Concept

Note

Negotiating for Better Global Health A Pre-World Health Assembly Event for Youth
Organized by the International Federation of Medical Students Associations Table of Contents
1. Background ........................................................................................................................................... 2 1. Description ........................................................................................................................................... 5 2. Objectives ............................................................................................................................................. 5 3. Participants ........................................................................................................................................... 6 4. Virtual Participants ............................................................................................................................... 8 5. Proposed Program ................................................................................................................................ 9 6. Format & Methodology .................................................................................................................... 10 7. Expected Outcomes ............................................................................................................................ 12 8. Follow-up Plan .................................................................................................................................... 13 9. Workshop Organizing Team ............................................................................................................... 14 10. Partners ............................................................................................................................................ 15 11. Financing and Registration Fees ....................................................................................................... 15 12. Contact Details ................................................................................................................................. 16

1. Background
For the past 60 years, the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), a global network of 1.3 million medical students from 107 countries, has been engaging with the World Health Organization in order to ensure the youths engagement in global health governance. In the past decades, the IFMSA has actively participated in WHO meetings. The most signifcant of these meetings is the annual World Health Assembly (WHA), serving as the main arena for global health discussions among member states and the civil society. Despite IFMSAs long-term involvement, medical students are not the only youth group attending the WHA. Hundreds of youth representatives are participating in the WHA and showing deep interest in global health governance and diplomacy. The youth is taking an active role in contributing to the work performed at the WHA, in both formal and informal ways. Many youth organizations are participating actively in the discussions at the WHA. Examples of youth involvement at the WHA range from presentation of interventions and statements to meeting national government officials and the organization of WHA Side-Events, like the one on the Social Determinants of Health in collaboration between the International Federation of Medical Students Associations, the WHO, the World Medical Association and the British Government. Although there is a very diverse presentation of young people at the WHA, up to date there is little opportunity to coordinate the actions and the voice of all youth representatives towards the WHA. Even more so, the global health system is becoming even more complex and it is becoming harder to maintain an overview of all events and actions. We feel that there is a need to better prepare and coordinate students and young people in order to streamline the efforts performed by various youth organizations. This will ultimately lead to a stronger engagement of the youth at the WHA, creating a greater meaning and impact for youth engagement and empowerment. Furthermore, the World Health Assembly serves as a prime model how for global health governance in action and has the potential to be a key training ground for the development of skills and deepening of knowledge for the future global health leadership. The Pre-World Health

Assembly will highlight to students future key players in global health the internal and external working processes of the World Health Organization, as well as educate its participants about emerging topics in global health. These actions will enable future global health professionals to be involved in the processes they will later on be in charge of, at an early stage. Ultimately, enabling youth participation will foster a culture of social inclusion, professionalism, mutual understanding for the entire World Health Assembly and global health governance. The Pre-World Health Assembly will introduce an in-depth follow-up procedure in order to both record and analyze the impact of the event as well as ensure future empowerment and participation of youth within global health projects and advocacy. Youth Participation - A benefit for young people and society as a whole Benefits for Participants Social Inclusion Self-development & Confidence Civilian responsibility Benefits for Youth Social cohesion Team Spirit & Synergies Mobilization & Collective Action Dialogue & understanding between social, cultural & education strata Benefit for Society Youth perspective in national & international policies Innovation & creativity Intergenerational harmony Fostering tomorrow's leaders

Educative function

Youth People on the Global Health Agenda 1. Young people 10-24 years of age are a large population1.8 billion people globally one quarter of all people. 2. The health issues that most affect the youth are: mental health, violence and injuries, early pregnancy and childbirth, sexual coercion, unprotected sex, substance use (tobacco and harmful use of alcohol), HIV, and malnutrition.

