Youth are the future: A promise or a formality?

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Mr. Amine Rais, a Moroccan 22 year old medical student at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Casablanca. He is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

“Youth are the future”.

We’ve all heard it, but does everyone believe it? Or is it just thrown around by decision makers without even thinking about the meaning behind it?

Many student-led organizations take the initiative and play an important role in involving and introducing youth to global health.

IFMSA, for example, a medical student organization, shapes and raises our future healthcare workers way beyond their medical curricula through its different standing committees; public health, human rights & peace, medical education, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and professional and research exchanges. All these committees take part in developing the medical student’s knowledge and capacities when it comes to global health, and help them get involved and contribute through on-ground activities and projects, policy making, advocacy, attending high-level meetings like the World Health Assembly (WHA), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Conference of the Parties (UNFCCC COP), the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the World Health Summit (WHS), and many more… 

Medical students that take part in these different initiatives acquire invaluable competencies and experience, they’re well-rounded individuals who contribute to their community in many ways.

Another mention-worthy initiative is the creation and implementation of the Youth Council by the World Health Organization, a platform that gives youth a voice at the decision-making tables, that involves them, and encourages them to communicate their energy, fears, passion, and ideas. With the main goal of engaging more youth, the WHO also supports its Member States in implementing a WHO Youth Delegate Program, now providing youth with multiple ways to attend the WHA and take part in shaping their future.

Empowering Future Generations: Youth-Led Innovations in Global Health

About the author

Amine is a Moroccan 22 year old medical student at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Casablanca. He has a great passion for global health and external affairs. He’s been a member of Medec’IN-Casa and IFMSA for 4 years, taken part in numerous opportunities and initiatives that helped shape the person he currently is.

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