Global Health Conference, Newcastle, 24th/25th March, 2007
Medsin Global Health Conference 24th-25th March, 2007 Newcastle Medical School
300 medical students from around the UK met in Newcastle this weekend to hear speakers on the topic 'Health as a Human Right' and attend workshops on a variety of global health issues.
Each of the four plenaries 'Women and Children', 'Water as a Human Right', 'Conflict, Health and Human Rights' and 'The Future' was a brilliant success with lively, motivating and informative speakers.
The organising committee sourced speakers from organisations such as WomanKind, World Development Movement, Medecins du Monde, African Youth Development Project, African Medical and Rsearch Foundation (AMREF) and CAAT. Other high profile speakers included Dr Richard Horton, editor of The Lancet, Dr Rhona MacDonald of The Lancet, Dr Alan Fenwick from Imperial College London and Hope Chigudu, amongst others.
The weekend was a great chance for networking of Medsin members from across the UK. Members had the opportunity to discuss the variety of projects and campaigns that Medsin works through to acheive the vision of 'health as a universally realised human right'.
Voting members had the chance to participate in a General Assembly of Medsin in which St. George's were re-welcomed as a branch of the Medsin network.
A great time was had by all at the social on Saturday night - St. James' Park was a fantastic venue for a ceilidh. The evening included a birthday party to celebrate Medsin's 10th Anniversary with an address by John Yudkin, a long-time friend of Medsin.
The conference incorporated many chances for activism amongst student attendees. Each plenary was followed with an opportunity for action on issues of global and local health:
- Plenary 1 - campaigned for improvements on the way the health service deals with Domestic Abuse. Students drew round their hands and sent the sheets with a covering letter to Health Minister, Patricia Hewitt.
- Plenary 2 - campaigned for access to clean water in the developing world. Students signed toilet rolls and sent them with a covering letter to Hilary Benn.
- Plenary 3 - students staged a die-in, donning bloody t-shirts and 'dying' in the lecture theatre with a banner calling for an end to the global arms trade. The photo has been sent to the press.
- Plenary 4 - there was the opportunity to sign Oxfam action cards calling for more aid to support public health and education services in developing countries - specifically for investment in health workers and teachers. Students then gathered for a photo opporunity calling for Health as a Human Right.
Photos of the weekend are available here.
Last updated on Monday 08 September 2008 at 18:45.
