CANDIDATURE FOR VICE-PRESIDENT FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS CLAUDEL P-DESROSIERS
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MOTIVATION LETTER Dear IFMSA Family, It is a real pleasure and honour for me to present to you my candidature for the office of VicePresident for External Affairs of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations. The reasons motivating my candidature are in fact quite simple. I have found in IFMSA what I truly feel valuable in an organisation: energy, passionate members, effective mobilisation, endless diversity and a sincere strive for change. It is with those things in mind that I will carry out my term, should I be elected. My name is Claudel P-Desrosiers, I am a medical student at the University of Montreal and the current IFMSA Think Global Initiative Coordinator. I am also the incumbent IFMSA-Quebec President, leading a national team of more than 70 officers for a second term. I have always had a strong interest in global issues, with a personal background in politics, social activism and human rights. I have developed, through a constant involvement in the local, national and international spheres, an expertise in global health, advocacy, social change and youth implication. IFMSA has allowed me to meet passionate students who transformed my hope of being a physician into a dream of being a dedicated global health doctor for whom the profession is not only a title, but a social commitment. My two terms as IFMSA-Quebec President have been an amazing journey. One highlight has been a constant personal growth that has allowed me to develop good leadership and team management skills. My competencies in various fields, including strategic planning, fundraising, social media and advocacy have flourished. I have constantly pushed my limits further, only to bring the organisation to a more professional and sustainable level. Working in this stimulating and empowering setting at the national level lead me to firmly believe that I had the capacity to give the same level of energy to the International Federation. I believe I am prepared to assume the functions of an IFMSA Executive Board Member, and I think that External Affairs are a good fit for my skills and past experience: this is why you are reading these lines today. As the coordinator of the IFMSA Task Force on Mission and Vision, I have contributed to the successful adoption of the first vision in more than ten years for the Federation and of an updated mission that truly represents the members globally. This year, I have the chance to colead the Think Global Initiative: our priorities are to engage with members and to answer their needs by increasing our presence at IFMSA meetings, by strengthening the policy work part, by revising our social media strategy accordingly, and by equally involving the five regions.
Being active in IFMSA in the past years has helped me gain a firm and valuable insight on the Federation’s strengths and challenges. Our Federation is at a turning point with the development of a strategic plan for 2014-2017. Hence, the plan of action that I have developed answers those needs and abides with IFMSA’s new strategic plan. The four focus points, detailed below in my plan of action, are: sustainable fundraising and partnerships; building capacity in external representation; IFMSA outreach and visibility; and team dynamics.
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MOTIVATION LETTER To actively improve what is present while solidifying what has been done for the past 63 years is on top of my priorities. Identifying problems and delivering creative solutions are some of my skills. I offer professionalism, dedication, time and energy. I commit myself to be a reliable and supportive person, a fun and dynamic team player, and a trustworthy board member that strives for excellence. Above all, I am always keen to learn and to grow as a person and as a leader. During the 2014-2015 term, I will have the full support of my university, my NMO, as well as that of friends and family. I will be taking a year off school, which will profit me with a flexible schedule. Moreover, this will allow me to best manage my responsibilities and availability, as well as to easily travel and engage with you, NMOs, and with IFMSA key partners. The Federation has a long history of empowering medical students to tackle global issues that know no boundaries and that matter to our generation. As IFMSA grows stronger with the years thanks to the dedication and work of its members around the globe, I firmly believe that External Affairs are a key for our partners globally to see our massive potential and willingness to shape a sustainable and healthy future. We are doing fantastic things that we should be really proud of. Our energy, motivation and innovative ideas are needed. Being part of a team that represents 1.3 million medical students worldwide is perhaps not an easy task, but I strongly believe I have all the required skills to provide our Federation with an efficient fundraising plan, capacity-building oriented strategies, and an advocacy platform that will allow its members to reach their goals and to turn their dreams into reality. Dear NMO Presidents, IFMSA delegates and members, I truly hope you will enjoy reading this candidature. Sincerely yours,
Claudel P-Desrosiers IFMSA-Québec President 2012/14 IFMSA Think Global Coordinator 2013/14 claudel.pdesrosiers@gmail.com +1.438.838.0594 “ What I’ve experienced is that I can’t know the future. I can’t know if anything I do will change what happens tomorrow. I can’t know with certainty, but what I do know is if I do nothing, nothing will change.” – Dr James Orbinski
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PLAN OF ACTION If elected as Vice-President for External Affairs, I would like to implement the following four points as key priorities throughout the 2014-2015 term. That being said, I will commit myself to solidifying the work of the past years and to adapting this plan of action to the upcoming IFMSA 3-year Strategic Plan.
