Vector Issue 12 - 2011

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www.ghn.amsa.org.au global health conference 2010 report 36 vector FEB <strong>2011</strong>
alexandra f r a i n & l u k e hamilton co-convenors global health conference executives The enthusiasm and inspiration of over 430 medical students from Australia and the Asia-Pacific region intersected in Hobart from July 1 to 4th, for the 6th Annual Australian Medical Students’ Association Global Health Conference. The theme was ‘Small Steps, Big Picture’, with a focus on empowering students with knowledge about issues that impact on health around the world, whilst equipping them with practical skills to get involved in advocacy and activism at a grassroots level. Delegates were addressed by Dr Helen Caldicott on the medical implications of nuclear power, by Reverend Tim Costello on child and maternal health, and by Professors Tony McMichael and Colin Butler on Climate Change and Health, just to name a few. The stream program provided delegates with an overview on issues such as water quality and access, refugee health, sexual health, Indigenous health and resource allocation. With over 66 speakers and tutors, it is impossible to convey the amount of information that was packed in to four days at the University of Tasmania, and even more impossible to describe the intangible benefits of having 430 motivated students in one place, with one growing global conscience. As well as being addressed by some of the most well respected figures in global health in Australia, some of the most profound learning came from our peers. Ten students from developing nations joined us through the AusAID International Seminar Support Scheme, and we were enlightened by what they could share about health in their countries. Workshops were also run by students, for students, through the AMSA Training New Trainers and Think Global initiatives. These programs allowed delegates to develop skills in leadership, advocacy and project management. The conference was also very lucky, with the support of the University of Tasmania, SecondBite, Scolorest and the Salvation Army, to be able to contribute to the local community through a food rescue after lunch each day. Delegates were so inspired by this that many of them returned breakfast foods for distribution after the conference as well. We certainly learned that the issues facing the health of the world are undoubtedly huge, and require action of a similar magnitude. We were powerfully urged by Nick Bearlin-Allardice in the closing address of the AMSA GHC to remember that it is not enough to simply attend a conference. There is so much work to be done in the realm of global health, as evidenced by the array of topics covered over the four days of the conference. If you are interested in putting the passion and excitement generated at the AMSA GHC to good use, please consider joining the Global Health Group at your university, or joining an advocacy group like World Vision, Oaktree, RESULTS, the Global Poverty Project or the Doctors for the Environment Australia. We hope that the AMSA Global Health Conference will be the springboard for many people, including you, into making a real, tangible difference in global health. www.ghn.amsa.org.au vector FEB <strong>2011</strong> 37
Page 1 and 2: vector www.ghn.amsa.org.au Issue 12
Page 3 and 4: contents 4 EDITORIAL 5 8 Reflection
Page 5 and 6: arthur cheung university of queensl
Page 7 and 8: to be coordinated, is a poignant in
Page 9 and 10: http://www.good.is/post/which-count
Page 11 and 12: Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty a
Page 13 and 14: the need for interventions to be pr
Page 15 and 16: of women who share in employment in
Page 17 and 18: aWindowintoGlobalHealth vector FEB
Page 19 and 20: It would be simplistic to assume th
Page 21 and 22: Progress to date: MDG5 is the worst
Page 23 and 24: aWindowintoGlobalHealth Goal 3: Emp
Page 25 and 26: Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, a
Page 27 and 28: SNAPSHOT 33 million people are curr
Page 29 and 30: PLAY A PART AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE U
Page 31 and 32: key goals 1. Raise the commitment o
Page 33 and 34: several hundred million additional
Page 35: I recently undertook my medical ele

Vector Issue 12 - 2011

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