UNITAR Online Catalogue
PUBLIC POLICY FOUNDATIONS AND INCLUSIVE PRACTICES (WINTER EDITION)
People
Contexte
Good governance is the foundation of prosperous, inclusive and peaceful societies, where human rights are effectively promoted and protected through strong and accountable institutions. Public policies are key instruments through which governments respond to societal needs, set priorities, and translate principles, legislative frameworks and commitments into concrete actions that affect individuals and communities.
A sound understanding of the public policy cycle, from identifying needs and formulating responses to adoption, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, is essential to achieving effective policy outcomes. This also requires an understanding of inclusion and diversity, including how different groups experience policies and how their needs, perspectives and strengths can be reflected in policymaking.
Contemporary societies face complex and interconnected challenges, including socio-economic inequalities, political polarisation, climate change, digital divides, and barriers to equitable access to rights and services. Addressing these challenges requires policies that are evidence-informed, participatory, accountable and aligned with human rights and sustainable development commitments. Inclusive approaches are therefore essential to ensuring that policies respond to diverse realities and contribute to more equitable societies.
As a contribution to this endeavor, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has developed the online blended training "PUBLIC POLICY FOUNDATIONS AND INCLUSIVE PRACTICES" Fostering Knowledge for Responsive Decisions and Lasting Impact drawing on its expertise in training and research. It seeks to strengthen the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to design, implement and evaluate people-centred, rights-based and evidence-informed policies and actions. Through capacity development, learning solutions and experience sharing, UNITAR supports professionals and institutions in addressing current and emerging governance challenges and contributing to peaceful, just and inclusive societies.
The blended training consists of two self-paced online courses complemented by online lectures. It places particular emphasis on inclusive public policy as a foundation for good governance, connecting the fundamentals of policymaking with their practical application. Participants will explore key dimensions of inclusive governance, human rights and diverse groups, as well as emerging policy challenges related to human mobility, gender, disability, digital inclusion, climate change and food security. By combining conceptual knowledge with practical perspectives, the training aims to strengthen participants' ability to engage constructively in policy processes and contribute to more inclusive decisions and sustainable outcomes for individuals, communities and society as a whole.
Objectifs du cours
- Define the features of public policy and policymaking and identify the key actors involved in the process.
- Understand the urgency and importance in developing effective public policies to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and promote the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Design and implement effective communications strategies and use leadership skills to support the policymaking process.
- Distinguish the core aspects of the Public Policy cycle.
- Understand the process of policy formulation and apply principles to policymaking.
- Illustrate competence in the process of monitoring and evaluating implemented policies.
- Identify how inclusive governance through public policies can strengthen the protection, promotion, and full enjoyment of human rights.
- Recognize the challenges faced by different groups and societies in achieving equitable access to rights and services through public policy.
- Describe the benefits and positive impact of inclusive, participatory, and accountable public policies on social cohesion, equity, and human development.
- Indicate possible policy options to support inclusive governance initiatives across diverse contexts.
Contenu et structure
E-LEARNING COURSES
Course 1 — "Fundamentals of Public Policy," Fostering Knowledge for Good Governance Decisions
About the Course
This course introduces participants to fundamental features that underpin public policy. It emphasizes how governments identify societal needs, set priorities, prepare and implement measures, and evaluate outcomes to achieve effective governance. By exploring the core elements of the policy cycle, learners gain insight into how policies are developed, implemented, and assessed to address social, economic, and environmental challenges.
The course highlights the importance of evidence-based decision-making, inclusivity, and accountability as central pillars of sound policy. Participants will learn how policies can shape equitable access to services, strengthen institutions, and enhance public trust. Foundational knowledge in public policy equips learners to understand the dynamics between policy goals, stakeholders, and institutional capacities, providing a basis for informed decision-making in governance contexts.
By focusing on the essentials, this course lays the groundwork for understanding how public policy translates legislative frameworks, ideas and principles into actions that positively impact communities and society as a whole. Within this context, UNITAR plays a key role in supporting different stakeholders to strengthen good governance, including their interlinkages with public policies. Mainstreaming knowledge in these fields pursues the transformation of discriminatory social institutions, laws, cultural norms, and community practices.
Course Content
Module I — Core Features of Public Policy
- What is Public Policy?
- The Interlinkages between Public Policy and Good Governance.
- The Role of Policymakers and Practitioners.
- The Implications of Political Dynamics on Public Policy.
Module II — Policy Formulation
- The Policymaking Process.
- Techniques and Tools for Effective Policy Formulation.
- Criteria for Choosing Right Policy Solutions.
Module III — Effective Leadership in the Public Sector
- Leadership Roles and Responsibilities for Effective Public Sector Leadership.