Sustainable Fundraising and Partnerships Building Capacity in External Representation IFMSA Outreach and Visibility Team Dynamics
Please notice that the following is a preliminary plan of action. Therefore, feedback and suggestions for improvement are more than welcome, as I am dedicated to working for a Federation that represents its members’ global interests. I suggest a full review of this action plan after elections and before the beginning of the term, as to ensure continuity and common orientations with the EB-elect. I will always ensure that my primary focus stays in sync the NMOs’ needs and expectations.
Sustainable Fundraising and Partnerships One of the Vice-President for External Affairs’ main tasks is to lead the IFMSA Fundraising Strategy. Ensuring a sustainable fundraising strategy will allow the Federation to meet a number of basic needs, from a permanent paid secretariat to more technology, projects and training support. Furthermore, building viable partnerships maximizes IFMSA’s impact and will ensure united voices to shape the healthy future we want. Regarding Fundraising: Screen possibilities to identify funding targets and update the grant database (with IFMSA President and Liaison Officers); Follow-up on the fundraising strategy developed by the 2013-2014 VPE team to ensure its full implementation and success (with IFMSA Treasurer); Develop and update “how-to” guides on fundraising, approaching potential sponsors, writing grant applications and marketing (with VPE Assistant Team); Evaluate opportunities of funding from IFMSA Alumni and Physicians around the globe (with the IFMSA Alumni Director); Offer assistance to the General Assembly and Regional Meeting Organizing Committees for the needed fundraising (with VPE Regional Team); Become more familiar with the current grant applications and recent successes and more problematic issues prior to the start of my term; Follow-up with the US Tax Exemption & ECFMG Issues (with IFMSA Treasurer). Regarding Partnerships: Carry out impact assessments of IFMSA policies and projects as a powerful tool to engage in long-lasting partnerships with agencies and organisations;
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PLAN OF ACTION
Establish new contacts with large multinational organisations and non-profit organisations working in the same fields as IFMSA; Explore the benefits of establishing contact with diverse agencies (promotion, trainings, international events, etc); Support the work of NMOs wishing to contact governmental agencies at the national level and support the work of IFMSA Liaison Officers in extending their network of partnerships.
Building Capacity in External Representation One of my key priorities for 2014-2015 is building capacity in terms of external affairs, from helping newer NMOs in developing a fundraising strategy to offering a constant support to IFMSA delegations to meetings. Doing so will enhance our skills, competencies and abilities as so to achieve measurable and sustainable outcomes. It’s one essential key for a stronger and more united Federation. Toward National Members Organisations: Encourage and support NMOs to partake in meetings happening at the National level; Offer online and in-person trainings to NMOs on external representation, fundraising, policy writing, corporative identity and media strategy; Develop guides and training videos that can be easily disseminated at the local and national levels on external affairs (with the VPE team). Toward IFMSA Delegations: Provide training on external representation to IFMSA delegates when needed (background knowledge, lobbying and public speaking skills); Take part in preparations of major external events (such as the World Health Assembly and WHO Regional Meetings) to ensure the voice of delegations represents the various views and perspectives of NMOs; Support established preparation workshops (such as the Pre-WHA) and transfer this concept to other events if found relevant; Integrate the delegations in IFMSA Policy Plan (including follow-up strategy); Support delegations by ensuring quality and integrity in IFMSA statements and submissions for panels, side-events and/or workshops.
IFMSA Outreach and Visibility IFMSA has the incredible capacity of gathering perspectives on medical students’ most pressing issues from all around the world. Our daily work, from our standing committees’ activities to our exchange programs, is shaping the future medical leaders. Mastering the concepts of outreach and visibility will only positively impact the Federation’s work. Many tools are to be used, such as press releases, corporative identity, website, blog, social media, and policy papers. I believe the Vice-President for External Affairs to be a key player in getting the word out about the Federation and increasing our visibility worldwide.
