download pdf :: other eVagus issues

Introduction

The Millennium Campaign was launched in October 2002 to encourage citizens around the world in their efforts to hold governments to account for the promises they made at September 2000 Millennium Summit. At this summit 8 time-bound targets were agreed, the Millennium Development Goals or MDGs. When these targets are met they will signal the end extreme poverty around the globe. In order to achieve these targets there needs to be a global movement. However, change can only really occur at the country level. Therefore the campaign's approach is to persuade existing organizations, networks, and movements focusing on issues such as trade, education, health, women's rights, debt, AIDS, and development--essentially all those working for a fairer and better world--to come together under a single banner to show a unity of purpose and the strength of common determination. Poor countries must ensure greater accountability to their citizens and efficient use of resources. Wealthier countries must provide increased and more effective aid, faster and deeper debt relief and fairer trade rules, if poorer countries are to have a fair chance of achieving the Goals.

The Goals

The 8 Millennium Development Goals are:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development

If these goals are achieved then global health will improve. The link between poverty and health is very clearly described. If we wish to improve the health of the world we must do so by tackling the root determinants of ill health which are social, economic and political.

What Can We Do?

IFMSA is a global organisation working to improve global health and reduce health inequalities. Therefore we must join the Millennium Campaign. As medical students who care about global health we must do everything we can to ensure that the Millennium Development Goals are reached. The first step is to educate ourselves about the goals, the reasons behind them and their implications. The next step is to raise awareness amongst our fellow students and the wider population. We then need to take action doing whatever we can to help the goals be achieved personally but also making sure that our governments act towards achieving the goals.

Every country in IFMSA can take part in this campaign. Most members already have projects working to improve the health of their local communities. We must continue to strengthen and expand these projects as well as to ensure that our own governments live up to their promises.

IFMSA Policy

• IFMSA fully supports the Millennium Campaign.
• IFMSA encourages all its members to become actively involved in the Millennium Campaign.
• IFMSA urges governments around the world to ensure that the Millennium Development Goals are met.
• IFMSA fully supports the Global Call To Action Against Poverty and calls for fairer trade, abolishment of debt, and increased and more responsible aid.

Adopted August 2005 in Hurghada, Egypt

IFMSA Policy Statement on Universality and Integrality of Health Services

In accordance with the IFMSA's pursuit of global health we support the universality and integrality of health services.

We understand Universality as access to health services without discrimination regarding gender, race, socioeconomic status, age, religion or occupation.

We understand Integrality as the provision of health services in accordance to the bio-psycho-social aspects of each individual.

With this policy statement the IFMSA supports all NMOs willing to take action to promote universality and integrality of health services in their countries.

Adopted August 2005 in Hurghada, Egypt

And One More Policy Statement...

IFMSA supports Taiwan for observer status within the World Health Organization. Taiwan's population of 23 million people should not be excluded from the global health system. IFMSA takes no stand in the legal status of Taiwan.

Adopted August 2005 in Hurghada, Egypt