The Amercias’ Regional Meeting 2016 January 17th - 22nd
INVITATION PACKAGE IFMSA-URUGUAY
Message from the OC
On behalf of the OC, I am pleased to invite you, members of the IFMSA, to the Americas' Regional Meeting 2016. For the very first time Uruguay will open its doors to its beloved region. What some time ago used to be a dream, is now a reality. This story started with a simple question: “Why not?” And despite of the short time as a candidate member of the federation, our excitement and determination were big enough to work unwaveringly to make the dream come true. Now, after several months of work and as a proud full member of the IFMSA, we are ready to host one of the most important events of the region.
Uruguay has plenty to offer; the variety of landscapes, the great beaches, and some of the safest cities in the world, provide Uruguay the qualities to offer its visitors a magnificent experience. Besides its natural properties, Uruguay is ranked first in Latin America in democracy, peace, lack of corruption and quality of living. It is also regarded as one of the most liberal nations in the world due to social policies such as same-sex marriage and legal abortion.
With one of the best hotels of the city, a great venue provided by our main partner: the Uruguayan Physicians Union (SMU), standing committee sessions and workshops organized with absolute commitment; and expert professionals that will expose their vision on the elected Theme Event, we want all the delegates that arrive to our country to have an experience of a life time; the kind of experiences that our federation is used to offering us, in pursuance of “Empowering medical students in using their knowledge and capacities for the benefit of society”. Don´t miss the opportunity. Uruguay awaits you!
Lucía Laborda OC Chair
Organizing Committee Lucía Laborda Chair chair.rm2016@gmail.com Tel: +598 96 41 78 21
Ignacio Cardozo Treasurer treasurer.rm2016@gmail.com Tel: +598 94 54 72 88
Álvaro Dendi Vice Chair vchair.rm2016@gmail.com Tel: +598 99 13 94 54
Manuel Mendive & Santiago Arrotcharen Logistics logistics.rm2016@gmail.com Tel: +598 96 90 00 06
Joaquín Lainés Secretary General secgen.rm2016@gmail.com Tel: +598 98 66 20 52
Sabrina Damonte Registrations & Visa Coordinator reg.rm2016@gmail.com Tel: +598 98 67 36 05
Tamara Melián Pre- RM Coordinator pre.rm2016@gmail.com Tel: +598 98 55 95 79
Ignacio Jabib Social Program Coordinator social.rm2016@gmail.com Tel: +598 99 11 53 09
Fiorella Vuan RM Coordinator rm.rm2016@gmail.com Tel: +598 99 03 35 88
Nicolás Requena Publicity Coordinator publicity.rm2016@gmail.com Tel: +598 95 97 11 99
Theme: Health Equity “The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in October 2014 adopted a regional Strategy for Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage, which expresses the commitment of PAHO Member States to strengthen health systems, expand access to comprehensive quality health services, provide financial protection, and adopt integrated, comprehensive policies to address the social determinants of health and health inequities.” Universal health coverage has been at the center of the global public health agenda in recent years. As one of the key goals of health systems, universal health coverage provides countries a way to fight against unmet needs and health inequities. Did you know that the Latin American region faces the greatest socioeconomic and health inequalities in the world? Despite the improvement in the recent years, there are still many differences among people’s health depending on their gender, where they live, their level of education, and whether they are rich or poor, etc. Health equity, universal health coverage and social determinants of health have been a major topic of the global health in the last years. Multiple stakeholders in the field of public health have been advocating the examination of policies and initiatives aimed at achieving health equity and universal health coverage. IFMSA, as the biggest medical students’ organization worldwide, must be part of the process. Our Theme Event will introduce professionals with vast experience in the field of public health, giving the attendants the opportunity to acquire a deep outlook on the subject.
URUGUAY Uruguay, officially República Oriental del Uruguay, is a country in the southeastern region of South America. It is bordered by Argentina to its west and Brazil to its north and east, with the Atlantic Ocean to the south and southeast. Uruguay is home to 3.3 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the metropolitan area of its capital and largest city, Montevideo. With an area of approximately 176,000 square kilometers, Uruguay is geographically the second-smallest nation in South America after Suriname. Temperate weather characterizes the climate of Uruguay, meaning that extreme heat or cold is uncommon. Summer in Uruguay runs from December to March, with temperatures that rise to 25-30°C. With one of the lowest indexes of contamination in the planet and an increasing number of protected areas and flora and fauna reserves, Uruguay offers a great variety of natural landscapes. Uruguay has a high standard of living and is considered one of the safest countries in the world. Furthermore, it is ranked first in Latin America in democracy, peace, lack of corruption and quality of living. It is also regarded as one of the most liberal nations in the world due to social policies such as same-sex marriage and legal abortion.
