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Dear IFMSA member,Welcome to the IFMSA’s monthly E-newsletter! March has been a very busy month for all of us. The 2013 March Meeting in Baltimore was a truly inspirational event for myself - and plenty others, I would imagine. Thanks to the dutious OC members, the cooperative IFMSA Team of Officials members and every other member out there, this GA has been a great example of what makes us united as a Federation. And if you don’t believe me, you can read along. This issue features some IFMSA members and their GA experiences, veterans and first-timers alike, and their own per-sonal stories. In addition, we also have several updates and a message from the IFMSA President Roopa Dhatt and the Team of Officials.

We hope you enjoy this issue of the Newsletter.

Ismail El-Kharbotly - Newsletter Editor

March 2013

Issue5th

In this IssueNews and updates from:• The IFMSA President• The Team of Officials• NMO Updates

March Meeting 2013 Experiences:• Tunisia• Nigeria• Malaysia• Canada• UK• USA

Other News• Post-MDG-2015 Development Panel• IFMSA Pre-World Health Assembly on Youth• Post-2015 Development Agenda

Learn More about the Post-2015 Development Agenda Here

Learn More about the Pre-World Health

Assembly on Youth Here

Please use the hyperlinks above for easy navigation and click on the bar flower to go back the first page.

Learn More about the Youth Multi-Stakeholder Meeting in Bali Here

President’s Message MM13

Like Dr. Wilson, I am EXCITED and OPTIMISTIC about the future. Moreover, I am EXCITED and OPTIMISTIC about the future we are creating TOGETHER - the challenges we are going to overcome - the positive changes we are going to affect - the friendships that we will make.

Our GENERAL ASSEMBLIES (compared to the time we spend working for good causes), are SHORT moments in space and time. It is however in THESE TIMES that we have the chance to witness the magic behind REAL, HONEST human interactions. TOGETHER we have had the chance to share moments that are happy, sad, frustrating, ingenious, and purely EXHILARATING. A PRECIOUS FEW of these moments have the chance to SPARK something deep inside us. It is these SPARKS that remain so vividly in our memories - even after time has long passed. This is the magic of the moment. Magic, that MUCH MORE often than expected, is generated at our General Assemblies.

For the past week AMSA-USA has been our GRAND MAGICIAN by making these moments possible for us. The organizing committee has invested ENORMOUS amounts of RESOURCES, EFFORT and PERSONAL ENERGY to provide us with JUST THE RIGHT BALANCE of conditions. LIZ, OC OF THE AM12, STAFF and VOLUNTEERS – THANK YOU for INVESTING and BELIEVING in what we are trying to create together. Allow me to speak on behalf of the ENTIRE FEDERATION when I say that we will ALWAYS be grateful for what you have done for us and that WE stand behind YOU.

I also wanted to take the opportunity to thank all individuals involved in preparing and carrying out the programming of this General Assembly. Thank you to IFMSA Members, Alumni, and External Partners alike for continuing to educate and INSPIRE us young physicians in training.

Last, but surely not least, the Team of Officials for the Term plays a pivotal role in the organization of the GA programming, as well as works tirelessly throughout the year to serve to ensure that we are moving closer towards our goals. I would like to take the opportunity to invite the Team of Officials 2012/13 to the stage and thank them for their support.

Lujain Al-Qodmani VPIUsman Mushtaq VPEAlexandre Moser Sec GenFabian Klein Treasurer

David Arku Director of SC on Professional ExchangeIvana Di Salvo Director of SC on Research ExchangeDésirée Lichtenstein Director of SC on Reproductive Health including HIV/AIDSLuisa Baca Director of SC on Medical EducationKitti Horvath Director of SC on Public Health Fares Al-Fares Director of SC on Human Rights & Peace

Miguel Cabral Regional Coordinator for EuropeWaruguru Wanjau Regional Coordinator for Africa Vincent Khor Regional Coordinator for Asia-Pacific Alheli Calderon Villareal Regional Coordinator for the AmericasMona Faramawy Regional Coordinator for the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Fredrik Johansson Liaison Officer to UNESCOJoško Miše Liaison Officer on Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS issuesMaria Aroca Liaison Officer on Research & Medical AssociationsAgostinho Sousa Liaison Officer for Medical Education IssuesAleksandar Lukic Liaison Officer to Other Student OrganizationsAltynai Satylganova Liaison Officer on Public Health IssuesRamon Guinto Liaison Officer to the World Health Organization

