Day 2 – Critical Thinking

Today was all about thinking critically. We were given an excellent workshop from the International Federation of Health and Human Rights Organizations. We were provided with hands-on tools for taking rights approach to health; with a focus on the right to health, right to freedom of discrimination, and right to participation. We were encouraged to think critically about the resources provided to us. We learned that the roots of a disparity in global health should not be understood merely as a medical, technical, or economic problem, but as a question of social justice, and that it our responsibility to work for the progressive and proactive realization of rights for all.

The activities and discussions were focused on specific and real case studies; something that I deeply appreciated. In these case studies, we pinpointed the violations of human rights, their respective causes, and their direct relationship to health. We faced the responsibility we have as healthcare professionals in order to eradicate these disparities. We also learned about the interdisciplinary approach; in the sense that holistic care of the patient stems from collaborative and inclusive teamwork. We also learned that these case studies represented a multi-faceted microcosm of issues, with disparities stemming from individual patient care (physicians, nurses, community health workers), from the work sphere (hospital administration), and from outside the work sphere (government, policy makers, economy).

We then split-up into our respective small working groups. To achieve one of my objectives for the meeting, I chose to participate the international project and activity small working group in order to learn about how to implement activities in a concrete and efficient way back home. In the small working group, we discussed the steps needed for the planning and implementation of an activity guided by a detailed and tangible mission and vision, as well as through the use of a strategic planning techniques, a concrete time-line, and a budget.

We then head to the project fair and learn about some more great projects. InCommunity and the HIV/AIDS elective projects really spoke to me, and I made a note to follow-up on their implementation in Chicoutimi.

Tonight’s plenary was very interesting. Listening to Yassen’s speech was something –  his views and plan of action were inspiring, and I was truly able to appreciate his talent and love for IFMSA and the students it serves. I learned so much from the other candidates as well, and tried to fathom how so much talent could be squeezed into one room.

Tonight’s social program was the National Food and Drinks Party. It was everything the other delegates set it out to be.