International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA)

2014-09-15 15:16:42 The International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA), founded in 1951, is one of the world’s oldest and largest student-run organizations. It represents, connects and engages every day with over 1.3 million medical students from 124 national members organizations in 117 countries around the globe. We envision a world in which all medical students unite for global health and are equipped with the resources, skills and knowledge to take on health leadership roles locally and globally, so that we can shape the healthy and sustainable future we want. Our work is divided in four main global health areas: public health, sexual reproductive health, medical education, human rights and peace. Each year, we organize 15,000 clinical and research exchanges programs for our students to explore innovations in medicine, healthcare systems and healthcare delivery in other settings. IFMSA brings people together to exchange, discuss and initiate projects to create a healthier world. It trains its members to give them the skills and resources needed to be health leaders. It advocates for the pressing issues that matter to us to shape the world we want. And it does deliver: our projects, our campaigns and our activities positively impact the physicians-to be, the communities they serve, as well as the health systems around the world in which they practice as a trainee and eventually a medical doctor. Our presence on social media is one of the most powerful tools we use to connect our international members throughout the year, as well as to keep engaging with the health community from every corner of the world. Using Facebook, Twitter and blogging, we have strived to influence global health policies and impact the highest-decision making bodies; some recent examples being at the 67th World Health Assembly, at the World Health Summit 2013 and throughout the post-2015 agenda process that started with Rio+20 in June 2012. At those events, we were listed among the top 10 social media influencers. We are connecting with stakeholders, country representatives, academia and students to promote our policy statements and to actively share our ideas. One example is how we have used social media to advocate for universal health coverage (UHC) to be a priority in the post-2015 agenda, thus engaging several members of civil society in a dialogue on the importance of universal basic access to healthcare in every part of the world. We have also been able to raise awareness on the need to “green” our healthcare systems so as to mitigate climate change, recognized as the biggest global health issue of the 21st century by the Lancet. We have also been able to offer quality trainings to our members on how to best use social media to advocate for health promotion and health systems strengthening. Our social media strategy, which includes several online platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Youtube, Wordpress, Instagram, and a Mobile Application, finds its roots in our dedicated members. We first work to grab the attention from individuals online, and then we sustain it through compelling communication. IFMSA finding its anchors in its young member spirit and restfulness, it has infinite possibilities to keep on engaging with its members and civil society using social media. Health, advocacy and social media are inseparably intertwined. In a climate where social determinants of health are increasingly considered, the advocating physician is required to engage politically, to debate policy and to battle for funding. IFMSA believes social media offer a direct way to connect and engage with populations and medical communities. Our immediate and long-term impacts on the global health systems would definitely not be the same without social media; and this is why our different online platforms are at the heart of the daily work of the Federation.

2014-09-15 19:55:18 This association, and I might call it OUR association for all the medical students and endorsers here, is a family for every member and as Director-General of the WHO Margaret Chan puts it: "hyper-active". We are working for IFMSA and IFMSA is working for us, for every single member to reach as many people as possible. We work in policy but also in capacity building and build a bridge from high-level policy meetings to the local basis.Regardless of the different background we come from do we dream and work to make the world a step better. We stand up for our ambitions.

2014-09-16 13:21:21 The spirit of IFMSA transcends national borders. IFMSA puts together brilliant young minds around the globe. It allows for meaningful youth participation in global health by providing a platform for knowledge transfer, capacity building, and research.With its relationship with WHO, IFMSA brings global dialogues to local levels. Such effort, through inspired medical students who realize their own civil responsibilities, is translated into actionable items.

2014-09-16 16:55:52 Important engagement, fruitful,encouraging !

2014-09-17 09:04:45 Viva IFMSA...To greater heights!!!

2014-09-22 10:56:36 Yes! IFMSA

2014-09-22 21:50:58 It is my pleasure to endorse the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations for staying Social in connecting trainees

2014-09-22 22:07:06 It is my pleasure to nominate the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations for staying Social in Health. At

2014-09-22 22:11:11 It is my pleasure to nominate the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations for staying Social in Health. At

2014-09-26 03:24:06 Yes!

2014-10-03 01:13:09 so proud to be part of IFMSA!!