3. The health status of young people has important consequences for future health and the health care expenditure. The health status of young people can affect the next generation. Support for Youth Participation in Global Health 1. The World Program on Action of Youth includes Participation in decision making in its 15 priorities, under the cluster Youth in civil society, paragraphs 104-107 of the Resolution on World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond (A/RES/50/81) 2. The United Nations Resolution on Promoting youth participation in social and economic development (A/RES/62/126) Urges Member States to involve young people and youth-led organizations in the development of national policies that affect them (Paragraph 12), to ensure the full participation of young people and youth-led organizations in the development of policies designed to meet national youth goals and targets, (Paragraph 14), [to ensure] that young people are recognized as active agents in decision-making processes and for positive change and development in society, Recognizes the positive contribution that youth representatives make to the GA and other UN bodies and their role as an important channel of communication between young people and the UN, to facilitate their effective participation in meetings; national youth councils or their equivalent bodies are effective channels of cooperation and information exchange between young people, their national Governments and other decision makers and that strong youth councils can provide opportunities for more young people to become active in decision-making and in shaping their societies, in this regard welcomes the political and financial support provided by Member States to their creation and sustained development , and invites all States to continue and to increase such support (Paragraph 18 - 21) 3. The World Health Organization, World Health Assembly resolution on Youth and health risks, WHA 64.2: This is the first youth resolution since 1989 and was pushed forward by Tunisia, Finland and Hungary with a broad support from all member states. The

resolution asks member states to facilitate youth participation, collect data, review policies and strategies, provide information to protect health, make health systems responsive. Specifcally, the resolution states that supporting the role of young people, with special attention to youth organizations, with a view to facilitating young peoples empowerment and participation in influencing their environments and shaping public policy. (Recalling the resolutions that directly address young people: WHA38.22 on maturity before childbearing and promotion of responsible parenthood; WHA42.41 on the health of youth; WHA56.21 on the strategy for child and adolescent health and development, WPR/RC39.R12 Rev.1 on adolescent health; EM/RC43/R.11 on health education of adolescents; AFR/RC51/R3 on adolescent health: a strategy for the African Region; EUR/RC55/R6 on the European strategy for child and adolescent health and development; and CD48.R5 on the Pan American regional strategy for improving adolescent and youth health)

1. Description
The Pre-World Health Assembly for youth is designed as a three-day event, consisting of a series of workshops for students and young people to be held between May 16-20, 2013 in Geneva, Switzerland, directly preceeding the 66th World Health Assembly. This event has three primary goals: 1) Development of a joint-youth strategy in order to streamline the efforts of various youth organizations & representatives 2) Development of skills for advocacy, health care leadership, and policy engagement towards action on global health within youth participants 3) Empowering youth participants to take on further advocacy projects, creating a snowball effect for youth education and empowerment in the world of global health.

2. Objectives
The key objectives of this workshop are to:

Introduce the concept of global health and global health diplomacy to students and young people and for them to gain first insights into the theme. Provide in-depth background knowledge and future outlooks on key topics covered by this years World Health Assembly Provide a venue for youth, both young individuals and youth organizations, attending the annual World Health Assembly to prepare collectively and harmonize advocacy efforts in order to strengthen the youths voice during health negotiations by: o Preparing a joint strategy and working plan for the World Health Assembly (i.e. presenting joint interventions interventions, targeting key stakeholders) o Planning potential areas of collaboration and joint action beyond the World Health Assembly. Provide the opportunity for students to network with other students, student and professional organizations as well as leaders in healthcare. Design a joint follow-up mechanism of key global and regional events on youth Facilitate future partnerships between youth organizations for joint action, in order to strengthen synergies and avoid duplication. Invite youth from around the world to attend the Pre-World Health Assembly virtually (through live-streams and social media). Ensure media coverage and updates of the Pre-World Health Assembly and the World health Assembly from the students perspective, through various media

3. Participants
We aim to gather 30 participants from around the world, ensuring diverse representation regarding geographic location and background knowledge and experience. An open call for applications will be distributed to youth organizations that previously attended the World Health Assemblies (i.e. International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF), Universities Allied for Essential Medicine (UAEM), publich health students, nursing students, health workers, etc.). In addition a call for applications will be posted on the IFMSA website and its social media channels (i.e.

