IFMSA-NL celebrates its 30^th anniversary

Ragna Boerma

Four years ago. That was the first time I heard about a students’ organization at my university called IFMSA-NL. Participating in an exchange project with the University of Lisbon was my first step into the world of IFMSA. A world that turned out to be a lot bigger than I could have imagined. In a Portuguese coffee bar my classmates tried to explain what IFMSA-NL is. I immediately got lost in all abbreviations, but it did raise an enthusiasm and curiosity in me. How much time does it take? was one of the questions I asked, when I started thinking about becoming a member. Just as much as you want, was the answer. Now, four years later, I must say they did not lie to me at the time. But if they had told me that I would spend almost my entire medical school career on IFMSA-NL, I am not sure if I would have made the decision to join. But as we all remember this dilemma, we also know the feeling that all these hours of emailing, discussing and brainstorming have been more than worth it.

 

 

In 1978 a group of idealistic students came together with the idea to create an organization of Dutch medical students. Because of busy study schedules and a financially unfortunate time, the start of this organization was slow. It took two years of brainstorming and preparations before in May 1980 NeMSIC, the Netherlands Medical Student International Committee, was officially founded. The main goal was to establish an exchange project, to make it possible for Dutch medical students to experience medical school and health care Simultaneously the Dutch NeMSIC members would host medical students from other countries. In 1981 NeMSIC had 52 students coming to the Netherlands to do an exchange and 58 Dutch students going abroad.   During the following years, NeMSIC continued to grow. The organization did not only focus on exchanges anymore, but got a wider perspective. The Standing Committee on the Prevention of Nuclear War, founded at two Dutch faculties is an example of this.

Budget monitoring

Governments of developing countries insufficiently invest in health. In order to invest in health more adequately, the Budget Monitoring project

was started in Bangladesh, Bolivia, Kenia and Zambia in 2007. Main activities include training to improve policymaking, lobbying strategies and

empowerment of involved organizations. In Bangladesh, community budget clubs lobbied for more money for health care. In Kenia, accomplishments

of the government to improve, for instance the access to health care are closely monitored. Also information about health in households is collected

to strengthen their lobby. In Zambia, a national NGO together with WEMOS promotes the voice of the local population in the process of improving

health and more efficient investments in health care. Achievements of these programmes are very promising.

Later NeMSIC changed its name into IFMSA-The Netherlands, a name easier to recognize worldwide. At this time, two international medical student associations were active in The Netherlands: IFMSA-NL and EMSA (European Medical Student Association). EMSA was founded in 1992 in Belgium.  Both associations have similar goals and target groups and therefore started to work together.

 

On 22 May 2010 current members, alumni and externals will come together to celebrate the 30^th birthday of IFMSA-NL. Speakers from different backgrounds are invited to give a speech. The new IFMSA-NL band will give its very first performance and the anniversary book will be handed out.  The first 30 years of NeMSIC and IFMSA-NL were very promising for years to come. IFMSA-NL hopes that it can continue work for medical education, science, human rights, ethics, integration and global health.