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PLAN OF ACTION Marketing, Promotion and Corporate Identity: Strengthen the press release system and develop a system to track their impact by gathering data and gauging the response of readers online; Activate an IFMSA online store directly on the website as to sell IFMSA promotion material (t-shirts, pens, stickers) outside of IFMSA events; Maintain the Corporate Identity of IFMSA at all levels of the Federation and recognize that our identity is more than a font and logos: it goes all the way to how we conduct ourselves and communicate with externals and partners; Produce appealing and high-quality publications from MSI to the monthly E-newsletter, and assist the Publications Team in raising the profile to external partners (with IFMSA PubSDD); Review IFMSA’s current promotional materials and develop new tools and materials if found necessary (an IFMSA App for instance); Support and maintain a generic IFMSA General Assembly sponsorship prospectus and promotional booklet (with Organizing Committees). Media Strategy: Analyse our current social media techniques to sharpen our presence on the web; Develop a media strategy containing multiple means of utilizing social media to target externals, local members and potential partners; Determine successful ways to manage IFMSA social media platforms; (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, WordPress, etc); Evaluate the possibility of promoting IFMSA through the use of videos (activities, updates); Develop media contact in countries where IFMSA is holding General Assemblies and Regional Meetings (with the Organizing Committees); Follow-up with Microblau and the website management platform so it fits with our needs and expectations (with IFMSA NTSDD); Distribute IFMSA Policy Statements through the means of immediate press releases after their adoptions at General Assemblies.
Team Dynamics Being part of the IFMSA Executive Board is more than being a leader of the Federation; the beating heart of the position lays in good team dynamics, within the Executive Board, the Team of Officials, the VPE International Team and the NMOs. From the very moments following elections, I will work on team building, bringing a positive and energetic attitude along the way. I am a reliable person who goes beyond obligations and I promise to do my best to administer this great Federation responsibly. Core Values: Cooperation, Reliability, Respect, Professionalism, Teamwork
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PLAN OF ACTION Toward the Executive Board: Efficiency in decision-making; Professional communication; Team spirit and leadership; Constant availability. Toward the Team of Officials: Support the work of the Support Divisions (individual and group meetings, assistance upon request); Support and lead the Officials in matters related to external representation; Implement the 2014-2017 Strategic Plan (and revise the later, if pertinent); Include the Officials in decision-making processes, when relevant; Foster a positive attitude towards fellow team members.
Toward the VPE Team: Continuously work for the betterment of IFMSA together with the VPE teams (fundraising team, media production team, policy statement review committee and press coordinator team); Assure constant availability and support; provide resources to strengthen the team’s overall work. Towards NMOs and IFMSA Members: Focus on providing concrete support for all members of the Federation; Develop tools to strengthen NMOs’ work at the local and national levels in terms of external representation and fundraising; Work together with the IFMSA President and Liaison Officers to maximise our relations with external partners as so to offer new and constant resources to NMOs and active members; Offer a communication channel for all whom have questions and/or more specific needs regarding external representation, policy writing and fundraising; Ensure meaningful NMO Management Sessions during IFMSA General Assemblies and Regional Meetings.
Remarks on the Redefinition of the Vice-President’s Tasks As this candidature is being submitted, I am fully aware that some bylaw changes might be submitted in due time to better define the tasks of the IFMSA Vice-President for External Affairs, and that a discussion on the matter is most likely to happen during the March Meeting 2014 Presidents’ Sessions. The above plan of action is based on the current tasks as according to bylaws 7.2.5, but I would be more than happy to revise it after the March Meeting according to NMO Presidents’ wishes and opinions.
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CURRICULUM VITAE Full name: Claudel Pétrin-Desrosiers Date of Birth: April 10th, 1992 Place of Birth: Gatineau, Québec, Canada Nationality: Canada ADDRESS 3210-4 Edouard-Montpetit Montreal (Québec) H3T 1J9 Languages: French and English
Phone : +1.438.838.0594 Other : +1.819.595.8737 Email: claudel.pdesrosiers@gmail.com Twitter : @c_pdesrosiers
EDUCATION Medicinae Doctor, University of Montreal Expected Date of Graduation: June 2017 (one-year delay) 2009 – 2011 Pre-University Degree, Health Science, Humanities and Arts Cégep de l’Outaouais (graduated with honors) 2011 – …
SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARDS
Exceptional Contribution to Quebec Society, Quebec Government, November 2013 Youth Ambassador of Montreal, Youth Forum of Montreal, June 2013 Laureate Forces Avenir, “Personality of the Year”, October 2012 Lieutenant Governor Youth Medal, Province of Quebec, May 2012 Social Involvement Scholarship, March 2012 Leader per excellence Award, Cegep de l’Outaouais, May 2011 $ 4,000 Scholarship from the Millennium Scholarship Foundation, Canada
STUDENT WORK – HEALTH, MEDICINE & IFMSA 2012/14 Vice-President for International Affairs, Quebec Federation of Medical Students 2012/14 President, International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations – Quebec Have represented all Quebec medical students both locally and internationally. Have leaded a national team of more than 70 officers. Have developed the organisation advocacy division and has instituted the first strategic plan. Have lead more than 5 delegations to international meetings. Our mission is to improve health here and abroad.