Bronwyn Jones Publications Support Division DirectorCharles Nwobu Alumni Relations Support Division DirectorKarim Abu Zied Projects Support Division DirectorAndres Marin Trainings Support Division DirectorMateusz Kolator New Technologies Support Division Director Supervising Council:Luka Kovac, Steen Fagerberg, Yassen Tcholakov, Despina Polidou

I hope that everyone who joined us here in the US takes home INSPIRATION and MOTIVATION to continue working for our cause to shape a BETTER, HEALTHIER world. What comes next - is entirely up to you. I would like to invite you though, to take a few moments to think of the things you have taken out of this meeting and what YOU would like to do next – for YOURSELF - for YOUR NMO - for IFMSA. I hope that a handful of us find that SPARK inside to invest a LITTLE MORE to our cause.

Thank you! And see you all in Chile. Sincerely,

Roopa DhattIFMSA President 2012/13

Roopa DhattIFMSA President 2012/13

Dear IFMSA,

I would like to share a personal story with you about WHY I AM INSPIRED TO SHAPE THE WORLD WE WANT WITH YOU.

NOW I will talk about the values that will get us there:

TRANSPARENCY is aligned as a CORE value within our federation. Not only is transparency DEEPLY anchored within the Spirit of the IFMSA, but it is also a NECESSITY in order for us to take RESPONSIBLE action.

As we have seen during this General Assembly, we are in need for implementing some DEEP-RANGING changes and modifications to our Federation in order to ensure sustainable development. The decision we need to take NOT ONLY affects us sitting here, NOR ONLY the thousands of medical students we represent all over the world, but ALSO the people and communities we serve through our actions. In order to make such decisions we need to take RESPONSIBLE action to address the current and emerging concerns and issues we are facing.

The way to make our actions RESPONSIBLE is to make them ACCOUNTABLE. The way to make our actions ACCOUNTABLE, is to make them TRANSPARENT, so you can know WHAT decisions are made, HOW they are made, and if they ULTIMATELY SERVE the purpose of the Federation. ABOVE ALL, transparency is about HONESTY and TRUTH – to ourselves - to each other – and to others. In order to thrive together in a TRUSTING environment we need to be able to address our concerns OPENLY. We cannot keep silent or address our concerns in the shadows. We HAVE to give each other the chance to HEAR our concerns, LEARN from our mistakes, and COMMIT to changing our behaviors when needed. ONLY THEN will we be able to BREAK DOWN barriers and MOVE ahead for the better.

IFMSA 62nd General Assembly, March Meeting 2013

First and foremost, we, the Team of Officials, receive with joy and humility the kind thoughts and expressions of gratitude from Liz and the whole MM2013 Organizing Committee. We also feel very grateful that we were blessed with such a rare and unique opportunity to contribute (even a bit) not only to this particular GA, but also to the whole Federation at large.

Team of Officials

But we also wish to convey our heartfelt thanks to Elizabeth Wiley, the MM2013 OC, and the whole of AMSA-USA for the home you have provided us away from home. The sleepless nights and endless running around, the hard work and utmost dedication, the smiles and cheerfulness you have shown despite the stress, and much more – these will forever be embedded in our hearts, and we will forever be grateful to you!

Like Liz and the MM2013 OC, we also would like to thank all the beautiful people who made this GA a successful and meaningful one. We hope you won’t mind us not repeating the detailed list all over again, but we feel grateful and indebted to every OC member, IFMSA official, NMO president, plenary team member, assistant, trainer, event coordinator, volunteer, delegate, alumnus, external guest, and hotel staff member that extended to us superb service and utmost patience.

We also send a sincere thank-you to Dr. Wilson, the President of the World Medical Association, for joining us and sharing his optimism for the future ahead, as well as reminding us the importance of engaging on health issues.

This may have become too much a cliché (after Dr. Lawrence Loh said this to us exquisitely), but allow us to refer again to the “magic” of IFMSA. Despite the imperfections we possess and the challenges that emerge, it is this magic that keeps and holds us together during a GA and beyond, and that enables us to finish each GA, maybe with less money than we used to have and more ATPs consumed than the usual, but with more dreams drawn and friendships forged, and with greater optimism and inspiration to move on towards the future.

