IFMSA August Meeting 2022 in Turkey

IFMSA AM22 IN ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Text: Rahel Laager | VPG 21/22

Between the 1st and 7th of August 2022 the IFMSA (International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations) General Assembly hybrid August Meeting took place in Istanbul, Turkey.

swimsa was represented by 8 in-person and 1 online delegate. The prior experience within swimsa and the IFMSA of the delegates varied largely with some only just getting to know swimsa. This was the first full scale in-person General Assembly to take place since the beginning of the pandemic, so expectations but also the anticipation was high!

The swimsa delegation prepared tirelessly by reading many documents to be adopted during the meeting but also by stocking up on tons of chocolate (one of the reasons Swiss delegations are so well liked) and buying matching wear.

In addition to being present in 5 Standing Committees (Public Health, Professional Exchange, Research Exchange, Medical Education and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights including HIV and AIDS), the swimsa delegation participated actively in all decision making on the level of the Federation by writing and supporting statements, submitting questions to the candidates and attending all presidents’ sessions and plenaries. If you are new to the world of swimsa and IFMSA and do not know what this means exactly, let’s just say we did what the Swiss do best - executed our rights as active members of the international medical community and shaped the organization further with our input.

During the August Meeting the IFMSA: • TO (Team of Officials) 22/23 was elected • IFMSA gained 2 new meambers (from Vietnam and United Arab Emirates) • 14 Policy Documents and 30+ reports were accepted • After lengthy discussions 82 Bylaws Change Proposals and 3 Constitution Change Proposals were voted upon. No wonder discussions sometimes lasted until deep into the night and the social programme only started after midnight.

During the National Food and Drinks Party, swimsa proudly prepared Raclette, Rivella and chocolate for delegates from other NMOs (National Member Organizations) to try and was frequently complimented on hosting the best table.

Rahel Laager, VPG 21/22

Does participating at an international meeting like this one sound like something you would like to experience? General Assemblies take place twice a year, in March and August. The call for participants to the next August Meeting will start in April so stay tuned and make sure to follow us on social media or contact the VPG (vpg@swimsa.ch) for more information!

“I have been enchanted by the spirit of this meeting. This week has been enough to show me that I want to be part of this big family that is striving to be a voice for all medical students in the world.” “When I signed up for the AM22 I could never have imagined how wowed I would be by the whole experience. That there could be a student based interest group that would achieve what felt as truly global representation” “When I left for AM22, I went into the unknown and with an open mind to what I would discover. The experience that followed is deeply moving and I regularly recall chapters of it. The exchanges, the discussions, the interculturality lull us during this week and I felt like at home and at the same time like abroad: Imagine the whole planet in miniature represented by medical students from different corners of the world. The term "family" used regularly by IFMSA made sense and was our strength to move things forward, represent our colleagues, and have a positive global impact.”

“After an intense week in Turkey, where we shaped the future of the Federation, danced to The Weekend at 4am, enjoyed food from various continents and hugged many friends I’m proud to say that I was present. Present in the moment.”

“The simulation was supposed to mimic the proceedings of the Committee on the standing of Women-Meeting by the United Nations and we were supposed to simulate different countries, NGOs and associated members. While working in a team made up of completely different nations such as Libya, Russia, Niger, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Palestine, it was incredibly rewarding. Coming together, researching the stances of another country on women's rights and their standing when it comes to climate change was very inspiring.” “One of the greatest aspects of general assemblies is that we get to meet people with completely different backgrounds and cultures. We get to interact and connect with them, share experiences and hopefully form lifelong friendships.”

“Attending the IFSMSA GA AM22 was like living all of life in a single week.” “If I were to describe my AM22 personal experience, I would definitely describe it as a storm after which comes the best rainbow I have ever seen. There were very difficult and exhausting moments, which were then compensated by greater ones, and in the end this was the perfect balance which allowed me to grow as a person on a social, spiritual and cultural level.”