Facebook, Twitter, blog), in order to attract applicants that are not (yet) part of a youth network. All applications will need to include of a letter of motivation, curriculum vitae, and expectations for the meeting, individual goals for the World Health Assembly and future individual goals in global health. Applicants will be selected via a selection committee that will use a blinded scoring sheet to determine a ranking of all applicants. Applicants will be selected according to expressed motivation for global health leadership and in the future, recorded experience of positive engagement in global health advocacy and service, goals for the World Health Assembly and beyond. A priority will be set on creating a diverse group with widespread representation between youth organizations and independent applications. In order to ensure diverse representation and empower individuals from the global south, scholarships reimbursing travel expenses and participation fees will be provided to participants from the global south. We envision this cohort to continue playing an active role not only before and during the World Health Assembly, but also to become future active participants and leaders in global health issues at both international and national levels. We also envisage this cohort to become advocates, peer educators and organizers for future workshops in global health in order to act as multipliers of the initial event. All participants will be expected to prepare for the pre-WHA workshop, build upon the acquired knowledge and skills during the workshop and carry out targeted actions within the field of global health beyond the workshop. CRITERIA FOR YOUTH DELEGATES The Criteria used to select Youth Delegates included that they: Ages 17 to 29 Have prior experience and be involved directly related to the promotion, implementation and or advocacy for primary health care, health-related campaigns, Millenium Development Goals, etc. Be fluent in English (they will engage in debates with other youth delegates and may make presentations at the Pre-World Health Assembly event). Be expected to attend a Pre-World Health Assembly Event from May 16th-20th

Be expected to attend the World Health Assembly Event May 20th-28th. Regional representation and diversity, especially with emphasis on reaching global south

4. Virtual Participants
As an alternative to attending the Pre-World Health Assembly in person, there will be a possibility to attend the Pre-World Health assembly virtually. Key events of the Pre-World Health Assembly will be live-streamed on the internet and there will be a possibility for virtual participants to interact, comment and ask questions via Skype and Twitter. Virtual participants will also be able to comment on draft-statements and interventions written by Pre-World health Assembly Participants towards the World Health Assembly. Furthermore, everyone will be invited to participate in the Social Media Strategy (see below), by contributing to Twitter feeds and writing blog-posts. Virtual participation in the Pre-World Health Assembly will be open to anyone. An open invitation for all events will be distributed to youth organizations that previously attended the World Health Assemblies (i.e. International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF), Universities Allied for Essential Medicine (UAEM), etc.). In addition an invitation will be posted on the IFMSA website and its social media channels (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, blog) in order to attract as many participants as possible.

5. Proposed Program
Time Thursday, 16.05 Friday, 17.05 Welcome IFMSA Trainers 09.00 10.30 Introduction: Global Health & Global Health Diplomacy Dr. Ilona Kickbusch, Global Health Programme., The Graduate Institute, Geneva Break Introduction: World Health Organization 11.00 12.30 Saturday, 18.05 Expert Talk Consultative Expert Working Group TBC Expert Talk - Human Resources in Health (HRH) Representative, Global Health Workforce Alliance Break Expert Talk - Sexual & Reproductive Health TBC* Working Groups on Topics of the WHA Agenda Small Working Groups Lunch Working Groups on Topics of the WHA Agenda Small Working Groups (Facilitated by IFMSA Trainers) Sunday, 19.05 Advocacy Case Study on Nutrition Debriefing TBC* Developing a Youth Strategy for the WHA Small Working Groups Break Developing a Youth Strategy for the WHA - Introduction IFMSA Trainers Working Groups on Developing a Youth Strategy for the WHA Small Working Groups Lunch Introduction: Youth Collaboration beyond the World Health Assembly IFMSA Trainers Daily Briefing Session of Youth Delegates & Youth Organizations during the WHA May 20th May28th

10.30 11.00

Mihaly Kokny (tbc)

Introduction: 66th World Health Assembly Agenda TBC*

12.30 14.00

Arrival of Participants

Lunch

Working Groups on Topics of the WHA Agenda 14.00 15.30

Small Working Groups Advocacy Case Study on Nutrition Introduction TBC* Working Groups on Youth Collaboration beyond the World Health Assembly Small Working Groups Break Feedback & Evaluation IFMSA Trainers

15.30 16.00

Break Expert Talk - Social Determinants of Health (SDH) Dr. Eugonio Villar, WHO Expert Talk - Post-2015 Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) TBC* Keynote Speech & Reception "Global Health Past, Present & Future" TBC*

Break Advocacy Case Study on Nutrition Simulation Exercise

16.00 17.30

Interactive Exercise Free Afternoon

17.30 20.00

Joint Dinner & Social Program - City Tour

Joint Dinner & Social Program Intercultural Night

Farewell Dinner & Social Program

*TBC Speaker to be confirmed.