Travel Information Carrasco International Airport With a brand new building, the Carrasco International Airport is one of the world´s most modern airport. There are three bus companies and several private taxi and remise services connecting the airport with Montevideo. The trip time to Montevideo by car is approximately 20 minutes, while by bus it is 1 hour and 15 minutes. Airport Transportation from the Airport to Montevideo will not be provided by the OC, official airport shuttles are recommended. This shuttle costs USD 12 (price subject to adjustments).
Ferry Another way of travelling to Montevideo is by ferry from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Buquebus is an Argentine-Uruguayan company that operates ferry services from Buenos Aires to Montevideo. Travelers usually arrive to Buenos Aires´s Airport and then take a ferry to Montevideo.
Official Airline Alliance
oneworld is the official airline alliance of The Americas’ Regional Meeting
oneworld is pleased to be the official airline alliance of The Americas Regional Meeting, 2016 Click here to book your flights and enjoy the benefits oneworld®, the premier global airline alliance, brings together 15 leading airlines from around the world - airberlin, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN Airlines, TAM Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines and SriLankan Airlines. Together with around 30 affiliate members, oneworld’s network currently serves more than 1,000 destinations in 155 countries.
attendee benefits • Attractive flight discounts for attendees and one travel companion. • Flights available from all oneworld member airlines and affiliates. • User-friendly booking tool that will display the most convenient flights and multiple fare options. • 24-hour support desk – reach us by email or phone. • Earn rewards and tier status points on oneworld eligible flights. • Frequent flyer privileges, including, for top tier cardholders, access to some 600 premium airport lounges worldwide, fasttrack at security lanes in selected airports and extra baggage allowance. • Seamless connections and quality service on oneworld member airlines. Visit www.oneworld.com/events and enter event code OW68C15 to log in as an attendee and access our convenient online booking tool, customised with your event information. You and a travel companion can then book discounted flights for travel seven days before and seven days after the event. Fares will be available up to twelve months prior to the event. For more information please visit www.oneworld.com
Necessary documents to enter the country As a main requirement to enter the country, it is essential to have an updated passport, except for citizens of the countries that are members of the MERCOSUR or associated countries, who may only present their national ID.
Visas No visa required for the citizens of the following countries: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Chile, Cyprus, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Guatemala, Holland, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Slovakia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United States, Venezuela. For citizens of countries not mentioned above: - Temporary Visa has to be requested at the Uruguayan consulate.
PRE-REGIONAL MEETING MALDONADO | URUGUAY January 14th- 17th The Pre - Regional Meeting will be held in the department of Maldonado, located in the east of the country and only 82 km away from Montevideo, the capital city. Maldonado is one of the most touristic departments of Uruguay, with important architectural places well known internationally, whereas the shore provides visitors with countless experiences in dazzling natural scenery. It is home to one of the world´s most exclusive destinations: Punta del Este.
Accommodation & Venue The accommodation during the Pre - Regional Meeting will be at the summer camp of the SMU, the Alcion Hotel. It is located in SolĂs surrounded by a wide range of natural landscapes, only 50km away from the city of Punta del Este.
The hotel offers comfortable double and triple rooms from which you can appreciate the beautiful sunset characteristic of the Uruguayan coast. Guests, moreover, will be able to enjoy amenities like an open pool, heated pool, tennis court on the beach, football field, fishing and gym and spa services.
Transportation Transportation to the Hotel Alcion will be provided by the OC at no extra cost. Transportation will be scheduled to departure from the Uruguayan Physicians Union´s Headquarters directly to the Hotel in SolĂs. Transportation from the Pre-RM to the RM will also be provided by the OC.
Regional Meeting MONTEVIDEO | URUGUAY January 17th- 22nd Montevideo, the capital of the country, with 1.3 milllion inhabitants, was chosen as capital of the MERCOSUR due to its strategic location, its peacefulness and its safety. It also counts with a great historical background, craft markets, shopping malls, culture, art and gastronomic variety.
In 2013, for the second time, Montevideo was named the Ibero-American Culture Capital by the Union of the Ibero-American Capital Cities (UCCI Unión de Ciudades Capitales Iberoamericanas). Its theatrical productions are remarkably extensive and varied, and include classic, modern and alternative shows. In its museums, cultural centers and showrooms, it is possible to appreciate the art of a wide range of internationally recognised artists such as Juan Manuel Blanes, Rafael Barradas, Pedro Figari, Joaquín Torres García, José Cúneo and Ignacio Iturria, among others.
It is located in the South center of the country where 30 km of coastline make up one of the main attributes of the city, the Rambla of Montevideo. In addition, the vast number of green spaces, parks and gardens also provide numerous outdoor options.