We love you all! And see you at AM2013!

NMO Updates

Costa RicaOutcomes of the participation of ACEM’s Delegation at the PAMSA Regional Meeting 2013Stephanie Aguilar Rivera

Last January we had the incredible opportunity to send 27 delegates to the PAMSA RM in El Salvador. For those who know ACEM, we usually have little or no representation in IFMSA international meetings due to our class schedules and financial constraints. But this January, history was changed: 27 delegates filled with enthusiasm travelled to El Salvador with a lot of expectations, which, ultimately, were more than met. For most ACEM delegates this RM was their first international IFMSA meeting; they all loved it and want to get involved in more activities like it. Nowadays, outcomes from the Regional Meeting are still appearing: new people in our Executive Board-elect; incoming National and Local Officers; SWGs to improve the de-velopment of ACEM; the reactivation of SCOME; and the creation of our new Trainings Support Division. All of our delegates will work very hard to further develop the Standing Committees, and to start creating new projects. At present, our National Officers are working with officers in other NMOs to create new transnational projects. In recent times we have had our TOM1 and have been working on our Strategic Plan, setting some work priorities for our NMO. Now, we have a complete EB and TO, some-thing which we have not had for a long time.

I think that ACEM is now more alive than ever, and I am sure that all of you will hear and read more about us; there is a lot to tell and much more to feel! I am very proud to an-nounce the new era of ACEM which is getting stronger and growing. See you in Chile!

Our Cancer MonthXiomara Córdoba Valverde

Cancer. This is a word much heard of, and mentioned by, all of us. But do we actually know its meaning?

For SCOPH-Costa Rica, February was the beginning of a year filled with promises of success. We decided to commemorate the “Month of Cancer” by focusing on two major global events: World Cancer Day (4th February), and International Childhood Cancer Day (15th Febru-ary).

After receiving training in palliative care and general oncology, we conducted an ambitious project that provided us with satisfaction, good experiences, and of course, areas for improvement.

The objective of this activity was to educate students about cancer - what it is, why it occurs, what the current situation is in the world and in Costa Rica, and, most importantly, how we can prevent it.

A team of 7 trainers visited three high schools which were chosen because we wanted to target behaviors that may contribute to the de-velopment of cancer in later life. The reactions of the students and their teachers were generally very good, and hence we are confident that we encouraged them to think about potentially harmful lifestyle choices and behaviors and how these can affect their futures.

Altogether our project was achieved with the help of more than 15 medical students, who put all their effort and love into it.

Experiences

TunisiaBalkiss Abdelmoula

I have been asked to write about my favorite GA moment during this last MM in the USA, but I can’t think of one single moment as the whole GA was a breathtaking experi-ence, especially after being able to meet all the amazing people I have been in contact with via e-mails and Facebook, and after reuniting with IFMSA friends from before. At the GA I attended the SCORE and EMR sessions, both of which have always meant so much to me. I was truly amazed by the commitment and the energy flowing from all participants; the different inputs and outputs of these sessions are proof that major positive changes are being implemented.

I was also able to deliver my first training session on Creative Writing just 2 months after becoming an IFMSA trainer. With only 5 participants and a lack of resources this ses-sion was a challenge that I was glad to overcome with my awesome co-trainer Petra. I experienced how incredibly amazing team work and co-facilitating are, not to mention the great emotions we had with our 5 outstanding participants who were present for the entire duration of the training.

The GA was made even more enjoyable for me after Tunisia won the bid to host the March Meeting 2014. The preparations, promotional strategies and long NMO hours that we carried out and endured proved worthwhile after 63 out of 68 votes were placed in favor of bringing MM2014 to sunny Tunisia. I cannot wait to be part of GA prepara-tions next year not only to revive amazing GA moments but also to help IFMSA friends feel at home and experience the beauty of our country.

NigeriaKingsley Njoku

In a world filled with health inequalities, it was refreshing, gratifying, to discover the role of physicians in training as advocates for change.

The March Meeting afforded me the opportunity to interact with other student lead-ers from around the world, feel their zeal, tap from their burning passion for change and especially, build networks that transcend age, race, sex, colour, tribe, religion or language.

