Be Empowered!
Hi there. Rhona here. Let me give you a quick introduction to Stephanie DeVita at the University Coalitions for Global Health. We had a brilliant phone chat this week about what we could do to help medical students from around the world join together to help to do something to make a difference ie campaign for change. Stephanie said that UCGH wants to become more campaigning beyond the US and she has suggested some global health topics that students everywhere could campaign on. We both very much want your feedback and you could do this by either emailing me (student@lancet.com) or Stephanie (see below), or you could simply just make your choice in the poll (also below). Thank you SO much. Now over to Stephanie-Rhona 
In earlier entries to this blog, we have heard stories of the student capacity to create change in our world. Whether its medical students rushing to the scenes of a natural disaster or coming together at the IFMSA Conference to support the Canterbury Declaration on access to essential medicines, this new student site is chalk full of examples of the power that students have to ignite change.
I also witness this power in my work with the University Coalitions for Global Health (UCGH) and have been blessed to campaign along side some of the great student activists of global health. Hosted by the Global Health Council, UCGH is a coalition aimed at synergizing efforts among all global health-focused organizations and individuals with a university presence. Working at both the national and campus level, UCGH empowers and brings together student organizations to unite around common campaigns and projects, multiplying their impact on global health issues.
Every year UCGH mobilizes students around three global health issues One of our most infamous campaign events occurred on World AIDS Day 2006. Students from all across the U.S. rallied, clutching the empty coats of doctors that have fallen victim to brain drain in sub-Saharan Africa, while 400 other students, dressed as giant needles, marched through the streets of Washington, D.C. demanding better legislation on access to essential medicines. Many people believe that the African Health Capacity Investment Act (currently in Congress in the US) was introduced in part because of the student demand for increased support for health care workers-proof that students create change.
We’re considering the following global health issues for the coming academic year campaigns:
- Health as a Human Right and the right to health
- Health Systems
- Access to Essential Medicines
- Child Health
- HIV/AIDS/PEPFAR Reauthorization
Please contact me at sdevita@globalhealth.org if you have other ideas, want to learn more about UCGH or talk about the global health issues you’re been working to change!
Students, especially medical students, should never underestimate their ability to change the world! It might sound cliché, but we are the future and if we intend to improve our world we need to start now. As the great Margaret Mead said “Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” In Solidarity- Stephanie
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