Competencies required to apply the SDH approach (Material prepared by participants to the WORKSHOP “Learning Opportunities for the Initial Application of the SDH Approach,” held in Santiago, Chile on August 29, 30 and 31, 2007, sponsored by the Governments of Chile and Brazil and PAHO).

In order to apply the SDH approach to the training initiatives planned to be targeted at different audiences, a map of competencies was defined with the purpose of clarifying the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to develop and foster a new thought in explaining health, disease and death. Below, reference is made to three key functions for which twelve competencies were identified.

KEY PURPOSE

Reduce inequities and make progress toward more inclusive, democratic, sustainable and healthy societies through the participative work of decision-makers, the civil society and academia in the reflection, consensus-building, learning, design, implementation and evaluation of public policies designed to build a society of stronger and freer men and women.

KEY FUNCTIONS

Facilitate the participation and coordination of the different actors involved in decision-making processes to build a common vision and produce the conceptual and methodological frameworks required for the design and implementation of public policies based on the SDH approach intended to reduce equity gaps and impact on individual and collective well-being.
Use appropriate learning and communication strategies to strengthen the capacity of people, institutions and communities in applying the SDH approach.
Use and include the SDH approach in the design, implementation and evaluation of public policies and action strategies oriented to increasing individual and collective well-being and reducing inequities

KEY FUNCTIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Key Function 1 and Competencies
Facilitate the participation and coordination of the different actors involved in decision-making processes to build a common vision and produce the conceptual and methodological frameworks required for the design and implementation of public policies based on the SDH approach intended to reduce inequity gaps and impact on individual and collective well-being.
Involve and articulate priority actors to be included and promote,  monitor and evaluate coordination and participation levels.
Create a common vision of SDH based on available knowledge, opportunities for reflection and dialogue, and knowledge production.
Generate conceptual and methodological frameworks to work on the SDH approach according to the needs of the actors involved, taking into account the cultural diversity of the population.
Monitor and follow up on the use of SDH conceptual and methodological frameworks and the SDH approach to attain improved individual and collective well-being.

Key Function 2 and Competencies
Use appropriate learning and communication strategies to strengthen the capacity of people, institutions and communities in applying the SDH approach.
dentify (or evaluate) different learning needs concerning the SDH approach through participatory processes that involve individual, institutional and community actors.
Design a supply of learning opportunities intended to meet the identified needs with a view to building individual, institutional and community capacities.
Implement the learning supply designed and evaluate its processes and outcomes.
Design and implement social communication strategies on the implementation of the SDH approach with individual, institutional and community actors.

Key Function 3 and Competencies
Use and include the SDH approach in the design, implementation and evaluation of public policies and action strategies oriented to increasing individual and collective well-being and reducing inequities.
Identify and select available evidence and analyze it critically, synthesizing and adjusting it to the concrete realities that are the subject of policies or actions.
Mobilize and generate consensus regarding policies and interventions (for viability purposes), among both actors from other sectors and citizens in general.
Set up and adopt a monitoring and follow-up system, with indicators measuring the process and impact of implementing the SDH approach on the population’s well-being and on equity in health .
Gain commitments, based on consensus and negotiations, to ensure the political and financial feasibility of these policies and actions.