Youth PreWHA Background
The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO. It is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board. The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget. The Health Assembly is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.
Every year, IFMSA hosts a Youth Pre World Health Assembly (Youth PreWHA) in the days preceding the WHA. During these days, the IFMSA Delegation to the World Health Assembly (WHA) is prepared to advocate and ensure the voice of youth is being heard at the most high-level global health decision-making event. Launched in 2013, the Youth PreWHA has become an important event for the IFMSA and the broader youth community engaged in health. The event aims to educate and empower future leaders in health while developing a collaborative approach to youth engagement at the WHA.
Academic Pillars
Who are we?
Program Alumni
Youth Pre World Health Assembly Alumni are critical thinkers and are motivated and invested in working for a better world. For many of them, Youth PreWHA was the beginning of their careers as global health advocates and leaders.
Changemaker Scholars
The IFMSA strives to reduce financial and other barriers to participation for all its members. The Changemaker Scholarship Program provides a unique opportunity to invest directly in the bright future of a Youth PreWHA delegate.
Organizing Committee
Every year, a team of motivated youth works towards ensuring the quality of Youth PreWHA.
FAQ
What are the aims of Youth PreWHA?
As global health governance is a complex field, there is a need to provide high-quality training to youth, to strengthen their health advocacy efforts as they endeavor to represent the youth voice. The Youth Pre World Health Assembly (Youth PreWHA) does exactly this. Held over multiple days prior to the World Health Assembly (WHA), it is a unique opportunity for youth health advocates from all over the world to develop skills, gain knowledge, and contribute to collective advocacy.
The Youth PreWHA revolves around analyzing and exploring contemporary debates pertinent to the issues tabled in the agenda for the WHA. We also develop the necessary soft skills to be successful advocates in the global health arena. This allows participants to be critical thinkers and influential advocates at the WHA.
Who can attend Youth PreWHA?
The Youth PreWHA is a high-level opportunity that each year prepares around 60 delegates from all around the world to represent and meaningfully engage at the highest level of the global health decision-making table at the World Health Assembly (WHA) by the WHO. The delegates have to represent IFMSA National Member Organization or other Youth/Student Organizations.
IFMSA organized its first-ever Youth PreWHA in the year 2013 and ever since then each year we bring together young people around the world to learn from high-level speakers and develop their skills of advocacy and leadership.
How can I participate in the Youth PreWHA? How can I apply for the changemaker scholarship?
Usually, the application process starts from October to January via a shared form. Changemaker Scholarships are available for hybrid and on-site event settings. To apply for this opportunity, please indicate that you are interested in the application form and fill out the required additional motivation. The participants for 2022 Edition have been already chosen. Follow our social media and website to not miss next year’s opportunity
I have not attended a Youth PreWHA/WHA previously and do not have any international advocacy experience, may I still apply?
Of course! We encourage participants from all backgrounds and of all experience levels to apply. Having experience in global health, not just the topics that are being discussed, will help you appreciate the event and its contents better!
What are the tasks of IFMSA Delegates at the WHA?
We would suggest you refer to previous Youth PreWHA and especially WHA reports for further information regarding all the ways IFMSA delegates are involved and contribute to IFMSA’s advocacy efforts. Reports from the meetings may be found in the section „Learn about the impact of Youth PreWHA”
I want to support the event - how can I do that?
Thank you so much for considering supporting young changemakers! We are exceptionally proud of the capacity of our event to provide flexible options to you and believe the Youth PreWHA is an opportunity not to be missed. We want to make sure that the sponsorship opportunity is tailored to your needs. We developed the sponsorship packages to introduce our resources – find the sponsorship prospectus here. We are able to customize this experience to meet your expectations. Please email us at [email protected] and we would be delighted to work with you to deliver what you might be after. We look forward to a great collaboration!
Media Center
Blogposts and Press Releases
- All
- Calls
- Youth PreWHA Blog
Call for Youth PreWHA 2022 & World Health Assembly Delegates
We will host an Open Space Discussion: Meet your Youth PreWHA Alumni session happening on the 20th of November, at 15 GMT where you can [...]
Call for Youth PreWHA Workshop 2021 Participants and World Health Assembly Delegates
Dear IFMSA family, We would like to announce the opening of the call for applications for one of the main […]
Call for Youth PreWHA 2020 Participants and WHA Delegates
What is the World Health Assembly? The World Health Assembly (WHA) is the annual gathering of the highest decision-making body […]
Call for Youth PreWHA 2019 Participants and WHA Delegates
What is the World Health Assembly? The World Health Assembly (WHA) is the annual gathering of the highest decision-making body […]
PreWHA 2018: A Retrospective View
Being a delegate at the 71st World Health Assembly (WHA) is turning a dream into something real. Three years ago […]