The IFMSA Statement on Universal Children's Day

By Yelena Petrosyan (Armenia).

20 NOVEMBER 2006 FERNEY-VOLTAIRE

On the occasion of Universal Children's Day, the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA) calls on the world to keep its commitment and act to reduce the mortality rate among children under five, by two thirds, as per the Millennium Development Goal number four. The IFMSA Standing Committee on Reproductive health including AIDS (SCORA) is dedicating the November issue of its newsletter to the prevention of child labor, child prostitution and the right to reproductive health education. In addition, many active members of IFMSA Standing Committee on Human Rights and Peace (SCORP) are organizing child art exhibitions, which include refugee and local children’s paintings.

Every year, almost 10.5 million children die before their fifth birthday - that's 30,000 children each day. Most of these children live in developing countries and die from a disease or multiple illnesses that could be treated or prevented easily. Malnutrition contributes to over half of these deaths. Since the beginning of time children had not only been the symbol of prosperous future of mankind, but also the most vulnerable step in generation change. Even in modern society where human rights are well protected, we can still see many examples of children’s rights abuse.

Over the past few years, IFMSA has extensively focused on projects and activities regarding children, with special emphasis on refugees and illegal migrants. These projects have ranged from Christmas parties in refugee camps to basic health care, children’s art exhibitions and even god parenting. A large number of projects have been set up to raise awareness amongst school children regarding important issues such as conflict prevention, refugees and asylum seekers, and reproductive health. Being the voice of medical students worldwide, IFMSA and its members have always felt their responsibility in improving the life of the younger generation, regardless of their social status and country of origin.

IFMSA is one of the biggest student organizations in the world with over one million members in 92 countries worldwide. In official relations with the WHO since 1969, IFMSA is recognized as the international voice of medical students. Its activities include 7,000 medical student exchanges a year and a wealth of student-led projects which fall into four main fields of interest: medical education, public health, human rights and peace, and reproductive health including HIV/AIDS. All IFMSA activities have the ultimate motive of and preventing conflicts through friendship and increased global understanding.

On Behalf IFMSA Team of Officials 2006 – 2007