Summary:
Background: Call for Youth PreWHA 2022 & World Health Assembly Delegates
- When: The workshop will take place with a combination of virtual and in-person events that will take place over 3 weekends. The dates for the event are:
- Weekend 1: 7th of May (Online)
- Weekend 2: 14th and 15th of May (Online)
- Weekend 3: 18, 19th 20th of May (Hybrid)
- Reflection day: 4th of June (Online)
- Where: Hybrid, virtual and in Geneva (optional)
What you have to do:
- Note that if you are not part of IFMSA, but another Student or Youth Organization, your Candidature Form (CF) needs to be signed by your Global Youth/Student Organization President or a suitable alternative board member.
- Fill in the application form and upload your filled CF there: Link
- Deadline: 1st December 2021, 23:59 GMT
Relevant Links:
- Youth PreWHA 2019 Report (Link)
- WHA 72 Report (Link)
- Youth PreWHA 2020 Report (Link)
- WHA 73 Report (Link)
- Youth PreWHA and WHA 2021 (Link)
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Dear IFMSA family,
We would like to announce the opening of the call for applications for one of the main global health events of the year, the 75th World Health Assembly (WHA) and the 10th Youth Pre World Health Assembly (Youth PreWHA), in the hybrid setting.
Background:
The 75th World Health Assembly (WHA) will be held from the 22nd-28th of May 2022, possibly in a hybrid format. Attended by delegations from almost 200 Member States as well as recognised international NGOs and other Non-State Actors, the WHA is the annual gathering of the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization. As in previous years, IFMSA will be organising a Youth PreWHA on the days prior to the WHA, but this time with a combination of virtual and in-person (if context allows) events spanning over three weekends with the dates as follows:
Weekend 1: 7th of May (Online)
Weekend 2: 14th and 15th of May (Online)
Weekend 3: 18, 19th 20th of May (Hybrid)
With a mandatory post-WHA virtual follow-up session on 4th of June 2022.
The Youth PreWHA is open to members of IFMSA National Member Organisations as well as other young people from various disciplines, creating an interprofessional working environment.
The Youth PreWHA fosters and improves youth participation at the WHA and further strengthens the voice of youth during global health negotiations. The workshop aims to empower and strengthen the advocacy skills and leadership of future health professionals as well as to increase the participants’ knowledge about global health themes that are central to the 75th World Health Assembly. This year, the academic program will be centred on four key Academic Pillars, which are Universal Health Coverage, Meaningful Youth Participation, Global Health Education, with an emphasis on Social Accountability. Delegates will also have the opportunity to join Advocacy Working Groups, which focus on urgent global health issues.
How to apply?
Step 1: Prepare your Candidature Form: Link
Notes: The CF should be signed and stamped by your NMO President. If the candidate is the NMO President, the confirmation must be signed by a suitable alternative NMO board member. Your Candidature Form (CF) should be ready before filling out the Application Form above as you will be asked to upload it in the Application Form. A correctly filled CF is mandatory for your application to be considered valid. Please check the Sample Candidature Form here and make sure your CF is exactly filled like this, otherwise, it will be invalid: Link.
If you are not part of IFMSA, but a member from another student or youth organisation, your Candidature Form (CF) needs to be signed by your Global Youth/Student Organization President or suitable alternative board member, not a National Board Member.
Step 2: Fill out the following Application Form: Link
The deadline for applications is the 1st December 2021, 23:59 GMT. Please note that the scoring and evaluation processes might be time-consuming. Accepted applicants will be notified by January 2021. Moreover, you may wish to refer to the IFMSA ‘How to Write an Application Manual’ (Link) to help you in this process! Incomplete or late applications will not be taken into consideration.
Evaluation Criteria:
The applicants will be evaluated based on the following selection criteria:
- To apply, you have to be a student during the event or have been a student within 6 months before the start of the event. (note: this is any type of student, it does not necessarily have to mean medical student)
- The motivation for attending the Youth PreWHA/WHA and how you will use this experience in the future.
