The International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), founded in 1951, is one of the world’s oldest and largest student-run organisations representing medical students worldwide. Its primary goal is to unite medical students from around the world regardless of economic, sociopolitical, racial factors, and beliefs. IFMSA represents over 1.3 million students from all over the world.
IFMSA’s activities at the local and national levels are primarily conducted through its six Standing Committees, which focus on major health-related issues that interest medical students. The Standing Committees are Medical Education, Public Health, Human Rights & Peace, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights including HIV and AIDS, Professional Exchanges, and Research Exchanges.
IFMSA is divided in five regions – Africa, Americas, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Mediterranean and Europe. HelMSIC belongs to the European Region and thus participates annually in the European Regional Meeting.
Through IFMSA, HelMSIC has the opportunity to participate in its General Assemblies, which are held twice a year, as well as in other events aimed at representing and educating medical students worldwide.
IFMSA holds two General Assemblies each year: one in March (March Meeting) and one in August (August Meeting). During these meetings, medical students from around the world gather through delegations to discuss, receive training, make decisions representing the medical students of their respective countries, and interact in a multicultural environment.
For these purposes, the content of the General Assemblies includes administrative sessions, where plenaries take place and resolutions are made on various matters, such as IFMSA’s policy documents, ratification of collaborations with externals, and elections for the IFMSA Executive Board.
Additionally, one of the main components is the educational sessions on current health-related topics and skills valuable to medical students.
Each IFMSA General Assembly also features an Activities Fair, during which some of the most significant programs organized by medical student organizations are showcased, allowing for the exchange of ideas and learning of new concepts.
IFMSA also holds an annual meeting for each of its Regions. HelMSIC participates in the European Regional Meeting, an international gathering of European medical students with purposes and content similar to those of the General Assemblies.
The IFMSA meetings offer a unique experience, fostering an atmosphere of cooperation, teamwork, and mutual respect, which is conveyed to participants regardless of whether the meetings are conducted remotely or in person.
HelMSIC actively participates every year in each IFMSA international meeting, preparing its delegation and representing Greek medical students with a consistently high-quality presence.
The International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) takes active measures on current global health issues, representing the needs and opinions of medical students, and involving them in international policies and positions related to health.
This is achieved through participation in high-level meetings with delegations of medical students from around the world, as well as organized advocacy efforts through these meetings. Notable examples include the World Health Assembly, WHO Executive Board Meeting, World Health Summit, AMEE Conference, COP and others.
Through its participation in IFMSA, HelMSIC offers Greek medical students the opportunity to attend such events, represent medical students, and advocate for their rights and desires on a global level.
As a member of both IFMSA and EMSA, HelMSIC provides medical students with international platforms to share their knowledge, thoughts, ideas, and concerns. One way this is achieved is through writing articles for online journals and newspapers, either published by IFMSA or its partners.
More specifically:
MSI – Medical Student International
This is the IFMSA’s official journal, focusing on global health. It is published twice a year during its two General Assemblies in March and August. Students have the opportunity to express their views on current issues, present projects and educational events, and share their experiences gained through these activities.
You can find more information on IFMSA’s website.
European Sting
European Stings is a political newspaper/website aimed at providing a free platform for discussing political, economic, and social issues, promoting freedom of speech and the free exchange of ideas, and denouncing “controlled” journalism.
IFMSA, having signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the European Sting, encourages the youth of Europe to express their concerns, whether they relate to the European region or extend beyond its borders. In every edition of the European Sting, there is a special section that includes the views of medical students, on a specific theme each time.
HelMSIC's Contribution
HelMSIC is one of the founding members of IFMSA, having significantly contributed to the Federation and its development over the years.
Events
HelMSIC has hosted various IFMSA events over the years, both administrative and educational. Hosting such significant and large-scale events for IFMSA allows us to maintain our active participation in the international network, support the Federation, and provide Greek medical students with easier access to internationalization opportunities for our universities.
Specifically, we have hosted:
- 1966: 16th IFMSA General Assembly in Athens
- 1972: IFMSA Winter Meeting in Athens
- 1974: IFMSA Medical Summer School in Thessaloniki
- 1979: IFMSA Medical Summer School in Thessaloniki
- 1982: 62nd Exchanges Officers’ Meeting in Delphi
- 1993: 83rd Exchanges Officers’ Meeting in Athens
- 1998: 93rd Exchanges Officers’ Meeting in Athens
- 2016: European Regional Meeting in Thessaloniki
- 2017: Team of Officials Meeting 1 in Athens
- 2023: Team of Officials Meeting 2 in Athens
Leadership
Many active members of HelMSIC have served in various leadership positions within IFMSA, volunteering for the Federation. HelMSIC has had the honor of holding the IFMSA Presidency for five terms, and we are very proud of our members:
- IFMSA President in 1962: Vasilios Tsemanis
- IFMSA President in 1985 and 1987: Giorgos Karianakis
- IFMSA President in 1999: Mohamed El Batta
- IFMSA President in 2023/24: Evelina Roubou
- IFMSA Vice-President for Finances (VPF) 2022-23: Evelina Roubou
- IFMSA Liaision Officer for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Issues, incl. HIV and AIDS (LRA) 2020-21: Christos Papaiouannou
HelMSIC International Training
HelMSIC plays an active role in the training of medical students worldwide, organizing the HIT (HelMSIC International Training) since 2018. Read more about the event and how you can become an adult trainer through HelMSIC here.
Awards
Our international activities were recognized in 2009 by the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity, which awarded HelMSIC the “International Action of the Year” award.
Additionally, IFMSA has honored HelMSIC’s activities with the prestigious Rex Crossley Award:
- 2011: “Breaking the Silence,” 1st place
- 2014: “Learning Strategies about Drugs,” 1st place
- 2021: “Health Festival,” 3rd place