13:00-13:30: Arrival and Registration
13:30 - 13:45: Welcome and Opening Remarks Opening the event and introduces the programme.
- Welcome address by Zina Nimeh, Award Chair
- Welcome words- Maastricht University by Mark Vluggen, Associate Dean of Education (SBE/Maastricht University)
13:45 - 14:00: Keynote Address from the International Labour Organization
- Speaker: Christina Behrendt, ILO
Title: “Social Protection in a Changing World: Inspiring the Next Generation”
- Tribute to Michael Cichon’s contributions in the ILO and beyond
- The role of research and young scholars in shaping equitable social protection systems.
14:00 - 14:35: Reflections on the Programme
- How it all Started: Speaker: Chris de Neubourg
- Beyond the Masters into PhD research: Mindel Van de Laar (and Erich de la Fuente)
- From Thesis to Impact - My Journey in Policy and Practice: Bart Kleine Deters
14:35-14:45 Video Tribute
14:45-14:55 - Short Break
14:55-15:45: Panel Discussion - “Education and Research for Policy Impact: The Next Frontier”
- Moderator: Franziska Gassmann
- Panellists: Chris de Neubourg; Krzysztof Hagemejer, Elaine Lebon-McGregor and the Municipality of Maastricht
- Audience Q&A (10-15 minutes)
15:45-16:15: The Award Ceremony
- Introduction by Award Chair: overview of the award and selection process.
- Short remarks about thesis by the finalists (3 minutes each)
- Announcement of the winner and presentation of the award
- Winner’s acceptance remarks
16:15-16.30: Closing Remarks
- Closing words from the Cichon Family
- Closing of the award ceremony
16:45-18:00: Reception