based on ethical, social and legal obligations that are an integral part of European culture and traditions.
Guided by this awareness and by the shared conviction, the members of European Forum jointly contribute to the work of this independent organization with the aim to promote health protection at work, improve the position of workers injured at work or suffering from an occupational disease and to create a socially just Europe.
The Presidency of the European Forum rotates between member countries every year.
4e4 changes that bring value
After the Finnish presidency and the conference held in Helsinki in 2023 with the topic Workers’ Compensations in a Changing World, the next conference of the European Forum will be held in Zagreb, from 4 until 6 June 2024, under the slogan ’Be fit for the digital age!’.
Digital fitness starts with a shift in culture and a mind-set change. Creating a schedule for digital fitness should include factors that will contribute to new values.
Under the motto 4e4 changes that bring value, the focus of the conference is on e-services, e-data, e-protection and e-projects, with the emphasis on digital innovations supporting sustainability and green transition.
Within the aforementioned four areas, the conference will cover the following topics:
- enhancement of digital services in the field of social insurance system and health protection at work;
- electronic exchange of information that enables easier access and security of data from the field of social rights, including European Health Data Space, in order to unleash the full potential of health data, with the emphasis on strengthening prevention through the secondary use of health data;
- responses to challenges in the protection against cyber threats in social insurance systems;
- exploring innovative solutions within projects, with the emphasis on AI for smart health and medicine;
- expanding effective preventive health programs in health protection in the new digital world of work and education, including transformations of the educational system with the potential for the acceleration of global progress.
The conference days will also include the meetings of the Working Groups for Legislation, Occupational Diseases, Digitalization and Communication. An ENETOSH Steering Committee meeting will also take place.
Save the dates from 4 to 6 June 2024 and join this innovative event, taking place at the National and University Library in Zagreb.
If you want to share an interesting idea or present the results of your own research or project, please feel free to contact the organizational team via e-mail: efzagreb2024@mirovinsko.hr
In the forthcoming months, more details will be shared on the official website of the European Forum: https://www.europeanforum.org/events/4843/
Author:
Vinka Longin Peš, PhD, Head of the Project Department, Croatian Health Insurance Fund
The Global Initiative for Safety, Health, and Well-being @EXPO2025 and Beyond for the Happiness of All Global Citizens
Mariko Yamada
International Standardization and Safety2.0 @ IDEC Corporation - Global Headquarters, Osaka, Japan
Introduction
In a world with an estimated 8 billion people, the importance of the safety, health, and well-being of people’s lives cannot be overstated. The upcoming EXPO2025 in Osaka, Japan, aims to address these crucial aspects by embracing the theme of "Designing Future Society for Our Lives," with subthemes of Saving Lives, Empowering Lives, and Connecting Lives. Taking the momentum of this global event, which projects about 28.2 million visitors, the Global Initiative for Safety, Health, and Wellbeing @ EXPO2025 & BEYOND (GISHW) will bring together experts from various fields to collaborate on creating a safer, healthier, and happier world for everyone by focusing on the well-being of workers. In this article, we will explore the significance of the Global Initiative for Safety, Health, and Well-being @EXPO2025 & BEYOND (GISHW) in promoting the well-being of workers and society as a whole.
The Vision: A Safer, Healthier World for the Well- being of All
The main goal of EXPO2025 is to design a future society that prioritizes the well-being of individuals. This vision aligns perfectly with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that aim to establish a sustainable and inclusive society by 2030, as well as with Vision Zero, the global campaign that focuses on the safety, health, and well-being of workers. By focusing on safety, health, and well-being, we can aim to ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of a better future.
The Importance of Workplace Well-being
Work is what makes human society possible. People, as social animals, cannot exist alone; we help, cooperate, collaborate, directly or indirectly, with others to make it possible for you and others to live. The bus driver who takes you to the office every day, the cashier at the supermarket, or the barista who greets you before and after work, the doctor who checks your routine well-being, the teachers who guide your children, are all workers who make your life possible. We realize the interconnectedness of human beings through work. Work occupies a significant portion of our lives. It is where we spend the majority of our waking hours, interact with colleagues, and contribute to society.
Therefore, ensuring the well-being of workers is essential for creating a happy and prosperous world. When employees work in a safe and comfortable environment, they are more likely to be productive, innovative, and satisfied, leading to better outcomes for individuals, organizations, employers, customers, and society. Also, it is often said that happy workers make for a happy family. When parents feel secure and content in their workplaces, their positive energy transfers to their homes, benefiting their partners and children. By prioritizing safety, health, and well-being in the workplace, we can create a ripple effect that extends beyond office walls and positively impacts society at large.
The Global Initiative for Safety, Health, and Well- being @EXPO2025 and Beyond
The Global Initiative for Safety, Health, and Well-being @EXPO20025 and BEYOND (GISHW) was launched in April 2023 in Bilbao, Spain on the occasion of ORP Congress 2023. It is currently composed of esteemed international and national institutions, organizations, companies, and citizen networks, which will unite to collaborate and contribute to the worldwide improvement of well-being. Present partners include WHO, ILO, ISSA, IOSH, ENETOSH, IGSAP, ICOH, ORP, SIEMENS, FIOH, and many others. This initiative aims to enhance the safety, health, and overall well-being of the estimated 8 billion global citizens by enriching the world of work and harnessing the wisdom and knowledge of occupational safety and health professionals on a global scale. It acknowledges that achieving these goals necessitates expertise and knowledge from diverse domains, extending beyond just occupational safety and health. Additionally, the initiative recognizes the importance of integrating safety, health, and well-being into the education system, spanning from pre-school to higher education, as well as continuing vocational education and training. This integration stands as one of the fundamental factors, alongside the qualification system for individuals who have completed the curriculum and demonstrated possession of the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.
Collaborating for a Better Future, and Your Role in the Global Initiative
By participating in this endeavor, you can interact with like-minded individuals and foster personal and professional development. Your unique perspective, profound insights, and invaluable experiences are crucial in shaping our shared vision of a safer and healthier future. The organizers of GISHW invite you to join this noble endeavor. Together, we can cultivate safer and healthier workplaces, ultimately contributing to a better, brighter world for all.
Our activities and endeavors towards a happier world through making happy workers have already started. In May 2023, GISHW had its first general meeting, symposium, and exhibition in Osaka, Japan. Our current target is set at EXPO in the year 2025, with a large-scale exhibition of safety, health, and well-being practices and technologies accompanied by the World Assembly and Symposium of world-class speakers. Participating in GISHW is an opportunity to make a real difference. You can engage with experts and practitioners in the field by attending physical events in Japan, including EXPO2025 and before that and well beyond that.
Join GISHW
EXPO2025 in Osaka, Japan, presents a unique opportunity to create a safer and healthier future for all. By prioritizing safety, health, and well-being in workplaces, we can positively impact individuals, families, and society as a whole. The Global Initiative for Safety, Health, and Well-being @EXPO2025 & BEYOND (GISHW) invites you to be part of this transformative journey. Together, we can cultivate a world where every worker thrives and contributes to a happier and more prosperous planet. We will achieve this by sharing knowledge and best practices, developing innovative solutions, and advocating for policies that support safety, health, and well-being.
Join us today and help us make a difference. Together, we can create a safer, healthier, and happier future for all. Keep the smiles of your loved ones, and certainly, the smiles of your favorite barista.
Author:
Mariko Yamada, Secretariat of the Global Initiative for Safety, Health and Wellbeing@EXPO2025 and BEYOND, IDEC Corporation
