Content Editorial
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Message from the President
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Message from the SCOME-D p4 SRT 101 (SCOPE)
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This was WDD '09 (SCOPH) p6 HIV/AIDS
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SCORA & WAD '09
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From the SCORE-D
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EMR6
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eVAGUS The official IFMSA newsletter.
December 2009
eVAGUS | December 2009
Conferences
International NGO Conference UNESCO 30th Nov. - 2nd December; Paris, France http://www.unesco.org/
25th Meeting of the Programme Coordinating Board UNAIDS 8th - 10th 2009 Dec.; Geneva Switzerland http://bit.ly/7RxBfi 4th Dialogue on the recognition of NFE European Youth Forum "Where Non-Formal Education and Formal Education meet" 10th - 11th December 2009; Ghent, Belgium http://www.youthforum.org/en/home 3rd Meeting of the Youth Regional Network Assembly of European Regions "YRN’s Take on Youth Employment – in Times of Economic Crisis" 10th - 12th December 2009; Paris, France http://bit.ly/8eLx59
Editorial Dear IFMSA members, two months have passed since the last edi-
JPC on Youth meeting UNESCO 3rd December; Paris, France http://www.unesco.org/
tion of eVAGUS – IFMSA's electronic news-
Important deadlines
This December edition focuses on some
Earlsy Reg. IFMSA March Meeting 2010 Deadline 15th December 2009 http://www.thailandmm2010.org/
betes Day, page 6), present celebrations
Climate Change Conference United Nations 7th - 17th December, Copenhagen, Denmark http://en.cop15.dk/ WHO 126th Executive Board Session 18th - 23rd January 2010, Geneva, Switzerland http://bit.ly/5MVARx Informal Forum of Intertational Students Organizations (FISO) Meeting 2nd - 6th Dec. 2009; Lamezia Terme, Italy
www.ifmsa.org medical students worldwide
Child Family Health International Spring Scholarship Deadline 12th December 2009 http://www.cfhi.org Women Deliver Conference Scholarships Deadline 15th December 2009 http://bit.ly/1SwKcp International AIDS Conference 2010 Scholarships and Abstracts Deadline 10th February 2010 http://www.aids2010.org/ New Investigators in Global Health Call for Abstracts Deadline 1st December 2009 http://bit.ly/mjENw
letter – was published! Two months with exciting events, motivating meetings and periods of hard work. "highlights" of past activities (World Dia(World AIDS Day, pages 7 and 8) and future events (EMR regional meeting 6, page 10). I want to take this chance to thank everyone
The mission of IFMSA is to offer future physicians a comprehensive introduction to global health issues. Through our programs and opportunities, we develop culturally sensitive students of medicine, intend on influencing the transnational inequalities that shape the health of our planet.
who worked hard on those activities, and documented them for spreading the message of awaremess to the outside world. Choosing the pictures was a particular challenge, so "Thank you" to all who sent them. Special thanks to the Team of Officials and especially Melhim, for making sure this edition is published on time. Enjoy reading and happy WAD '09! Alexander Werni Publications SD Director 2009-2010
eVAGUS is an IFMSA publication © Portions of eVAGUS may be reproduced for non political, and non profit purposes mentioning the source provided. Notice: Every care has been taken in the preparation of these articles. Nevertheless, errors cannot always be avoided. IFMSA cannot accept any responsibility for any liability. The opinions expressed in eVAGUS are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of IFMSA.
Page 2
eVAGUS | December 2009
Message from the President
There had been some meetings…
IFMSA was also granted the participation
There will be more!