2013/14 Coordinator, IFMSA Think Global Initiative Think Global is an IFMSA initiative project that wishes to develop a network of young medical students who are empowering to act on global health issues. It equips students with core knowledge and understanding of global health issues and skills to take action, so as to train global leaders and advocates for medical students worldwide.
2011/14 Active Member of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations
Coordinator, pre-general assembly workshops (MM2013, AM2013, MM2014) Coordinator, pre-regional meeting of the Americas (RM2013, RM2014) Coordinator, IFMSA Task force on Mission and Vision 2012-2014 Co-coordinator, IFMSA Small Working Group on Post-2015 2013-2014 Delegate to the UN Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals 2013 Consultant, IFMSA Small Working Group on Projects 2013-2014 Projects Regional Assistant for the Americas 2012-2013 Member, IFMSA Small Working Group on advocacy support division 2012-2013 Certified IFMSA Trainer since February 2012
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CURRICULUM VITAE RELEVANT CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS 2014/03
IFMSA 63rd General Assembly,Tunisia
Co-coordinator of a preGA on post-2015 and of the theme events sessions
2014/02
IFMSA-Quebec Training Weekend
Main Coordinator and trainer for the advocacy and policy stream
2013/10
World Health Summit, Berlin Germany
Co-author of the abstract “Place of Health in Sustainable Development Negotiations
2013/10 2013/09 2013/08
Autumn National Congress, IFMSA-Quebec, Quebec City Autumn Meeting, Canada Federation of Medical Students, Vancouver IFMSA 62nd August General Assembly, Santiago Chile
Co-Coordinator of the preGAs“To ensure IFMSA Excels” and “The Future we Want”
2013/06
UN Open-Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals, NYC
Delegate to the IFMSA and the Major Group of Children and Youth
2013/05 2013/04
Spring National Congress, IFMSA-Quebec, Sherbrooke, Canada Canadian Conference on Medical Education, Quebec
Co-author of the abstract “Peer education projects: two-way learning”
2013/04 2013/04 2013/03
Global Health & Innovation Conference, Unite for Sight, USA Global Health Colloquium, IFMSA-Quebec, Quebec Annual Conference of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health
Co-author of the abstract “Global Health Ambassadors In-Training”
2013/03
IFMSA 62nd March General Assembly, USA
Co-coordinator of a preGA on global health equity, advocacy and climate change
2013/02
National Summit on Higher Education, Quebec
Served as the only representative for all Quebec medical students
2013/02
IFMSA-Quebec Training New Trainers Weekend
Main coordinator and trainer for leadership, advocacy and management sessions
2013/01
IFMSA Regional Meeting of the Americas, Salvador
Co-coordinator af a preGA on global health equity
2012/11 2012/10 2012/10 2012/09 2012/08 2012/04 2012/03 2012/01 2011/10
Annual Days of Public Health, INSPQ, Montreal (Québec) Global Health Advocacy Training Weekend, CFMS, Ottawa Canadian Conference on Global Health, CSIH, Ottawa (Canada) Autumn Meeting, Canada Federation of Medical Students, Winnipeg IFMSA 61st August General Assembly, India Spring National Congress, IFMSA-Quebec, Montreal, Canada Global Health Colloquium, IFMSA-Québec, Montréal IFMSA Regional Meeting of the Americas, Peru Autumn National Congress, IFMSA-Quebec, Quebec City
OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE 2013/14 Blogger for the Huffington Post Canada-Québec Permanent and institutionalized blog. Topics: health, students issues, global challenges, politics.
2012/10 World University Services of Canada (WUSC), Ottawa Invited Speaker on Effective Mobilizing, Advocacy and Youth Voices for Social Change
2012/13 Spokes-person and writer of Pour un Printemps, Quebec Citizen book calling for change on the Quebec Social Uprising of Spring 2012.
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CURRICULUM VITAE 2011/12 Youth Parliament of Québec Acted as a National Assembly Member in a non partisan simulation at the National Assembly of Quebec
2010/12 Volunteer and Training, Chantiers Jeunessse, Quebec Participated in work camps (Germany, Turkey). Coordinator of the pre-departure training.