6. Format & Methodology

Overview The Pre-World Health Assembly organizing team will target influential and compelling speakers and activists who have been driving positive change, technical experts and high profile public figures to attend the Pre-World Health Assembly as keynote speakers and deliver lectures to participants. The three-day workshop will utilize a wide array of methods, including interactive lectures and presentations, panel discussions, working groups, negotiation exercises, videos, and individual/group presentations. Small workings groups Participants will be split up into five thematic Small Working Groups. Each working on a specific area to develop youth strategy and carry out targeted actions during the World Health Assembly. This will increase both productivity and impact of the Pre-World Health Assembly and Youth Participation as a whole. The primary aim of each of the Small Working Groups is to develop a concrete strategy to pursue during the World Health Assembly, assuring that the input of the youth is heard and taken seriously at the World Health Assembly. Actions will include preparing statements, preparing for specific meetings with influential individuals, asking targeted questions during Side-Events, etc. Each day of the Pre- World Health Assembly individual groups will be given time to meet and further develop their strategy. Additionally, The Pre-World Health Assembly Organizing Committee will organize expert talks on the five thematic groups described above. Invited speakers will help further refining the strategy for youth for these specific topics. The five thematic groups selected for this years World Health Assembly are: 1. Social Determinants of Health 2. Post-2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 3. Consultative Expert Working Group (CEWG) on Research and Development 4. Human Resources for Health (HRH)

5. Sexual and Reproductive Health Media Group The Pre-World Health Assembly will incorporate the use of new technologies and digital media to introduce the voices of youth around the world to the debates. During the entire Pre-World Health Assembly and World Health Assembly there will be a group of participants responsible for hosting a media-hub. The media group will provide coverage of the Pre- World Health Assembly and World Health Assembly from the youth perspective and will provide a space for interviews, video commentaries, blogs, etc. The media center will also provide a space for young participants themselves to update directly on the proceedings of the Pre-World Health Assembly and the World Health Assembly through blogs, online uploads and Twitter feeds. Furthermore, the media hub will provide the opportunity for youth not present at the event (i.e. online participants) to voice their perspective on the discussed topics. Briefing Sessions during the World Health Assembly There will be one hour each day at which all participants of the Pre-World Health Assembly meet during the World Health Assembly to update on the events of the day and strategize for upcoming actions. The exact timing of these meetings will be decided during the Pre- World Health Assembly. Social Program & Cultural Evening The Pre-World Health Assembly Organizing Committee will organize a social event each evening of the Pre-World Health Assembly in order to promote informal gatherings between the participants. The Organizing Committee will also organize at least one evening to celebrate cultural and social heritage of all nationalities attending the Pre-World Health Assembly through joint inter-cultural activities. Through these actions we anticipate to promote cross-cultural understanding and further bonding of participants.

Online Contributors & Participants Young people from all over the world and different backgrounds will be invited to contribute to the content of the Pre-World Health Assembly through online spaces and threads. The media group will be the primary responsible group overseeing the activities and posts of online contributors. Materials Provided to Participants They will be given background-reading materials, given the chance to introduce themselves to each other, and have the opportunity to share initial ideas and insights about the workshop goals and expectations. The primary means of communication will be via a google group. Participants will be provided with an online Starter Kit, which will contain technical information and background material on specific agenda items.

7. Expected Outcomes
Develop a concrete youth strategy towards the World Health Assembly, with particular focus on five key areas (1-Social Determinants of Health, 2-Post 2015 Millennium Development Goals, 3-Consultative Expert Working Group, 4-Human Resources for Health, 5-Sexual and Reproductive Health) Increase visibility and impact of youth participation and collaboration at the World Health Assembly through presenting joint statements, strong physical and online presence, coordinating personal and group meetings between youth and stakeholders within the WHO, its member states and the civil society. Promote youths actions via various media channels (press, blog-posts, videos, twitter, facebook) Provide youth a better understanding of global health diplomacy and its importance at national and global levels.