I believe that we should be very proud
of a delegation of medical students at the
Among many other upcoming meet-
of medical students’ activities in many
first World Health Summit, a high-profiled
ings, a delegation of IFMSA members is
major international events; which have
meeting held in Berlin. Same would ap-
preparing for the COP 15 negotiations
opened many doors for further coopera-
ply for numerous meetings organized
in Copenhagen, in order to present our
tion, new partnerships and offered oppor-
by the European Youth Forum in which
views in regards to Climate Change. We
Dear IFMSA members and
tunities to support further development of
we had IFMSA representatives taking
are preparing for the upcoming 126th
supporters,
our Federation and its members. In this
part; although I would like to stress on
WHO Executive Board Meeting in Ge-
Writing these lines, I found myself in a
period, five small delegations of medical
the League of Arab States Youth Forum
neva, where our triennial report is to be
very pleasant dilemma – what to single
students have worked on strengthening
which focused on Youth and Migration
reviewed and our official status to the
out or stress on out of numerous exciting
our partnership with the WHO by taking
and important events medical students
active part in the WHO Regional Session
were engaged in. A pleasant dilemma in-
meetings
deed, so I hope you will indulge me.
Hong Kong, Washington DC, Fez). Two
(Kathmandu,
Group photo "Team of Officials", TOM1, Amsterdam
Copenhagen,
WHO discussed. IFMSA is also invited for the 3rd year in a row to take part in the upcoming UNAIDS PCB meeting in Geneva.
IFMSA Officials took part in the UNESCO TOM 1
Youth Assembly in Paris, building bridg-
After an exciting sub-regional FINO
My personal favorite would be the first
es to other youth or student run organi-
meeting, all of us are very pleased with
meeting of the IFMSA Team of Officials,
zations under this umbrella.
the progress of preparations for the
held in Amsterdam; a very interesting
from the Human Rights Based Approach
upcoming IFMSA Regional Meetings,
and energizing meeting for our team’s
…in the past.
and the YFJ Council of Members in which
with session agendas getting their final
strategic planning and teambuilding. It
A group of medical students active in the
we participated as full members with vot-
shape, skills building trainings in their fi-
was a pleasure to work with a very mo-
field of medical research represented
ing rights. As a co-organizer, IFMSA and
nal stages and the overall excitement in
tivated and skilled group of Officials,
IFMSA at the 20th European Students’
its members have contributed greatly to
the air. You are all welcomed to take ac-
who are dedicating tremendous amount
Conference in Berlin. XIX FIGO World
the World Health Care Students’ Sympo-
tion and join us in all of our endeavors.
of time and energy to support their fel-
Congress in Johannesburg was for the
sium held in Alexandria; bringing togeth-
low colleagues across the globe and stir
first time ever open to medical students,
er students from all occupations related
IFMSA in the right direction.
a unique opportunity for a delegation of
to health care to discuss and find com-
medical students active in the field of re-
mon solutions for Urgent Care.
productive health to take an active role.
www.ifmsa.org medical students worldwide
On behalf of IFMSA Team of Officials, Silva Rukavina President 2009-2010
Page 3
eVAGUS | December 2009
Message from the SCOME-D
ing Committee Directors: we compared
Regional Meeting in Sudan, and I will be
our Plans of Action and discussed ways
leading the SCOME sessions there, the
for optimal collaboration. One of our main
thing that will give me great insight into
Dear IFMSA members,
goals for this year will be the cooperation
African SCOME projects and challenges.
dear SCOMEdians,
between Standing Committees, some-
A lot of things happened since the last Margot Weggemans SCOME-Director 2009-2010
thing you’ll definitely hear more about in
SCOME Wiki
the next months!
Last but not least, don’t forget that our
edition of eVAGUS and I will take this op-
SCOME wiki and email list are always
portunity to tell you about the main things
SCOME team 2009-2010
there. Please try to keep them updated,
that kept me busy in the last months.
Another big thing that happened was the
because with your input you can help
formation of the SCOME team 2009-2010.
other SCOMEdians worldwide!
