International Women Day

Article written by Jonathan P. Mamo (Malta)

SCORP celebrates Human Rights day within its respective NMOs by organising activities which have some form of relationship, be it direct or indirect, to a particular group of human rights. Each project strives to be as successful as possible and in most cases the results are phenomenally positive. I was reading through this blog the other time and had to ask myself… WHY was this day chosen? And what was it initially chosen to represent? So to answer this question I conducted some research and came up with the following;



Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on 10th of December. The date was chosen to honour the United Nations General Assembly's adoption and proclamation, on the 10th of December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first global enunciation of human rights. The UN’s General Assembly invited all interested organisations to celebrate the day as they saw fit. The day is a high point in the UN calendar and is normally marked by political conferences, meetings and by cultural events and exhibitions dealing with human rights issues. Many governmental and non-governmental organisations, such as the IFMSA, active in the human rights field, also schedule special events to commemorate the day. The theme of the day for 2006 was the fight against poverty as a human rights issue.

Human Rights are concerned with the relationship of people with their society. It involves the rights and responsibilities that the society affords and the duties and obligations that are implied. Every woman, man and child has the human right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, without discrimination of any kind. Enjoyment of the human right to health is vital to all aspects of a person's life and well-being, and is crucial to the realization of many other fundamental human rights and freedoms.

Promoting and protecting health and respecting, protecting and fulfilling human rights are inextricably linked. Violations or lack of attention to human rights can have serious health consequences such as expressed in the issues of slavery, torture and violence against women and children – these, unfortunately, being ever present in our advancing societies. Vulnerability to ill-health can be reduced by taking steps to respect, protect and fulfil human rights (e.g. the right to health, food, nutrition, education and housing). In learning about human rights, we learn about ideas of respect, fairness, justice and equality. We learn about standing up for our own rights and about our responsibility to respect the rights of others. There are a number of basic rights that people from around the world have agreed on, such as the right to life, freedom from torture, other cruel and inhuman treatment, rights to a fair trial, free speech, freedom of religion, and the right to health, education and an adequate standard of living.

The attainment of human rights for all will be achieved only when each individual acknowledges the validity of these rights. Therefore, an understanding of human rights begins with the individual. Recognizing one's own basic human rights is the first step in the quest for achieving human rights for all. It is IFMSA’s role to educate both other medical students and also our respective communities about these basic rights. We are also duty bound to support other NGOs which work towards the same common goal.

And now… in just a few days time, on the 8th of March, the UN celebrates its next big event; International Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace – the one day chosen for a global celebration for the economic, social, political and scientific achievements of women. Whether you’re a woman or not; celebrate this day because without women none of us would be here to promote the rights which belong to us all. So make a difference, think globally and act locally! Make everyday an International Women's Day. Let’s all do our bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal and safe. For more information about the event please do browse the site http://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Art without borders

Written by Albert Delia, sent by Claude Bajada (Malta).

Like almost all other such initiatives, art without borders was born in pretty much the same way; an idea uttered during one of the organisation’s meetings. In a chorus of opinionated voices one pensively said “How about an art exhibition for refugee and local children?” The pint glasses went down slowly on the table tops and the bar saw for a brief moment a short period of contemplative silence, before again the voices started again, this time however following a single stream of thought.

The idea started gathering its own momentum and practically started moving perpetually, propelled by a lingering sense of smiling satisfaction everyone who came in contact with it was awarded after having helped. Although this article is intended to promote the opening of the exhibition on the 10th of December, and its duration till the 17th of the same month, I feel that it is only fitting that the readers know what was happening behind the scenes.

Most saw squiggles, stick figures, brightly (and at times mismatched) colours filling in the patchwork of simple yet expressive shapes that signify so much to a child’s mind. Others analysed scrupulously the subtexts of these paintings and, like a title-less book, tried to figure and read the contexts of the young hand out of which it came; and rightly so.

However, to those that were there drawing with the children, these little masterpieces are considerably more value-laden, since in addition to the memories the paintings themselves hold, with them are also those shared during our little makeshift art lessons. The assistance we got from people we met at times by chance was overwhelming, so to all those who helped; thank you.

The aim of our exhibition was always that of integration, inspiration and (to a degree) entertainment. The children, both those local and not, started originally drawing individually and finally together on the very day of the opening of the exhibition. This meeting of diverse youthful experiences is to commemorate Human Rights Day on the day of the opening of the exhibition.

