Youth in Global Health: IFMSA at 71st World Health Assembly and Youth PreWHA, 2018

Abstract

On a Monday morning in May, dark clouds loom over Geneva, otherwise a host for lovely summer weather at this time of the year. The heavily-guarded entrance to Palais des Nations, home of the United Nations Office at Geneva, is bustling with smartly dressed men and women. A bunch of young students wait excitedly and in anticipation to finally enter this 20th century building, an imposing architecture and a testimony to years of multilateral diplomacy. As one of the most active centers for international diplomacy and home to multiple international organizations, including the World Health Organization, there could not be a better place for these bunch of paladins to learn and practice health diplomacy and advocacy. We were about to witness the 71st World Health Assembly at the World Health Organization, Geneva and represent voices of more than a million medical students worldwide. The next six days would be a potpourri of emotions, from being overwhelmed at entering the majestic assembly hall to being confused in between all the meetings and events.