The most important aspect of our work within the Federation is undoubtedly working on a ground level, focusing on our own societies, dealing with the public health problems that we face on our daily life as medical students and our clinical practice as future health professionals. Our Federation provides us with a second important parameter, which is networking with each other, sharing best practices, cooperating internationally for a common vision, but separate missions and objectives.

Networking with external partners, such as Student Organizations, Public Health NGOs and Societies, UN Agencies, Regional Commissions, etc. is the third important aspect within our Federation. Dealing with all these people is primarily the field of the IFMSA Team of Liaison Officers, and for all Public Health Issues, the person within our Federation that deals with it, is the Liaison Officer for Public Health Issues, the SCOPH LO!

Out of the two cliché activities that most NMOs think that LOs do, namely finding external speakers and ordering publications, unfortunately the biggest part of the LO job may not affect that much the daily practice of the IFMSA members on a local level. However such activities are essential for the future of our Federation within the peculiar Global Public Health System and on a long - term basis, the impact can be of major importance for all SCOPHians around the world.

In the following paragraphs you can find some important External Partners that IFMSA is working with during the last years. Of course there are more external partners and newly established contacts that we are working on. For any questions, comments or requests, please don't hesitate to contact the IFMSA Liaison Officer for Public Health Issues, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Important External Partners for IFMSA SCOPH

World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA)

The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) is an international, nongovernmental, multi-professional and civil society organization bringing together public health professionals interested and active in safeguarding and promoting the public's health through professional exchange, collaboration, and action. Founded in 1967, it is the only worldwide professional society representing and serving the broad area of public health, as distinct from single disciplines or occupations. The Federations' members are national and regional public health associations, as well as regional associations of schools of public health presently numbering more than 70. WFPHA strives to promote effective public health policies and practices throughout the world every day.

The WFPHA GA takes place every year in Geneva, in parallel to the World Health Assembly. The Federation organizes the triennial World Congress on Public Health - WCPH. The International Students' Meeting on Public Health - ISMOPH is a satellite event to the 12th WCPH and IFMSA is the leading NGO supporter for this meeting.

More information about WFPHA: www.wfpha.org

Global Health Council (GHC)

The Global Health Council is the world's largest membership alliance dedicated to saving lives by improving health throughout the world. The Council works to ensure that all who strive for improvement and equity in global health have the information and resources they need to succeed. The GHC Annual Public Health Meeting takes place in Washington DC. Main fields of interest are Women's Health, Child's Health, HIV/AIDS, Infectious Diseases and Emerging Issues.

The GHC Newsletter is delivered regularly in the IFMSA SCOPH mailing list. All IFMSA members get free GHC membership.

More information about Global Health Council: www.globalhealth.org

European Public Health Association (EUPHA)

The European Public Health Association or EUPHA in short, is an umbrella organization for public health associations in Europe. EUPHA was founded in 1992. EUPHA is an international, multidisciplinary, scientific organization, bringing together around 12000 public health experts for professional exchange and collaboration throughout Europe. We encourage a multidisciplinary approach to public health.

The EUPHA Annual General Assembly is an interesting meeting for IFMSA Europeans to participate. Their focus among others is on health promotion, food and nutrition, no communicable and communicable diseases.

More information about EUPHA: www.eupha.org

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

UNICEF is a UN Agency mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behavior towards children. Main field of work of UNICEF is HIV/AIDS and Children, child protection, child survival and development, basic education and gender equality and policy advocacy.

The cooperation of IFMSA and UNICEF has strengthened lately. The IFMSA delegation in the Almaty Conference has worked closely with UNICEF for Primary Health Care and there is the perspective of close cooperation with UNICEF for upcoming events and meeting for child's rights and child protection.

More information about UNICEF: www.unicef.org

Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA)

The Global Alcohol Policy Alliance, founded in 2000, is a developing network of NGOs and people working in public health agencies, which share information on alcohol issues and advocate evidence-based alcohol policies. Resource centers affiliated to GAPA are already operating in the EU, USA, South America, India, South East Asia and Western Pacific regions. It is envisaged that the Alliance, in the not too distant future, will be able to establish centers in Africa. The GAPA mission is to reduce alcohol-related harm worldwide by promoting science-based policies independent of commercial interests.

The Chairperson of GAPA, Mr. Derek Rutherford, has participated in the IFMSA AM08, in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Since February 2009 the IFMSA Liaison Officer for Public Health Issues, is also a member of the GAPA Board.

GAPA is a founder of the Alcohol Policy Youth Network, where IFMSA SCOPH is a founding member. GAPA Magazine - THE GLOBE, is being delivered to the IFMSA National Public Health Officers by mail.

More information about GAPA: www.globalgapa.org

Child Family Health International (CFHI)

Child Family Health International (CFHI) is one of the leading nongovernmental organization (NGO) placing health science students on global health education programs in ways that are socially responsible and financially just. They model best global health education practices which demonstrate a priority commitment to community engagement and local integrity.

The interest of IFMSA Members is mainly focused in the CFHI Student Programs in Africa, Latin America and Asia. There is about to be signed a Memorandum of Understanding between IFMSA and CFHI.

More information about CFHI: www.cfhi.org

Medical Women's International Association (MWIA)

The Medical Women's International Association (MWIA) is an international NGO representing women doctors from all five continents. The association was founded in 1919. It is non-political, non-sectarian and non-profit making.

At the time when MWIA was founded, women doctors were a curiosity, and there was a need for a forum to discuss common concerns. Women physicians being the minority is no more, as women constitute at least 50% of many medical schools. As women become the majority of practicing physicians, a new set of concerns will emerge.

Main fields of MWIA interest are Domestic Violence, Adolescents Sexuality and Gender Mainstreaming in Health.