The children themselves always greeted us with expectant smiles (at times toothless ones too). Enthusiastic shouts of “More paper please!” filled the air most of the time. Concentrated glances stared at coloured sheets contemplating on the next creature that will shortly inhabit their rainbow coloured lands. At times their passion inspired us too, catching the occasional adult scribbling away at his little canvas wasn’t a rarity; pictures screamed nostalgia. Soon we became the messengers to old St Nick being given requests for paint brushes, paints and paper for Christmas, not to mention the new friends we’ve made along the way. As much of a cliché as some of the above is I really do have to say that there really was some Christmas spirit lingering in the air.

However, kids will be kids, there can’t a painting lesson without the occasional a poster coloured smudged face, an unplanned palm print on a wall, a paint stain on one’s shirt, irony is the kids where cleaner then I was. As I write what you are reading, behind me lies a stack of paintings, a month’s worth of Sunday afternoons, although I believe that the worth of these sheets is considerably more profound then just the time spent on them, 30 of them will be exhibited. Side by side the works of younger versions of yourself will be hung for public display each little artist having his own individual and diverse back-story. Stories spreading across continents and savannas, as well as stories from the villages we all know so well. This truly was an experience of collaboration through the universal language that is art.

Human Rights Day: A mark in IFLMS-SCORP

By Thatyana Ernani (Brazil). Translations: Portuguese.

Human Rights Day was remarkable in the still recent SCORP history within IFLMS. SCORP activities, up until now, were limited to the local committee from Faculdade de Medicina de Marília – FAMEMA. In this special SCORP date, however, two other local committees, from Universidade Federal do Ceará – UFC and Universidade Federal de Pernambuco – UPE, also celebrated Human Rights Day.

UFC, in partnership with the Associação Comunitária de Ajuda Mútua do Pirambu – ACAMP, visited the slum quarter of Pirambu, one of the largest in Latin America. On Saturday, the 9th, along with the social photographer Robson Oliveira, the students met and photographed everyday scenes of the slum quarter. The scenes were shocking: kids playing in big, open air garbage disposals, a group of youths bathing in an extremely dirty beach, and so on. Along their walk, students from UFC talked to the inhabitants – and only by getting some attention, they were already very happy.

On Sunday, the 10th, in ACAMP’s centre, the students had feijoada (a typical Brazilian dish with black beans and pork) for lunch. They had their meal with representatives from the Central Única de Favelas (CUFA), from the Movimento dos Sem-Terra (MST), and from the local community. Ana Débora Uchoa Soares, one of the students from UFC, described the rest of the day as the following:

"After that, there was a brief meeting, in which we showed the movie with the photos presentation, and discussed the subject! This part was really good! Listening to DIFFERENT opinions from DIFFERENT groups is a very enriching experience! Then came the time for games! Basketball in the square, volleyball on the beach! And of course, members of IFLMS were playing! The whole evening was about recreation, hip hop (yes, that’s it… we even had hip hop with the bros and the gals ;)), and an available microphone for whoever wanted to ask for something! The night was the most beautiful moment… We put up a white blanket on a barrack in the square, and projected on it the images of the previous day. Do you know what it feels like to see the children’s eyes shining as they see their photos projected so that everyone could see them?"

The inhabitants were very happy with the visit from UFC’ students, they thanked them a lot, and the movie that was made has already been sent to Fortaleza’s mayor, demanding action to be taken in Pirambu’s area. And of course, the students were even more motivated to continue with SCORP’s activities in their local committee!

In UPE, the campaign took place only on the 10th, just like in Marília, with FAMEMA. As the majority of the students was already on vacations, the activities were a lot simpler – but not less significant!

In the court of the cultural space of UPE, copies of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were distributed while a LORP, Diego, sang and played song related to human rights and peace.

IFMSA-SCORP… I wish one day I can say that these two committees that opened its doors to SCORP have motivated another two committees, and these two, another two, and so on, till every local committee from IFLMS has a very active SCORP!

Dia dos direitos humanos: Um marco no SCORP-IFLMS

By Thatyana Ernani (Brazil). Translations: English.

O Dia dos Direitos Humanos foi marcante na história ainda recente do SCORP – IFLMS. As atividades do SCORP, até então, estavam limitadas ao comitê local da Faculdade de Medicina de Marília – FAMEMA. Nesta data especial para o SCORP, entretanto, outros dois comitês locais, da Universidade Federal do Ceará – UFC e Universidade Federal de Pernambuco – UPE, também comemoraram o Dia dos Direitos Humanos.

A UFC, em parceria com a Associação Comunitária de Ajuda Mútua do Pirambu – ACAMP, visitou a favela de Pirambu, uma das maiores da América Latina. No sábado, dia 9, junto com o fotógrafo social Robson Oliveira, os alunos conheceram e fotografaram cenas cotidianas da favela. As cenas foram chocantes: crianças brincando em lixões, um grupo de jovens tomando banho numa praia imunda e assim por diante. Ao longo da caminhada, os alunos da UFC conversavam com os moderadores – e só destes receberem atenção, ficavam muito contentes.

