In just under two days, IFMSA will launch the 4th Annual Youth Pre-World Health Assembly Workshop, whereby 50 young health advocates will gather in the beautiful city of Geneva, Switzerland, over the course of 5 days, to learn about the inner workings of the World Health Organizations, gain new skills in health advocacy, and hope to make their voices heard at the preparations for the 70th World Health Assembly, which kicks off right after the workshop and goes on until May 31, 2017.
The Pre-WHA workshop is organized this year with the support of the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, the Global Health Workforce Network, UNAIDS, the PACT, and the StopTB partnership.
Throughout the coming two weeks, multiple satellite events will be organized parallel to the WHA, and IFMSA is proud to take part in several of them.
1. Introduction to the World Health Assembly: A Briefing of Delegates
21-MAY-2017 at 15:00 – Maison de la Paix, Graduate Institute, Geneva
The event will present important elements of WHA procedures and governance, including the process for the election of the next Director-General; outline the relevance of the WHA for different stakeholders, how they prepare and engage with each other; and provide an overview of key issues facing this Assembly. With the participation of WHO experts, topics under discussion include, among others, the program budget, access to medicines, health emergencies, nutrition, and SDGs/UHC.
2. The Role of the Next Generation in Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases
25-MAY-2017 at 18:00 – Salle IX, Palais des Nations, Geneva
This is a roundtable discussion organized by IFMSA and is supported by The Commonwealth, Commonwealth Pharmacists Association, Plan International, Young Professional Chronic Disease Network, Commonwealth Sport for Development and Peace Network, Commonwealth Youth Health Network, RTI International, NCD Alliance, and NCD Child. Marie Hauerslev, IFMSA Vice-President for External Affairs, will moderate the discussion, with Skander Essafi, IFMSA Liaison Officer for Public Health issues taking part.
3. Health Literacy and Social Mobilization to Achieve the SDGs
18-MAY-2017 – Palais des Nations, Geneva
IFMSA was invited to be one of the panelists in this event, which aims at taking forward the key messages of the international conferences held in Shanghai (9GCHP) and in Canada (6th Global Forum on Health Promotion) and building on the legacy of the Alliance history as well as look into the future how Civil Society can make a meaningful contribution to the achievement of the SDGs, so that Global “Dreams” become Local Realities.
4. No Health without Peace for Palestinians and Palestine Refugees
24-MAY-2017 at 19:00 – Ballroom AED, Intercontinental Geneva Hotel, Geneva e
This event is organized by The Lancet and UNRWA, in collaboration with the WHO and IFMSA. Marian Sedlak, IFMSA Liaison Officer for Human Rights and Peace issues, will take part in the panel that will explore the factors that negatively affect the health and well-being of Palestinians and Palestine refugees, who live under extremely volatile and difficult conditions, especially in a region where occupation, conflicts, and instability are prevailing.
5. Collaboration between IFMSA and Young Key Populations
21-MAY-2017 at 12:00 – Villa Barton, Graduate Institute, Geneva
This event is organized by IFMSA in collaboration with UNAIDS and The PACT. It is an open dialogue between future health workforce and young key populations, moderated by Ruben Pages from UNAIDS. The event aims at adopting a Declaration of Commitment by medical students attending the Pre-WHA to strengthen the capacity and sensitize medical students on HIV and SRHR non-discrimination in the healthcare setting and advocate for the rights of young populations most affected by HIV.
6. Catalyzing Global Action to Stop Discrimination in Health Care
25-MAY-2017 at 12:00 – Espace Henri Dunant, ICRC Museum, Geneva
This IFMSA-endorsed session is being organized by the Netherlands mission and supported by a long list of member states and organizations such as the International Federation of the Red Cross and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). It also receives technical support from UNAIDs and WHO Health Workforce. The objective of this side event is to strengthen political commitment for the implementation of the Agenda for Zero Discrimination in Health Care at all levels while building evidence, promoting accountability and broadening partnerships for increased action.
7. Breaking Down Barriers to Youth Empowerment:
24-MAY-2017 at 17:00 – Le Restaurant, Graduate Institute, Geneva
The increased focus on young people, particularly adolescents, and their health has culminated with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the United Nations Secretary General’s new Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (GSWCAH). In this context, strengthening the evidence base on young people’s sexual and reproductive health is critical to advance global and regional efforts and to strengthen country-level action and the overall health and development of societies.
In this light, the convening of the 70th session of the World Health Assembly presents a unique opportunity for highlighting young people’s critical role as young agents of change and set a scene for their voices to be heard. In the margin of the 70th World Health Assembly Denmark will thus convene a youth panel with inspiring young representatives working within the field SRHR to share their experiences on challenges, possibilities, and best practices. This panel will bring into play new perspectives and demonstrate the added value of meaningful youth participation for improving health outcomes and sustainable development.
Recent Comments