By Elizabeth Wiley, JD, MPH
AMSA Vice President for Internal Affairs
This week, sixteen members are representing AMSA as delegates at the
International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) August Meeting (AM 2011) in Copenhagen, Denmark. Twice a year, delegations from medical student organizations from across the world gather to meet, learn and organize. Some of the highlights so far of AM 2011 include:
• Contract Fair – AMSA’s National Exchange Officers Laura Bertani, Sarah Kleinfeld, Jim Curry and Kyle Swinsky negotiated and signed contracts for clinical and research exchange opportunities around the world (photo below).
• Leave No Trace Project Presentation – AMSA delegates Pon-Pon Yeh and Jake Newcomb presented their project proposal to the Standing Committee on Human Rights and Peace (SCORP) and the Standing Committee on Public Health (SCOPH).
• Policy Statement Training – AMSA delegates Jerry Abraham, Liz Wiley and Stan Wang led a training session for delegates from other countries on how to draft policy statements for consideration by IFMSA or other policy-making bodies (photo below).
• National Food and Drink Party - Each of the more than 90 countries represented offer national foods and drinks, often in national costume. This year, the AMSA delegation adopted a Vegas theme.
• Plenary Sessions –Leaders from each National Member Organization debate and vote on policies affecting IFMSA. AMSA National President Danielle Salovich, AMSA Secretary General Roopa Dhatt, Assistant Secretary Stan Wang have represented AMSA members in these sessions.
With this being my first IFMSA General Assembly, I have to admit that I did not know what to expect. Thus far, it’s been quite an exciting opportunity to learn more about international medical education and network with future physician leaders from around the world.