No domingo, dia 10, na sede da ACAMP, os alunos almoçaram feijoada com representantes da Central Única das Favelas – CUFA, do Movimento dos Sem-Terra – MST e com membros da comunidade. Ana Débora Uchoa Soares, participante da UFC, descreveu o restante do dia assim:

“Depois houve uma breve reunião, onde mostramos o filme com a apresentação das fotos e discussão do assunto! Essa parte foi muito boa! Ouvir opiniões DIFERENTES de grupos DIFERENTES é uma experiência engrandecedora! Daí veio a hora dos jogos! Basquete na pracinha, vôlei na praia! E é claro os membros da IF jogando! Foi a tarde inteira de recreação, hip hop (isso msm.. teve até hip hop com os mano e as mina;)) e microfone aberto pra quem quisesse reivindicar algo! A noite houve o momento mais lindo... Colocamos pendurado num barraco na pracinha um lençol branco e projetamos as imagens feitas no dia anterior. Sabem o que é ver o olhinho das crianças brilhando vendo a foto delas sendo projetadas para todos verem?”

Os moradores ficaram muito felizes com a visita dos alunos da UFC, agradeceram bastante e o filme que foi gravado já foi enviado para a prefeitura de Fortaleza, exigindo ações na área de Pirambu. E claro, os alunos ficaram ainda mais motivados para continuar com atividades do SCORP no comitê deles!!!

Na UPE, a campanha aconteceu apenas no dia 10, assim como na FAMEMA. Como a maioria dos alunos de lá já estava de férias, as atividades foram mais simples – mas nem por isso menos significativas!

No pátio do espaço cultural da UPE, foram distribuídas cópias da Declaração Universal dos Direitos Humanos, enquanto um LORP, o Diego, cantou e tocou músicas relacionadas aos direitos humanos e paz.

SCORP-IFMSA... Espero um dia poder dizer que destes dois outros comitês que abriram o SCORP, mais outros dois da IFLMS sintam-se motivados, e que cada um desses motive mais dois, e assim sucessivamente, até que todos os comitês locais da IFLMS tenham um SCORP muito ativo!

Derechos para todos los días

By Thatyana Ernani (Brazil). Translations: English, Portuguese.
Traducido al castellano por Hsiu-Lin Ausón (Ecuador).

Hoy, cuando pensé en escribir sobre derechos humanos, lo primero que se me vino a la mente fue decir cómo ellos están presentes en mi vida diaria. Como estudiante de un curso PBL (Aprendizaje por resolución de problemas), tengo más libertad de discutir y cuestionar lo que quiero con mis amigos en los casos de estudio que recibimos.

Ahora, al final del año, ha habido muchas discusiones sobre derechos humanos y salud. En un caso de estudio, fuimos guiados a verificar si había alguna ley en Brasil que proteja a los trabajadores juveniles. Leímos el Estatuto de los niños y adolescentes, y vimos cuáles son las leyes especiales y derechos que ellos tienen.

En otro caso, más polémico, estudiamos las interrogantes éticas y legales con respecto al aborto. En Brasil, el aborto legal ocurre en dos situaciones: 1) cuando la vida de la embarazada corre peligro y 2) cuando la embarazada ha sido violada. Luego surgió una pregunta: de acuerdo a nuestro código médico de ética, un doctor no puede ser forzado a realizar un procedimiento con el que no está de acuerdo. Por otro lado, nuestra constitución especifica que un doctor no puede negar tratamiento a un paciente. Qué pasa entonces? Cuál documento tiene mayor importancia?

Otra pregunta que siguió fue qué es la vida. Si todos tienen derecho a la vida; desde qué punto de partida, o a qué edad es válida esta afirmación? Y la píldora del día después, ya que éstas evitan la formación de la vida, va su utilización en contra de los derechos humanos? Y de quién, si ni siquiera se ha formado un embrión?

Mis colegas y yo hemos enfrentado muchas preguntas similares. Es por ello que no puedo estar de acuerdo cuando alguien dice que sólo las personas de las áreas sociales deben ocuparse de los derechos humanos y leyes. NO ES ASÍ!!!! Todos tenemos el deber de conocer y reclamar sobre derechos humanos –no sólo los nuestros- sino los de los demás. Están ahí para protegernos! Como estudiante de medicina, este es el instrumento más poderoso que podemos usar para ayudar a mejorar la calidad de vida y salud.

Esta es también la razón por la que la educación en derechos humanos es tan importante. Empieza por ti mismo/a. Conoces la Declaración Universal de los Derechos Humanos? NO? Corre hacia lo correcto – infórmate.