- Tools for Phase I, II, and III for Collaboration.
- Decision Making for Mainstreaming Human Rights and Sustainable.
Module IV — Communicating About Policy Issues
- Developing an Effective Communications Strategy.
- The Importance of Active Listening, Collaboration, and Problem-Solving Skills.
- Analysing Policies and Shifts in Policy Frames.
Course 2 — "Public Policy for Inclusive Governance," Inclusive Decisions, Lasting Impact.
About the Course
Good governance is the foundation of prosperous, inclusive, and peaceful societies, where human rights are effectively promoted and protected through strong institutions. Yet persistent challenges remain in all countries, as they face increasingly complex issues, including political polarization, socio-economic inequalities, the negative impacts of climate change, and digital divides, which strain institutional capacity, weaken responsiveness, and erode public trust.
As underscored in United Nations resolutions and documents, common challenges persist across regions, such as weak institutional capacity, limited accountability and redress, corruption, exclusion of marginalized groups, and difficulties in translating public policies into tangible outcomes. At the same time, these challenges also present opportunities, such as digital technologies improving service delivery and transparency, inclusive policymaking strengthening social cohesion, and institutional reforms rebuilding trust between governments and citizens.
Within this context, UNITAR plays a key role in supporting different stakeholders to strengthen good governance, including their inter-linkages with public policies, human mobility, disabilities, ageing, gender, and frontier issues, including climate change, digital technologies and food security. Mainstreaming knowledge in these fields pursues the transformation of discriminatory social institutions, laws, cultural norms, and community practices.
Course Content
Module I — Fundamentals of Public Policy
- The Public Policy Cycle
- Strengthening Public Policy to Foster Good Governance
- Strengthening Public Policy to Uphold Human Rights
Module II — Intergenerational Public Policies
- Older Persons
- Young Persons
- Children
Module III — Public Policies for Persons with Disabilities
- Physical Disabilities
- Sensory Disabilities
- Cognitive and Intellectual Disabilities
Module IV — Public Policies and Gender
- Women and Girls
- Men and Boys
- Gender-Diverse and Non-Binary Populations
Module V — Public Policies and Human Mobility
- Refugees, Stateless and Displaced persons
- Migrant Persons
- Circular, Seasonal and Labor Mobility
Module VI — Public Policies and Frontier Issues
- Digital Inclusion
- Climate Change
- Food Security
ONLINE LECTURES
The e-learning course “Fundamentals of Public Policy” will be followed by two days of online lectures via Zoom, featuring experts with extensive experience in the field.
Dates: Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9, December 2026. (3 hours per day, from 14:00 to 17h00 CET), on Zoom.
The e-learning course “Public Policy for Inclusive Governance” will be followed by two days of online lectures via Zoom, featuring experts with extensive experience in the field.
Dates: Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27, January 2027. (3 hours per day, from 14:00 to 17h00 CET), on Zoom.
Méthodologie
This blended training is based on UNITAR's sound adult learning pedagogical principles. Each module of the courses includes readings, self-assessment activities and quizzes. The learning activities are distributed in such a way to ensure the achievement of the learning objectives in a flexible manner.
Audience cible
The course is designed for supporting the work of policymakers and practitioners, but also relevant for different stakeholders working or interested on public policy from developed and developing countries.
Informations supplémentaires
CERTIFICATION
After finalizing the self-paced interactive modules of each e-learning course, a Certificate of Completion for the respective course will be granted.
Those participants who only join the online lectures -2 days, 6 hours for each course, at least 75% of the time (to be measured by the system) will receive a Certificate of Participation.
The Certificate of Completion for the whole Blended Training, "Public Policy Foundations and Inclusive Practices" Fostering Knowledge for Responsive Decisions and Lasting Impact will only be granted to those participants who successfully finish the interactive modules of the two courses, and attend at least 75% of the online lectures.
All the Certificates will be sent to the email address each participant used to register for this Blended Training after the 31st of January 2027.
RELEVANT DATES
The first e-learning course will be open on the 1st of November 2026, and the second one on the 9th of December 2026. Both will remain open until the 31st of January 2027, as the deadline to finish both online courses.
The e-learning course “Fundamentals of Public Policy” will be followed by two days of online lectures via Zoom, featuring experts with extensive experience in the field.
Dates: Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9, December 2026. (3 hours per day, from 14:00 to 17h00 CET), on Zoom.
The e-learning course “Public Policy for Inclusive Governance” will be followed by two days of online lectures via Zoom, featuring experts with extensive experience in the field.
Dates: Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27, January 2027. (3 hours per day, from 14:00 to 17h00 CET), on Zoom.