What an atmosphere!
You won’t often get me lost for words but it is difficult to articulate the incredible atmosphere of enthusiasm, international cooperation, and fun (!) at the IFMSA conference in Canterbury. I have been reliably informed that there are 903 medical students from 92 countries, and it looked like all 903 were there for the opening ceremony in a stunning marquée where Richard Horton, editor of The Lancet, gave the keynote speech. I am not just saying this because he is my boss, but it was an incredible, and inspiring, rallying call for medical students to get more involved in doing something to address the social, political, and economic determinants of health, and being the barometers and champions of social justice. But don’t just take my word for it. I recorded his speech so that you can hear it for yourself so please listen and be prepared to be challenged.
The theme of the conference is access to essential medicines and there are workshops, plenary sessions, and debates on this topic happening all week. Yesterday, was the introductory session attended by over 350 students (the lecture theatre holds that number and it was packed!) and today there is bound to be a lot of controversy with a “pharma” debate with speakers from the drug industry, and non-governmental organisations, such as Medécins Sans Frontières Access to essential medicines campaign. I am sure the sparks will fly. I can’t wait! I will fill you in on the details of yesterday’s and today’s sessions later but I have to run for a train to get me back to Canterbury now. Bye for now R 
August 8th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
Dr. Richard Horton is the ultimate campaigner for global health (listen to his closing remarks linked above). As Horton states, “It is within our power to make this world a better place.” How can we do better? What are you going to do to ensure a global society of justice in health?