First of all, I’ve been finalizing my hando-
I’m really happy to work with my Regional
ver with Nikos, the SCOME-D of 2008-
Assistants Lamia, Ioana, Cristobal and
2009. We had several online meetings,
Dalal and I’m already proud of how hard
we exchanged a lot of emails and we
they work! We’ve made plans and dis-
Hugs,
talked to each other through the phone
cussed SCOME work through email and
Margot
and I can safely say that handover is
online meetings. All NOMEs should have
SCOME Director 2009-2010
more or less finished now. I also had
received emails from their respective RA
meetings with Robbert, partly for hando-
by now, and it is your responsibility to
ver and partly for making plans together
keep them updated in order to achieve
for the upcoming year.
the best outcomes for SCOME. Unfortu-
Thanks a lot!
nately there’s still no RA for Asia & PaIn addition, two weeks after the start of
cific region, so if you’re from the region
this term we had our first Team of Officials
and want to be part of this great team:
Meeting in Amsterdam. This was a great
send an email to scomed@ifmsa.org!
opportunity to form a team, make plans and set common goals for the whole
SCOME @ African Regional Meeting
term. One of my favourite parts was the
December carries a very special occasion
Small Working Group with all the Stand-
for me, as I will be attending the African
www.ifmsa.org medical students worldwide
Page 4
eVAGUS | December 2009
SRT 101 Dear SCOPEans; The Standing Committee on Professional Exchange (SCOPE) has been running in IFMSA since its foundation in 1951. SCOPE offers the largest student-run Ali Cankut Tatliparmak SCOPE-Director 2009-2010
exchange program in the world and each year around 8000 international medical students have the opportunity to experi-
ences and come up with solutions to the
people taking into account accessibility of
ence a different health-care system and
problems they commonly face. A sub-re-
the venue, expenses and time and travel
gain new practical skills. Today 86 coun-
gional training can be defined as an inter-
restrictions.
tries are participating in the program and
national meeting organized for the Local
new countries are joining each year. The
Exchange Officers of different countries
Finally, as National Member Organiza-
aim of SCOPE remains to promote inter-
within a region in order to achieve the
tions and National Exchange Officers, I
national cultural understanding and co-
aforementioned objectives. The main
urge you to consider organizing an SRT
operation amongst medical students and
driving force for organizing SRTs in IFM-
whenever possible and to make sure your
all health professionals through interna-
SA is the motivation and enthusiasm that
Local Exchange Officers get the chance
tional exchange of students.
our NEOs have to improve our exchange
to participate in an SRT sooner than later
program taking into account the following
because better trained Exchange Offic-
elements:
ers invariably translates into better ex-
SCOPEans have been actively developing new exchange ideas during our Sub-
change programs.
Regional Trainings (SRTs) which have
Firstly, participation in SRTs is encour-
Please do not hesitate to contact me with
served IFMSA in different ways. SRTs
aged but not limited to members of cer-
questions or proposals to host IFMSA's
have been motivating the Local EOs and
tain geographical regions, afterall SCO-
next SRT.
providing them with extensive information
PEans are hospitable and welcoming.
about SCOPE and the participant NMOs
exChanging the World…
in addition to creating the appropriate at-
Secondly, as international gatherings,
Ali Cankut Tatliparmak
mosphere for them to share their experi-
SRTs should aim to accomodate up to 60
SCOPE Director 2009-2010
www.ifmsa.org medical students worldwide
Page 5
eVAGUS | December 2009
14 November 2009: This was World Diabetes Day! th
vide individuals with the opportunity to
zations of the IFMSA made great ef-
understand more about their bodies,
forts to achieve these goals, with great
their lifestyles and ultimately the caus-
success! The events SCOPHians or-
es and risk factors for acquiring diabe-
ganised for WDD were innovative and
tes. By educating the population and
showed good spirit. The materials dis-
highlighting solutions, it is substantially
tributed emphasized the importance
easier to implement strategies to lower
and fundamentals that diabetes is a
the incidence of diabetes and its im-
global concern with worldwide conse-
pact on global health at all levels.
