IFMSA

International Federation of Medical Students' Associations

The International Federation of Medical Students' Associations, IFMSA, is an independent, non-political federation representing over 100 national associations of medical students. It was founded in 1951 as a result of the post-war wave of friendship among international students.

The IFMSA is affiliated to the United Nations, and since 1969 has been recognised by the World Health Organisation as the official forum for international medical students.

All activities in the IFMSA are co-ordinated by medical students in the country where they are studying. The exchange programme has been the core activity of the IFMSA from the beginning. However, other areas of activity have expanded rapidly in recent years to include projects in the fielfs of public health, medical education, reproductive health and human rights, peace and refugees. In addition, the IFMSA is a forum where medical students exchange information about topics of common interest, formulate a medical students' opinion and present it to the international community.

Upcoming Events

August Meeting 2010

You could represent Medsin at the August Meeting 2010, in Canada! Find out more.

Past Events

What are the aims of the IFMSA

The IFMSA serves medical students all over the world through its member organsations and promotes international co-operation. Its goals are to:

  • Act as a basis for medical students' professional exchanges and projects.
  • Be a forum for medical students throughout the world to discuss topics related to health, education and medicine.
  • Formulate policies from such discussions and carry out appropriate activities.
  • Promote humanitarian ideals and medical ethics among medical students.
  • Be a body through with co-operation and contacts with other international organisations are established.
  • Act as a resource for organisations to fundraise for projects.

How is the IFMSA structured?

The IFMSA is composed of six 'standing committees':

  • Standing Committee on Research Exchanges, SCORE provides medical students from around the world an unique opportunity to participate in clinical or pre-clinical research projects abroad. To find out more, click here.

  • Standing Committee on Refugees and Peace, SCORP deals with the problems faced by displaced people and participates in relief efforts ( Crossing Borders and Global Health Advocacy Project ). SCORP also works for the prevention of conflicts and human rights abuses. To find out more, click here.

  • Standing Committee on Reproductive Health and AIDS, SCORA runs international campaigns on HIV/AIDS awareness (Stop AIDs), peer-led sexual education programmes (Sexpression) and projects which focus on gender equality, reproductive rights and empowerment. To find out more, click here.

  • Standing Committee on Public Health, SCOPH - emphasizes the importance of public health issues in medical education and the community (Marrow , Sexpression , Crossing Borders, Homed, Teddy Bear Hospital, Global Health Advocacy Project, Global Health Project, CPRiS, Save a baby’s life , SKIP, WaterAid, Stop AIDs, PharmAware, Trade and Malaria). SCOPH aims to promote healthy lifestyles through the eradication of smoking, improvement in diet and increasing physical activity. To find out more, click here.

  • Standing Committee on Medical Education, SCOME - is a forum for active discussion for medical students interested in developing medical education. To find out more, click here.

In addition, the IFMSA has an International Training Network, which exists to empower medical students and provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills for action in the health field.

Training sessions run by the IFMSA include Conflict Prevention, Communication, Strategic Planning, Project Planning, Leading and Facilitating Meetings, Financial Management, Fundraising, Advocacy, Marketing, Writing and Presenting. To find out more about training in the UK, click here

When does the IFMSA meet?

Twice a year, members of the IFMSA meet at General Assemblies(GA). These GAs provide delegates with the opportunity to learn about global health issues, discuss their projects, share best practice and move the organisation forwards.

Outside of the GA's the IFMSA works by discussing issues over email and by having regional and sub-regional meetings.

Who are the Members of the IFMSA?

Membership is on a national basis, and members are called National Member Organisations, NMOs e.g. Medsin-UK. The IFMSA distinguishes between Full, Associate and Candidate member organisations. A new organisation applies for candidature membership in the first year and then they can be elected to full member status after 2 years. Only full members have the right to vote at IFMSA meetings. Associate membership is given to an association that represents a minority of students in a country where two organisations co-exist.

The IFMSA now represents over 90 countries!

Who coordinates the IFMSA?

The IFMSA is a large and dynamic organisation with a high level of activity. It is co-ordinated by a large team of officials from around the world. Most IFMSA officials are full-time students thus creating the need for a horizontal structure and an extensive division of tasks. The IFMSA is continually changeing to accommodate the needs of its member countries and the projects that it oversees.

The Executive Board is responsible for the management of the IFMSA. The Executive Board is assisted by the Support Division directors which include Training, New Technologies, Publications, Projects and Alumni. Each Standing Committee (SC) also has a SC Director, taking care of the international management. Each Standing Committee can be represented at a national and local level in the National Member Organisation e.g. Medsin-UK. The remainder of the IFMSA officials are Regional Coordinators, The Supervising Council Liaison Officers (who represent the IFMSA to external organisations) and * Initiative Project Coordinators* e.g. Think Global.

In order to improve stability and permanency, the IFMSA has a General Secretariat in Ferney-Voltaire, France. One or two of the executive board are usually based here.

IFMSA has a regional structure and since 1995 continental medical students organisations have been associated with IFMSA. Each region now has a regional meeting once a year where they can work on issues affecting their region.

Who Listens to the IFMSA?

To find out who the IFMSA are official partners with, click here.

Last updated on Tuesday 01 June 2010 at 13:42.