What is the World Health Assembly?
- The World Health Assembly (WHA) is the annual gathering of the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization. It is attended by delegations from almost 200 Member States as well as recognized international NGOs and other partners.
- The 73rd WHA will be held from 17th to 21st May 2020, in Geneva, Switzerland. As in previous years, IFMSA will be organising a Youth PreWHA Workshop from 13th to 16th May 2020, just before the WHA. 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 workshop aims to empower and strengthen the advocacy skill set of future health leaders as well as increasing the participants’ knowledge about global health topics that are central to the 73rd World Health Assembly. Furthermore, the event aims to improve the youth participation at the WHA and strengthen the voice of youth during global health negotiations.
- This year, the Academic Program will be centred on three key Academic Pillars:
- Universal Health Coverage,
- Meaningful Youth Participation
- Global Health Education
There will also be an opportunity for delegates to join advocacy working groups on important issues such as human resources for health, climate change and the environment, migrant and refugee health, pandemic preparedness and communicable diseases and many more!
- Due to impending changes within the WHO, a spot at the pre-WHA event may not guarantee attendance at the WHA event. The OC will inform selected applicants about their participation status accordingly.
How to apply?
For IFMSA members:
- Step 1: Prepare your Candidature Form: (click). The Candidature Form (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 CF should be ready before filling out the Application Form as you will be asked to upload it in the Application Form. A correctly filled CF is a requirement for your application to be considered valid.
- Required data to fill in the Candidature Form correctly:
- Title of Meeting: IFMSA Youth PreWHA Workshop and World Health Assembly
- Date of Meeting: 13.-21. May 2020
- Step 2: Fill out the following Application Form: (click).
For IADS, IVSA, IPSF, and other Youth/Student Organization members:
- Step 1: Prepare your Candidature Form: (click). The Candidature Form (CF) is an official document required for IFMSA processes, such as applying for opportunities and delegations. The document needs to be downloaded, then signed and stamped by your Youth/Student Organization President or designated Representative. If the candidate is the President of the respective organization, the confirmation must be signed by a suitable alternative board member of said organization. Your CF should be ready before filling out the Application Form below as you will be asked to upload it in the Application Form. A correctly filled CF is a requirement for your application to be considered valid.
- Required data to fill in the Candidature Form correctly:
- Title of Meeting: IFMSA Youth PreWHA Workshop and World Health Assembly
- Date of Meeting: 13.-21. May 2020
- Step 2: Fill out the following Application Form: (click).
Deadline for applications is the 12th January 2020, 23:59 GMT. Accepted applicants will be notified no later than mid-February. You may wish to refer to the IFMSA new How to Write an Application Manual 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:
- Motivation for attending the PreWHA/WHA, and how you will use this experience in the future.
- Relevant experience and interest in global health – please note that international experience is not required, and applicants with local/national experience are welcome to apply.
- Understanding of IFMSA’s and youth organizations’ advocacy work, including the role of young people in global health advocacy.
Note that the evaluation of the received applications will be performed objectively with consideration of the criteria mentioned above. Each application will be marked thrice to ensure the unbiased approach. Moreover, strict gender balance, regional representation and subregional representation (eg. by national income) quotas will be applied in the selection process.
Registration fee:
- The registration fee for the Youth PreWHA is being finalised as we confirm logistics. The Organising Committee works hard to reduce costs for participants. If you are successful in your application, you will be alerted to the final cost as soon as possible.
- This fee will cover all costs including food, accommodation and materials at the Youth PreWHA. Moreover, The Organizing Committee provides accommodation during the World Health Assembly for interested delegates.
- Attending both PreWHA & WHA will cost between 300 and 500 Euros in total. The cost of PreWHA only will be between 200 and 350 Euros in total. The price-point is dependent upon WHA attendance – the accepted participants will be notified accordingly.
- Full payment would be expected around late February, more information on payment and registration will be shared with accepted applicants.
What is expected from Youth PreWHA participants?
- It is expected that delegates will be able to attend both the PreWHA and entire duration of the WHA.
- Fully commit to the Youth PreWHA preparations, contribute to the implementation of the advocacy strategy that will be developed during PreWHA, and sustain involvement during the post-WHA follow-up. This will include readings, online meetings and preparatory projects.
- Delegates are expected to commit some time in the lead up to the WHA, including some online meetings 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 in the lead up to May.
Previous PreWHA & WHA reports:
After selection, IFMSA can provide a support letter, to help with personal fundraising and to obtain a visa. Should you have any questions or need extra information about the application process and the event, please do not hesitate to contact the Organizing Committee at [email protected].
Looking forward to reading your applications!
On behalf of the whole PreWHA Organizing Committee.
Recent Comments