quences. Additionally, through offering blood glucose level and BMI index
The World Diabetes Day (WDD)
AMSB
Catalonia,
measurements, the public was invited
traditionally marks one of the most
IFMSA Czech Republic, IFMSA-Egypt,
to take action – allowing them to check
celebrated WHO World Health Days
MMSA Malta, TurkMSIC Turkey, and
their health status. Moreover, banners,
WDD) and decorated monuments at-
in SCOPH and every year, SCOPHi-
many more National Member Organi-
handmade blue circles (symbols of
tracted the media, which helped to in-
Bulgaria,
AECS
ans around the world unite to make
crease the efficacy of our actions even
November 14 a truly remarkable and
further.
th
orange event! WDD 2009 was a fantastic internaThe theme for 2009, "Education and
tional event that emphasized that
Prevention"
complements
SCOPHians, wherever they are, come
the concept of Public Health and how
together as a unified team to organize
SCOPH strives to decrease the bur-
one global event in order to make a dif-
den of diabetes within our societies. In
ference – You can all be truly proud of
order to "take control" of diabetes we
your achievements. The only thing left
must not only treat and care for those
to say is…
who are already affected, but also em-
SCOPH has ROCKED again!
perfectly
power the healthy and those at risk to tackle this disease head on. Through
Louise Mulcahy
educating our communities, we pro-
SCOPH Director 2009-2010
www.ifmsa.org medical students worldwide
Page 6
eVAGUS | December 2009
Impressions from WAD '08:
HIV/AIDS
CDC named the epidemic ''The 4H Dis-
named Human Immune Deficiency Virus
History in brief
ease'' referring to Haitians, Homosexu-
(HIV) in 1986. Strangely enough, up to this
als, Hemophiliacs and Heroin users. After
day some people still argue that AIDS isn't
discovering that half of the diseased
caused by HIV; a hypothesis which was de-
In 1959, A British reporter reported symptoms of shortness
individuals aren't homosexual the
of breath, extreme fatigue, rap-
name was changed to Acquired
id weight loss, night sweats,
Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Since its discovery in the early 80s the
high fever and purplish skin
(AIDS) in July 1982.
global AIDS epidemic has become one of
lesions. The case was mys-
the greatest threats to human health and
terious and he was thought to
Dr. Luc Montagnier and his team, from the
development. In 2007, about 33.2 million
have Tuberculosis, even though no
Pasteur Institute in France, isolated the
people were known to be living with HIV.
evidence of bacterial infection was present.
virus causing the disease from lymphoid
Around 2.1 million people died of AIDS in
The reporter died in 1959 and his autopsy
ganglions in May1983 while Other reports
the same year. AIDS did not spare celebri-
revealed two unusual infections at the time:
followed confirming that the virus discov-
ties as Freddie Mercury, a British musician
cytomegalovirus virus and pneumocystis
ered was the etiological agent of AIDS.
died of an AIDS related pneumonia in 1991
carinii. 31 years later HIV tests were con-
For this fantastic contribution to the field
and American NBA star Magic Johnson is
ducted on the preserved tissue samples
of medicine, Dr. Montagnier was awarded
currently living with HIV.
of the British man and were found positive
the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
making this the first ever reported case of
in 2008.
HIV/AIDS.
The Red Ribbon was first thought of by Painter Frank Moore and was adopted by
Though Dr. Montagnier was the first man
the Visual AIDS Artists Caucus in 1991 as
On June 5 , 1981 The Center for Disease
to isolate the virus, much of the credit to its
the international symbol for solidarity with
Control and Prevention discovered clusters
relevance to AIDS goes to Dr. Robert Gallo
HIV positive people. The red color repre-
of pneumocystis carinii in 5 homosexual
of the United States. Disputes on the true
sents both passion and love and the new
men in LA. Other cases were reported in
discoverer of the virus arose between the
symbol served as a tool for raising aware-
the following months amongst gay men.
