Pre-RM2014

Yes, I know, I have been absent from this blog for a while now, but here I am again. I was supposed to submit this a few days ago, but here it is:

Upon ending the pre-RM, I find myself more enthusiastic and eager to continue learning about Global Health. The Global Health Workshop exceeded my expectations. I am more than impressed by the amount of information we were able to learn in such little time, with such enthusiastic trainers. We discussed topics such as, MDGs, post-2015 agenda, Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), non-communicable diseases (NCDs), advocacy, policy statements, health, the differences between global, international, and public health and many others. The nice thing about the workshop was that it was that each topic presented to us was followed by an interactive activity to stimulate discussion, debate, and critical thinking.

The thing I appreciated the most was learning how to write a policy statement. I think it is something concrete and important to know for my future involvement in global health and IFMSA. It was the most difficult part of the workshop that I thought would be impossible to finish in such little time. It was a challenge for which knowledge of all the information we had learned during the past 3 days was needed. Thankfully, we succeeded. Although I know more time, work, and effort is needed to write such a statement, I am glad to have had the opportunity to learn the steps towards being a great advocate for health.

I was also shocked by our MDG analysis and the existence of the TPP. I had never realized how unrealistic some of the goals and their timelines were, and how many important global health problems weren’t even included in the MDGs. I am very glad to have been a part of this workshop, and surrounded by many people with a common aim to learn and improve global health.

In addition, the people I have met so far during the Pre-RM are interesting, smart, funny, and are able to lead a stimulating discussion about important topics. It was nice to compare with them different aspects of our health care system, medical schools, from our respective countries. They are just wonderful people, and I am thankful to have met them all.