Introduction

Founded in 1951, the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA) is one of the world’s oldest and largest student-run organisations. It represents and connects more than 1.3 million medical students from 133 National Member Organisations (NMO) in 123 countries around the world.

IFMSA envisions a world in which all medical students unite for global health, and are equipped with the knowledge, skills and values to take on health leadership roles locally and globally. Its mission is to unite medical students worldwide to lead initiatives that positively impact the communities they serve; to represent the opinions and ideas of future health professionals in the field of global health; to build capacity through training, project and exchange opportunities; to build a sustainable and healthy future with consideration of the youth voice.

Standing Committees

In order to better categorise and facilitate the work that the IFMSA does, it has 6 Standing Committees focusing on different crucial health topics and medical student-related interests. Thousands of projects, activities, workshops and conferences are organised annually under these Standing Committees by medical students all around the globe, allowing students to become agents of change at home. The work of each Standing Committee is complemented by training, campaigns and advocacy efforts, giving youth space to learn in both formal and non-formal educational settings.

• Public Health (SCOPH)

• Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights including HIV/AIDS (SCORA)

• Medical Education (SCOME)

• Human Rights & Peace (SCORP)

• Professional Exchange (SCOPE)

• Research Exchange (SCORE)

Events

The IFMSA also organises several international conferences annually, namely the General Assemblies and Regional Meetings. 

IFMSA General Assemblies are among the biggest youth-led events around the world. Held twice a year – once in March, once in August – they are attended by over 800 medical students from 100+ countries! Host countries are elected one year prior to the meeting by the National Member Organizations (NMOs) of the Federation, giving the organization committee plenty of time to put together the optimal settings for medical students to learn, discuss, meet and exchange.

The IFMSAs General Assemblies hope to inspire the next generation of future physicians to become leaders and advocates through the exchange of ideas, networking and learning from the various programming sessions. They feature meetings of each Standing Committee; governance and decision-making sessions; training opportunities for self-skills development; inspiring activities and projects presentations. Delegates also discuss and vote on policies, candidatures, strategies, and more, in order to chart the IFMSA’s path forward. The executive board is elected at the March Meeting, while the rest of the Team of Officials and the members of the Supervising Council are elected at the August Meeting.

The Regional Meetings are similar to the General Assemblies, taking place every year in each IFMSA Region and are hosted by at least one NMO from the respective region. They are attended by NMOs from each region, and are an opportunity to strengthen the cohesion of the Region and work collaboratively toward regional priorities.

AMSA Singapore in IFMSA

AMSA Singapore is officially affiliated with the IFMSA as one of their National Member Organisations. Being a member of IFMSA, we strengthen the voice of our local medical students internationally. We provide our members with access to all opportunities and events available through IFMSA, a global network of motivated medical students and therefore opportunities for collaboration, international exchanges and clerkships, avenues for meaningful participation in policy-making and health advocacy, and platforms to learn from student leaders in healthcare. 

AMSA Singapore is active in the Standing Committees on Public Health, Medical Education, Human Rights & Peace, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights including HIV and Aids, and Professional Exchange. For more information on the activities that we have conducted under the Standing Committees, please take a look at our inaugural AMSA Singapore IFMSA Newsletter (2021) which recaps the AMSA Singapore IFMSA AY20/21 Team’s term.

We also send delegations to the IFMSA General Assemblies and Asia Pacific Regional Meeting, as well as to external events such as the World Health Assembly as IFMSA representatives.