Americans and the French, and in a meet-
ness in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The unknown virus was called at the time:
ing between Ronald Reagan and Fran-
"Gay Related Immune Deficiency (GRID)".
cois Mitterrand both scientists were right-
Louay EL-Tagy
In search of a more appropriate name, the
fully claimed co-discoverers. The virus was
IFMSA-Egypt
th
Article's references: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIDS http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_ribbon http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_C._Moore_(painter) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origin_of_AIDS http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luc_Montagnier
nied by scientific consensus.
www.ifmsa.org medical students worldwide
Page 7
eVAGUS | December 2009
SCORA & WAD '09 Branislav Chrenka SCORA-Director 2009-2010
Upcoming events Infectious Diseases in the Adult Patient: A Primary Care Update 28th - 31st December 2009 Sarasota, Florida, United States http://www.ams4cme.com/
of the most destructive epidemics in re-
be bored of the post-election headlines
corded history."
and would be excited for a fresh topic to
Dear friends,
But as one HIV-related video remarks,
focus on because he thought that media
Today, we remind ourselves and cel-
"No statistics can help you understand
would be vital for the success of WAD.
ebrate one of the most important days
the human suffering behind the pandem-
Bunn and Netter realized that December
for SCORA and I dare say for the entire
ic."
1st falls perfectly between the elections
IFMSA as well. It is a unique day, a day
and Christmas, and thus, World AIDS
like no other, with red ribbons pinned on
Day was born!
the chests of passers-by or placed on windows while some are painted on post-
We have been celebrating this event eve-
ers. Some people are dancing and sing-
ry year since the creation of SCORA in
ing in concerts, some are holding sad
1998. We often work tirelessly to make
vigils, and some are shouting and raising
Perhaps this thought, in addition to oth-
every WAD successful and meaning-
banners.The celebrations differ, yet the
ers, was behind the idea of the creation
ful. I am very proud to be the director of
basic idea is the same.
of the WAD in August 1987 when the two
this amazing standing committee bring-
gentlemen, James W. Bunn and Thomas
ing together thousands of enthusiastic
Netter, worked as public information of-
and passionate Angels. Every year our
ficers for the Global Programme on AIDS
members make a difference and let the
at the WHO HQ in Geneva and came up
world know about IFMSA is all about: that
Wikipedia tells us that "WAD (World
with this initiative for the first time. They
young medical students are raising their
AIDS Day) is observed annually, on the
took their idea to Dr. Jonathan Mann, Di-
voices against the pandemic and are ac-
Emerging Trends in Breast Cancer 16 January 2010 ; Istanbul, United States http://bit.ly/8N1rRC
first day of December and is dedicated to
rector of the Global Programme on AIDS
tively seeking a global solution.
raising awareness about the AIDS pan-
(now known as UNAIDS) who liked the
demic caused by the spread of the HIV
concept, approved it, and agreed with the
Thank you my dear friends for your ef-
The First International Congress on Women's Health and Unsafe Abortion 20th - 23rd January 2010 ; Sukhumvit, Bangkok, Thailand http://www.womenhealth.or.th/
infection". And it continues: "We estimate
recommendation that the first observance
forts!
that AIDS has killed more than 29 million
of World AIDS Day should be on Decem-
people between 1981 and 2009, and an
ber 1st, 1988. During that year there had
Yours,
estimated 33.4 million people worldwide
been presidential elections in the U.S.