Accommodation The Vivaldi and the Punta Trouville are two 4-stars hotels that are just a few blocks away from each other. These hotels are located in Punta Carretas, one of the most privileged neighborhoods of Montevideo, meters away from Punta Carretas Shopping and the Montevideo Golf Club and only 10 minutes from the World Trade Center Free Zone, in an exclusive environment surrounded by restaurants and recreation centers and just a few blocks from the Montevideo’s Rambla.
Vivaldi Hotel
Punta Trouville Hotel
Rooms The Vivaldi and The Punta Trouville count with 94 and 56 rooms respectively. Both are equipped with air conditioning, LED TV, minibar, security box, work desk and wireless internet access at no additional cost.
Both hotels have:
24-hour Front Desk Buffet breakfast included Wi-Fi in public areas and rooms Room service Business Center Solarium – Deck Individually controlled air conditioning and heating Techno Gym Swimming pool Wake-up service Concierge service Baggage deposit
Services at extra cost
Parking Laundry and dry cleaning emergency services Newspapers Massage room Complete Gym Car rentals
Vivaldi hotel
Venue
President´s Sessions, Standing Committee Sessions, Trainings and Theme Events will be held at the Uruguayan Physicians Union (SMU) Headquarters’, also home to the IFMSA-Uruguay General Secretariat.
6 Rooms will be available, all equipped with projectors / TV and materials needed for the sessions.
Meals Meals will be served both at the hotel or venue. *Vegetarian food should be requested in advance during registrations.
Uruguayan Cuisine Uruguayan cuisine is traditionally based on its Indigenous Charrua and European roots, in particular, European food from Italy, Spain, Portugal and France, but also from countries such as Germany and Britain. Many foods from those countries such as pasta, sausages, and desserts are common in the nation's diet. The Uruguayan barbecue, asado, is one of the most exquisite and famous in the world. A sweet paste, dulce de leche, is used to fill cookies, cakes, pancakes, milhojas, andalfajores.
There are several traditional foods you should not miss if you visit Uruguay:
Asado: both the tradition of grilling beef over coals (which translates to barbecue in American English), and the dish, "tira de asado". Chivito: is a sandwich containing steak, ham, cheese, tomato, lettuce, egg, bacon, onion, pepper and mayonnaise. Choripán is a very popular Uruguayan fast food: A grilled chorizo and a crusty bread such as a baguette, usually served with chimichurri sauce.
Empanada: a small pie or turnover, most commonly filled with meat or ham and cheese.
Fainá: a mix of chickpea flour, salt, water and olive oil, originally called "farinata", cooked like a pizza on a flat tray. Brought by immigrants from Liguria (Italy). Pancho: the typical Uruguayan hot dog: a bun called "pan de Viena" filled with a "Frankfurter" with mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise or "salsa golf" on top. Gnocchi (known as "ñoquis") is traditionally eaten on the 29th day of each month. This was the day before payday, when people were at their poorest. Gnocchi made a cheap and hearty meal. On these occasions, some people leave a coin or a banknote under the plate to attract prosperity. Milanesa: a thin breaded cutlet steak. There is a great variety, such as: Milanesa Napolitana or Milanesa Rellena. Pastel de carne: in English: meat pie. Chopped meat, mashed potato, green peppers, olives, and eggs.
FEES The OC will accept 16 participants per NMO: 8 early and 8 late.
FEES PRE-RM
USD 150
RM EARLY FEE
USD 250 + USD 15 TAF USD 300 + USD 15 USD 25
RM LATE FEE PRE-RM SOCIAL PROGRAM FEE RM SOCIAL PROGRAM FEE
USD 25
REGISTRATIONS Registrations will be made through the SMU´s website www.smu.org.uy Instructions to NMO Presidents will be sent by the Registration & Visa Coordinator prior to the start of registration.
Type of Registration Pre-RM RM – Early Fee RM – Late Fee
Dates 01/09/2015 – 18/09/2015 01/09/2015 – 30/09/2015 01/10/2015 – 31/10/2015
PAYMENTS Bank information will be included in the Invoices. Type of Payment
Dates
Pre-RM + RM Early Fees
4/10/2015 – 16/10/2015 4/11/2015 – 17/11/2015
RM Late Fees
*We will accept only one transfer per NMO in both types of payments.
CANCELLATIONS & SUBSTITUTIONS
CANCELLATIONS Type of Cancellation Full Refund 50% Refund
Dates 18/11/2015 – 30/11/2015 01/12/2015 – 10/12/2015
SUBSTITUTIONS Substitution Any regardless of gender
Dates 18/11/2015 – 10/12/2015
THE LOGO
The logo contains a sun, representing the sun of our national flag. This sun, known as Sol de Mayo, refers to the independence from Spain of the RĂo de la Plata during de Mayo revolution. The three drums: chico, repique and piano drums represent the Uruguayan candombe. Candombe is a Uruguayan music and dance style originating with African slaves. It is considered an important aspect of the culture of Uruguay and was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage of humanity.