- A keen interest in global health issues. (Please note that international experience is not required, and as we are aiming for a balanced experience profile, applicants with local/national experience are welcome to apply as well.)
- Understanding of IFMSA advocacy work, including the role of young people in global health advocacy.
- The delegation will consist of a total of 60 people, including the Organizing Committee and a select group of IFMSA Officials.
Please note that the evaluation of the received applications will be performed objectively with consideration of the criteria mentioned above. Each application will be marked twice anonymously to ensure an unbiased approach. Moreover, strict gender balance and regional representation quotas will be applied in the selection process.
Hybrid Setting
If selected for the Youth PreWHA and WHA Delegation, your virtual spot will be ensured. Part of the Youth PreWHA and WHA will be organized by the IFMSA in the hybrid setting. To ensure that there is representation from different regions in the world and fair access, we will work in a stacked quota system. If you indicate that you would like to be present in person for these sections, you will be guided in the months leading up to the event whether you are selected for the in-person parts. The higher your application score is, the more chance you have to be selected for the in-person experience. Please note that being unable to attend in person, does not affect your chances of being selected for the Youth PreWHA and WHA Delegation.
Registration fee:
The registration fee of Youth PreWHA 2022 is expected to be no higher than 500 euros in total for partially in-person delegates and no higher than 30 euros for fully virtual delegates. This fee will cover:
- All Youth PreWHA sessions including the venue;
- Food during the in-person part of the Youth PreWHA 2022;
- Accommodation in Geneva from the 17th of May till the 28th of May (this includes the entire WHA).
- All online platforms used for the duration of the event.
Full payment would be expected in January or February; more information on payment and registration will be shared with accepted applicants. If you are successful in your application, you will be informed regarding the final cost as soon as possible.
Financial Support Virtual Setting
To make this event merrier and to reduce barriers including lack of dependable internet connection, the Organizing Committee could be offering limited Financial Support to applicants who are unable to pay the fee or who need a small stipend to improve internet connection. Access to sufficient technology, including a device, is required to apply to this event. Please note that this stipend will not include the provision of any technology, but rather focus on support with the connection. Once selected, delegates will be asked to fill out a form to request this Financial Support, and it will only be granted when deemed necessary and possible by the Organizing Committee.
Financial Support In-Person Setting
We are excited to announce that we are bringing the ‘Changemakers Scholarship’ back. This scholarship will make it possible for delegates from LMICs to receive partial financial support for their travel expenses. To apply for this opportunity, please indicate that you are interested in the application form and fill out the required additional motivation.
What is expected from Youth PreWHA participants?
- It is expected that delegates will be able to attend the entire duration of the Youth PreWHA, including the post-WHA follow-up session, i.e.
Weekend 1: 7th of May (Online)
Weekend 2: 14th and 15th of May (Online)
Weekend 3: 18, 19th 20th of May (Hybrid)
Follow up: 4th of June 2022.
- Fully commit to the Youth PreWHA preparations, contribute to the implementation of the advocacy strategy that will be developed during the Youth PreWHA, and sustain involvement during follow-up. This will include readings, online meetings and preparatory projects. Suggested reading materials are as follows:
- Youth PreWHA 2019 Report (Link)
- WHA 72 Report (Link)
- Youth PreWHA 2020 Report (Link)
- WHA 73 Report (Link)
- Youth PreWHA and WHA 2021 (Link)
- Delegates are expected to commit some time in the lead up to the Youth PreWHA/WHA between February and May, commit to completing pre-event reading and spend some time preparing statements and organising WHA scheduling before the event, which may involve a time commitment of two hours per week on average in the lead up to May.
Should you have any questions, or need extra information about the application process and the event, please do not hesitate to check the frequently asked questions here or contact the Organizing Committee at [email protected]. In a few days, we will update our website at https://ifmsa.org/youth-pre-world-health-assembly/. Here you will find this information and a whole lot more about the Youth PreWHA and World Health Assembly.
We are looking forward to reading your applications!
On behalf of the whole Youth PreWHA 2022 Organizing Committee,
Hamaiyal, Juliette, Gabriela, Olga, Nutella, Meji, Adham and Iris
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