Branislav
live with HIV as of 2008, making it one
and Bunn thought that the media would
IFMSA SCORA Director 2009-2010
HIV Congress 2010 8th - 10th January 2009; Mumbai, India http://www.hivcongress2010.in/ Keystone Symposia-HIV Biology and Pathogenesis 12th - 17th January 2010; Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States http://www.keystonesymposia.org/10A6 th
WAD IS IN TOWN!!!
www.ifmsa.org medical students worldwide
Page 8
eVAGUS | December 2009
From the SCORE-D
more interest in our Research Exchange Program
Dear SCORE family, dear IFMSA, The Standing Committee on Research
Training medical students in SCORE and
Exchange (SCORE) was founded in
organizing activities aimed at raising the
1991, during the 40 Anniversary of IFM-
Academic Quality of our Exchanges is
SA.
the only way to achiever the real potential
th
Federica Balzarini SCORE-Director 2009-2010
that SCORE carries. The primary mission of SCORE is to provide intensive and focused research
Do not hesitate to contact me if you feel
projects, which allow medical students to
Pre Exchange Training (PET)
ready to organize a PET in your NMO…
expand their knowledge of specific scien-
The SCORE Pre Exchange Training is a
scored@ifmsa.org
tific areas of their choice, while encour-
great way to help them before their jour-
aging the formation of professional and
ney starts by increasing their knowledge,
social networks abroad.
their skills, their motivation and their
And don’t forget to exploRE the world!
awareness.
Federica Balzarini
In 2009, SCORE had over 60 active par-
The topics discussed could include lec-
SCORE Director 2009-2010
ticipating NMOs, offering over 1900 re-
tures and trainings on Science Philoso-
search projects, and has provided over
phy, Research Ethics, Research Plan-
1700 students with opportunities to par-
ning, Basic Biostatistics, and Intercultural
ticipate in research exchange.
Learning.
Motivating students is the key to getting them involved in their research programs
The first PET was held in Turkey in 2008
and this is achieved through offering
and since then it has been adopted by
them the chance to work on a research
different NMOs. The aim is to further ex-
project of their interest in addition to ex-
pand this program to new NMOs with the
ploring the world we live in.
support and experience of the well-established PET NMOs. Expansion will ensure further participation, and thus trigger
www.ifmsa.org medical students worldwide
Page 9
eVAGUS | December 2009
About the 6th Eastern Mediterranean Regional Meeting – Bahrain
Imprint
Editor in Chief Alexander Werni, Austria Editing, Proofreading Melhim Bou Alwan, Lebanon
The 6th Eastern Mediterranean Regional meeting (EMR6) is organized by the Inter-
Cover Picture: Photgraphed by Mardhatillah Marsa, Indonesia It shows the signing of a petition and support statement by SCORA-CIMSA Indonesia on celebrated WAD 2008, Dec 1st in Jakarta, Indonesia.
national Federation of Medical Students' Associations-Bahrain
(IFMSA-Bahrain)
and will be held in Manama between the 1st and the 5th of January 2010. Since child abuse is a global devastating problem that affects both children and their communities, the theme of the upcoming EMR 6 will be "it should be safe to be a child". The discussions will tackle
Group picture at MM09 in Tunesia with all EMRians just after the election of IFMSA-Bahrain as the host of the EMR6.
various aspects relating to the sexual
RedRibbon: was created by Christian Heldt from Cuxhaven, Germany. He released his work on Wikipedia into the public domain.
Contact Information:
General Secretariat: IFMSA c/o WMA B.P. 63 01212 Ferney-Voltaire France Phone: +33 450 404 759 Fax: +33 450 405 937 Email: gs@ifmsa.org
abuse on children's development, the difference between neglect and psychological abuse, and the detection of abuse in medical practice. In addition, the delegates will participate in meetings for 5 standing committees of IFMSA. The participants will present and discuss
Homepage: www.ifmsa.org
their projects and activities and exchange views and share experiences. We hope
Manel Hafsi
that this meeting will be a useful forum
RC Eastern Mediterranean 2009-10
to prepare our medical students to better
Lujain Al-Qodmani
serve our region.
KuMSA, Kuwait
www.ifmsa.org medical students worldwide
For more information visit the website:
Feedback: publications@ifmsa.org
http://www.agu.edu.bh/ifmsa/
Page 10