Develop of skills for advocacy, health care leadership, and policy engagement towards action on global health within youth Foster of a sense of community amongst youth coming from a variety of different, social, cultural and geographic backgrounds Empower future leaders in health with enhanced knowledge and understanding of global health issues Establish a steering committee, responsibly for follow-up of a strategy on youth participation and collaboration in global health, with the aim to promote joint advocacy and project ideas pertaining to global health issues at local, national and international levels between various youth organizations

8. Follow-up Plan
Facilitate the establishment of a steering committee for the follow-up on the agreed youth strategy for youth participation and collaboration in global health. Follow-up on outcomes and discussions between youth and the WHO, its member states and the civil society in order to identify opportunities to link-up participants and/or their respective youth organizations with international NGOs, advocacy groups, and research institutions working on addressing global health issues at national and international levels. Provide independent participants the opportunity to become involved in international initiatives of participating associations and federations, via inviting them to join mailing servers or providing contact information to specific youth representatives. Continue discussions on the Google group in order to encourage interaction among participants even after the Workshop and World Health Assembly. Continue discussions on Google group in order to encourage participants to initiate joint projects and activities pertaining to global health projects in their own countries

and track their progress Evaluation the outcomes of the Pre-World Health Assembly Workshop for Youth. Within a period of three months following the Pre-World Health Assembly, each youth delegate will be requested to report on concrete steps that they have undertaken to initiate follow-up action. A monitoring document will be developed and updated regularly based on the different activities that were conducted by individuals. Similarly, a follow-up survey will be sent to each youth-organization represented at the Pre-World Health Assembly. The analysis of this survey will aim at which actions have been performed on the organizational level in order to identify opportunities and shortcomings for future actions. Evaluate the program of the Pre-World Health Assembly Workshop for Youth, via on online survey, and commence plans for the Pre-World Health Assembly Workshop for Youth the following year in 2014.

9. Workshop Organizing Team

Pre-World Health Assembly Organizing Committee Committee of 8 individuals appointed by the IFMSA to organize logistics, fundraising and programming of event. The organizing committee consists of representatives from the following countries: IFMSA Liaison Officer to the World Health Organization overall coordination and communication with WHO. Program development. IFMSA Liaison Officer to Student Organizations communication with other student and youth groups. Coordination of application and registration process. IFMSA President Coordination and communication with the Global Health Programme at The Graduate Institute, Geneva and World Medical Association. Program Development.

10.

Partners

Global Health Programme at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva contribution through curriculum development and providing venue at the Institute. Since 2007, the Graduate Institutes Global Health Programme (GHP) in Switzerland has initiated and piloted the successful development and implementation of executive training in global health diplomacy with: an annual flagship course in Geneva for participants from all around the world (conducted in collaboration with the Graduate Institutes Executive Education Department), regional courses conducted in cooperation with countries China, Indonesia, saKenya, Hungary and Turkey, and courses conducted with WHO HQ and regional offices including an online course. Based on accumulated experiences in Geneva and worldwide, the GHP develops standardised training materials for capacity building in global health diplomacy which support and complement the courses.

11.

Financing and Registration Fees

Registration Fee: 430 Euros The registration fee is all-inclusive and will cover accommodation, venue, food and programming for the entire Pre-World Health Assembly Workshop (May 16th-20th). Scholarships We aim to provide travel assistance scholarships to young people that has express financial need and are actively involved in projects on health related topics in their home communities. Specifically, we aim to provide scholarships youth representing the global south and in particular women. Our target is to cover 75% of associated costs. Fundraising We are trageting funding from a variety of donors non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, governments, development agencies, grants and private sector companies. We are looking for sponsors to provide opening dinners/lunechons, sessions, travel assistance

or scholarships and direct contributions.

12.

Contact Details

Roopa Dhatt IFMSA President president@ifmsa.org Renzo Guinto IFMSA Liaison Officer to the World Health Organization lwho@ifmsa.org Christopher Pleyer Head of the Organizing Committee chrispleyer@gmail.com