2009/12 Amnesty International, Quebec Invited Guest Speaker at the Annual Youth Congress. Trainer on Health as a Human Rights. Local campaign
leader and investigator on the winter 2012 national campaign. 2005/12 Solidarité-Haïti (NGO based in Quebec) Leader of the Youth Branch. Coordinator of two fundraising shows. Guest speaker at the various events
2000/12 Violin Player, Teacher and Performer Have played in more than a dozen shows and fundraising events
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS / MEDIA Climate and Health: a call for action from tomorrow’s global leaders, Plos, November 2013 Place of Health in the Sustainable Development Negotiations, The Lancet, October 2013 Youth Voices Must Resonate, Huffington Post Impact, 2013 How does health fit into the post-2015 world?, Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research, 2013 Claudel P-Desrosiers, the hope for change, Inspiro Media, June 2013 Refugee care: we are standing up to say that this is wrong, Huffington Post, June 2013 De leur côté du rideau (From their side of view), Idées, Le Devoir, February 2013 Claudel P-Desrosiers, Personality of the Year, Forces Avenir, October 2013 Protecting Health from Climate Change, Medical Students’ International 26, August 2012 Sustainable Development and Human Health, Pulse, June 2012 Pour un Printemps, Citizen Book (Promotional Trailer), Boite Rouge, May 2012 Croire que le changement est possible (Change is Possible), Info07, May 2012 Apposer sa signature au nom des droits et libertés (Sign for liberty), Info07, March 2011 IFMSA BLOG POSTS AMSA-Philippines answer to supertyphoon Haiyan, November 2013 Protecting and Promoting Health in the face of climate change, November 2013 World Health Summit: a global health experience, October 2013 Taking steps forward: adoption a vision and mission, September 2013 Youth Voices must Resonate, June 2013 4th open group group on SDGs to kick off in New York on Monday, June 2013 PreRM: Global Health Equity and Health Systems in Americas, January 2013 GENERAL FIELDS OF INTEREST Global/Public Health, Advocacy, Politics, Youth Empowerment, Social Equity and Music PERSONAL SKILLS Attentive leader, dynamic and creative team player, hard worker, endless energy and motivation.
Please do approach me during the March Meeting for any questions you may have and/or email me at claudel.pdesrosiers@gmail.com!
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ATTESTATION OF C.V. COMPONENTS Dearest National Member Organizations, As the incumbent IFMSA-Québec Vice-President for Internal Affairs, I would like to express our NMO’s unconditional support of Claudel P-Desrosiers’s candidacy for the office of IFMSA VicePresident for External Affairs, for the upcoming 2014-2015 term. On behalf of IFMSA-Quebec, I attest all elements detailed in Claudel’s curriculum vitae to be true, that is to say that she has in fact held all the positions listed and participated in the activities aforementioned. Throughout the years, I have had the opportunity to witness Claudel’s progression as an outstanding student leader and activist. Her constant leadership and integrity have always been a personal source of inspiration. Her passion, sense of duty and teamwork ethics have governed every project she has invested herself in. Her success in developing new partnerships with national health agencies was a notable achievement, as it placed IFMSA-Québec in a strategic position to get itself known throughout our province and to introduce an advocacy platform in our NMO. Working closely with her, I couldn’t help but witness her passion, devotion and love for the Federation through the multiple positions she held within it, starting as a Local Officer for Global Health and quickly taking upon her more and more responsibilities: coordinating pre-GA workshops, participating in small working groups, leading a successful taskforce, taking part in IFMSA delegations to the UN, and more recently leading the Think Global Initiative; all this while leading our NMO with brio. Claudel’s degree of active participation and constant collaboration in the Federation, both nationally and internationally, throughout these many years is a demonstration of her immense passion for our family. She brought much needed fresh air to IFMSA-Québec, allowing us to celebrate this year our 10th anniversary with great success. Claudel is a true inspiration to her colleagues. Her recent nomination as a Youth Ambassador of Montreal testifies to her ability to serve as a model of social activism for not only the medical students within our NMO, but also for all the youth of Québec. In accordance with Bylaw 3.12.3., I hereby confirm the veracity of all positions and realizations mentioned in Claudel’s candidature. I, along with the 3700 medical students of my NMO, proudly and warmly support her candidacy to the office of IFMSA Vice-President for External Affairs. On behalf of the IFMSA-Québec 2013-2014 Executive Board,
David Alexandre Galiano Vice-President for Internal Affairs , IFMSA-Québec vpi@ifmsa.qc.ca
SEE YOU IN TUNISIA!
IFMSA UNITES MEDICAL STUDENTS WORLDWIDE TO LEAD INITIATIVES THAT IMPACT POSITIVELY THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. IFMSA REPRESENTS THE OPINIONS AND IDEAS OF FUTURE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD OF GLOBAL HEALTH, AND WORKS IN COLLABORATION WITH EXTERNAL PARTNERS. IFMSA BUILDS CAPACITY THROUGH TRAINING, PROJECTS AND EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITIES, WHILE EMBRACING CULTURAL DIVERSITY SO AS TO SHAPE A SUSTAINABLE AND HEALTHY FUTURE.