The time spent at MM’13 will forever be relished!

MalaysiaMohamed Iliyas

I still vividly remember registering for this GA as one of the earliest delegates right after the registration opened. The reason was simple: I didn’t want to miss the golden opportunity of meeting enthusiastic medical students with similar mindset from all over the world. The excitement was building up each day and I just couldn’t wait for the event to kickoff.

Each and every program of the GA has its own uniqueness and message; from the main event, key note address from world class doctors, standing committee sessions, training workshops, presidents’ session, projects fair, regional meetings, plenary sessions, to the national food and drink party and the international cultural show. It’s unbelievable fact how all the programs could run so smoothly and systematically.

In this GA, I’ve attended the National Member Organization management session, where all the programs were aimed to address the essential management skills in an organization, including the ways to tackle the common problems as upcoming leaders. These were conducted in a group discussion manner, where we shared information among members from different NMOs. By doing so we found effective solutions for several arising problems.

Culture is the fundamental essence to construct a society. The GA has enabled us to share and learn this enriched culture from fellow medical students. I didn’t know Luxembourg’s name was derived from Germanic dialect ‘Lucilinburhuc’ which meant little fortress before meeting Caroline, a delegate from Luxembourg.

The most important thing that I’ve gained apart from all the knowledge about global health, and medical issues across the world is genuine friendship and a very strong network - besides, I still have many things to learn from this circle of leaders, innovators, creators, revolutionists and good-hearted people and friends.

CanadaClaudel Deroisiers

Going to an IFMSA General Assembly is something you are likely to never forget. You know from the start that you are going to come back home exhausted, but proud of what you have accomplished in those few days, happy to have seen precious and inspir-ing friends, excited about all the positive energy and the willingness to change the world, lifted by the special magic of the IFMSA.

The GA was very special for me: I was crazy enough to run for IFMSA executive board, I led a delegation of ten enthusiastic mem-bers, and I gave several trainings in between. I remember one afternoon when we blasted the music in the plenary room and started dancing: we were unstoppable! And we are not talking about the nights when the plenary went wild and collectively moved on the beats of “Ai se eu te Pego” or “Gangnam Style”. It is times like these that make you realise how lucky you are to be able to sit with people from 100+ different countries, to be a part of a Federation that embraces diversity and respects our values and ideas. I must also thank the “Closing the Gap” preGA participants for their very spectacular and touching flash mob, highlighting their determina-tion to achieve global health equity in our generation.

During this past GA, our federation grew bigger, with medical students being trained to become leaders in their community. I came back home feeling that the GA ended far too quickly, wishing I had had more time with friends to exchange projects, ideas, and in-spiration. And of course, I suffered from a postGA syndrome, and so did my laptop. It is now filled with stickers that remind me daily that there is a global community of medical students worldwide who are determined to change the world and to shape the health of the planet. And that is why I love IFMSA that much.

UKAbi Deivanayagam

At first, I admit, I had very little idea of what the MM2013 would entail. All I expected was to meet students, chat about healthcare issues over coffee and attend some trainings on promoting global health, with a bit of advocacy thrown in. However, I did not expect the sheer volume of knowledge that hit me.

As a newcomer, I was thrown into the wonderful world of SCORA. Although I cringed every time we called ourselves SCORAngels and started off every meeting with a gut-busting energiser, I loved every moment of it. SCORA displayed cultural diversity at its finest. When you’re in a room of people from over 100 countries, discussing unsafe abortions or virginity, you can’t help but pinch and remind yourself of how lucky you are to be part of these intense discussions. It was amazing not only to witness the differences in opinions and values, but also to see the passion that people spoke with. These were students who truly cared about reproductive health issues, working for change to happen for a more equitable reproductive health system in their home countries.

By the end of the GA, I had met students from at least 50 countries, distributed liquorice all-sorts (dressed in a multicolored morph-suit), conducted my first training session on advocacy, and witnessed an inspirational passing of policy statements that reflected medical students’ voices worldwide. The experience was truly remarkable.

USAAliye Runyan

It was a truly incredible experience to host so many students (and friends!) in Balti-more. We as the OC definitely learned a lot and worked overtime to make sure it was a successful event for all.

I (and AMSA USA) are especially grateful to the delegations that helped us when things got rowdy. I was so excited to see the unity in plenary even through difficulties, the incredible cultural show, and an NFD that was super fun!

Looking forward to another great meeting in Chile!

Post-MDG-2015 Development Panel, during the 62nd General Assembly, March Meeting 2013

The group panel discussed:• The achievements and implementation of the MDGs• The future direction of the post-2015 agenda• Health as a key dimension of the post-2015 agenda• The present-day importance of health, social determinants of health, universal health coverage, and sustainable development• The role of using human rights and the human security framework as an ap-proach for the health component of the sustainable development goals• Reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, including violence and threats against women and children• Principles of equity• Principles of implementation: accountability and shared responsibility• The sustainability framework

IFMSA considers itself to be a key stakeholder in guiding the Post-2015 Development Agenda. As an organization that represents young people and future doctors, IFMSA feels that it has a critical role in shaping the goals and achieving those that have been set. Thus, IFMSA is committed to building internal capacity in order to have meaningful participation in the consultation process that is representative of medical students worldwide. During the 62nd General Assembly (March Meeting 2013) in Baltimore, USA, a panel was brought together to discuss pertinent issues.

The panel was moderated by Roopa Dhatt, IFMSA President. Participants included:

Dr Julian Schweitzer, a former chair of the PMNCH Board, and former Director of Health, Nutrition and Population at the World Bank. Dr Kate Green, Associate Director of Advocacy & Policy at Partners In Health. Dr Gloria Ekpo, HIV and AIDS Technical Specialist at World Vision USA. Dr Ekpo provides technical assistance to HIV and AIDS pro-grams in over 60 countries. Dr Altagracia Mares de León, IFMSA Global Health Equity Initiative Coordinator. Grace has been an activist for addressing the root cause of inequities in health.Waruguru Wanjau, Regional Coordinator for Africa. Gugu has been active on sustainable development, governance and engaging the Global South into the process. Neil de Laplante, a medical student at Western University in Windsor, Canada. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Geological Engineer-ing with an emphasis on water resources.

IFMSA Pre-World Health Assembly on Youth

The Youth Pre-World Health Assembly aims to gather 30 students and young people from around the world for a three-day workshop on global health diplomacy and global health governance. The aims of this conference are to educate and empower future leaders in health with enhanced knowledge and understanding of global health issues. Furthermore, the event aims to develop a streamlined plan of action for youth participation at the World Health Assembly. Participants will work in small working groups to develop a com-prehensive plan of action for the World Health Assembly in order to create a more effective and meaningful youth participation at the World Health Assembly. Leading experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), National Member States and Non-Governmental Organizations will be invited to give lectures to participants on selected topics and provide feedback on the youth strategy for the World Health Assembly. Key focus areas will include: Social Determinants of Health, Post 2015 Millennium Development Goals, Consultative Expert Working Group (CEWG), Human Resources for Health, and Reproductive and Adolescent Health. Finally, participants will be able to attend the WHO World Health Assembly and carry out joint actions with other youth delegates to make their voices heard and have a greater impact on global health.

For more information please contact us at youth.pre.wha@gmail.com or visit our website at http://www.ifmsa.org/Events/Calendar/Pre-WHA-on-Youth

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Editor of the E-newsletter:• Ismail El-Kharbotly

Layout and Designing:• Ibrahim Mousa• Airin Aldiani• Hassan Aboul-Nour• Eric Melendez

IFMSA Publications Support D.D:• Bronwyn Jones

High-Level Dialogue on Health in the Post-2015 Development Agenda in Botswana

IFMSA strives to be a part of shaping the world we want post-2015. From the 3rd to the 5th of March 2013, IFMSA President, Roopa Dhatt, attended this high-level dialogue to represent the voices of medical students worldwide.

IFMSA Interventions at the Global Thematic Consultation on Health in the Post-2015 Development Agenda, delivered by Roopa, can be found at:

http://ifmsa.wordpress.com/2013/03/19/high-level-dialogue-on-health-in-the-post-2015-development-agenda-concludes-in-botswana/

Intervention #1—Importance of young people in the development agenda, health in all policies, and getting to the root cause

Intervention #2—Political language and health in all policies

Intervention #3—Human resources for health

Intervention #4—Specific target groups and an overarching goal on adolescents and young people