More information about MWIA: www.mwia.net

International Diabetes Federation (IDF)

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is a worldwide alliance of over 200 diabetes associations in more than 160 countries, who have come together to enhance the lives of people with diabetes everywhere. For over 50 years, IDF has been at the vanguard of global diabetes advocacy. The Federation is committed to raising global awareness of diabetes, promoting appropriate diabetes care and prevention, and encouraging activities towards finding a cure for the different types of diabetes. It is the mission of IDF to promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide.

The World Diabetes Day - November 14th was introduced in 1991 by IDF and WHO in response to the alarming rise in diabetes around the world. IFMSA SCOPH participates actively in the Campaign since November 2007.

More information about IDF and the World Diabetes Day: www.idf.org and www.worlddiabetesday.org

World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH)

The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) is an international organization founded in 1948 to advance the prevention of mental and emotional disorders, the proper treatment and care of those with such disorders, and the promotion of mental health. The Federation, through its members in more than 100 countries has responded to international mental health crises through its role as the only worldwide grassroots advocacy and public education organization in the field. Its organizational and individual membership includes mental health workers of all disciplines, consumers of mental health services, family members, and concerned citizens. The organization's broad and diverse membership makes possible collaboration among governments and non-governmental organizations to advance the cause of mental health services, research, and policy advocacy worldwide.

The World Mental Health Day, October 10th, is one of the major activities of the Federation. IFMSA participates in the campaign through the IFMSA SCOPH Mental Health Initiative Project.

More information about WFMH: www.wfmh.org

UK Public Health Association (UKPHA)

The UK Public Health Association (UKPHA) is an independent voluntary organization, formed by the coming together of three organizations in 1999 to unite the public health movement in the UK. As a multidisciplinary membership organization, the UKPHA brings together individuals and organizations from all sectors who share a common commitment to promoting the public's health.

UKPHA seeks to promote the development of healthy public policy at all levels of government and across all sectors. UKPHA acts as an information platform and aim to support those working in public health both professionally and in a voluntary capacity.

There are five UKPHA Special Interest Groups: Food and Nutrition, Health and Sustainable Environments, Pharmacy, Health Visiting and Public Health, Alcohol and Violence and Devolution Strategic Interest.

More information about UKPHA: www.ukpha.uk.org

International Union against Cancer (UICC)

The International Union against Cancer (UICC) is the leading international NGO dedicated exclusively to the global control of cancer.

UICC Vision is a dynamic global community of connected cancer control organizations, professionals and volunteers working together to eliminate cancer as a major life-threatening disease for future generations. UICC Mission is to connect, mobilize and support cancer organizations and individuals with knowledge and skills to be effective.

Being the oldest NGO dedicated to cancer, UICC has formed a series of platforms and initiatives for the fight of all aspects of cancer, such as Globalink, is one of the biggest international networks about Tobacco Control.

IFMSA is about to become a member of UICC, providing our members with a series of privileges, such as access to important electronic databases, publications and contacts.

More information about UICC and Globalink: www.uicc.org and www.globalink.org

World Heart Federation (WHF)

The World Heart Federation (WHF) was originally formed in 1978 (first name International Society and Federation of Cardiology - ISFC). WHF is now recognized by the WHO as its leading NGO partner in cardiovascular disease prevention and is a close partner of the WHO's department of Non-communicable Diseases.

Important Campaigns of the WHF are the World Heart Day, Sept. 27th, Children and youth projects for the promotion of healthy nutrition, physical exercise and the prevention of tobacco use, the Go Red for Women campaign and Demonstration projects.

More information about WHF: www.worldheartfederation.org

Concern Worldwide

Concern Worldwide is an international, humanitarian NGO dedicated to reducing suffering and eliminating extreme poverty in the world's poorest countries. Currently, Concern works in 28 countries and has a workforce of around 4,000 people. Its headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland, and the organization has other offices throughout the world.

Annually Concern offers a number of overseas internships to students pursuing a Masters Degree. The internships are field-driven and often used for research purposes.

More information about Concern: www.concernusa.org

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is Britain's national school of public health and a leading postgraduate institution worldwide for research and postgraduate education in global health. Part of the University of London, the London School is the largest institution of its kind in Europe with a remarkable depth and breadth of expertise encompassing many disciplines. It is one of the highest-rated research institutions in the UK.

LSHTM mission is to contribute to the improvement of health worldwide through the pursuit of excellence in research, postgraduate teaching and advanced training in national and international public health and tropical medicine, and through informing policy and practice in these areas.

More information about LSHTM: www.lshtm.ac.uk.

Framework Convention Alliance

The Framework Convention Alliance (FCA) was founded in 1999 and is now made up of more than 350 organizations from more than 100 countries working on the development, ratification, and implementation of the international treaty, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The FCTC is the world's first global public health treaty, and requires parties to adopt a comprehensive range of measures designed to reduce the devastating health and economic impacts of tobacco.

The FCA vision is a world free from the death and disease caused by tobacco. The FCA mission is to perform the watchdog function for the WHO FCTC; to develop tobacco control capacity - particularly in developing countries; to support the development, ratification, accession, implementation and monitoring of the FCTC; and to promote and support a network for global tobacco control campaigning.

IFMSA is an International Member of the FCA since 2002. Our Federation has participated lately in the NGO Consultation Meeting of the FCTC. The Tobacco Initiative Project Coordinator is also a key-person for the cooperation within the Alliance.

More information about FCA and FCTC: www.fctc.org

Save the Children

Save the Children is a leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world. Recognized for our commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration, our work takes us into the heart of communities, where we help children and families help themselves.

IFMSA members have been interested for internships with the Department of Health and Nutrition at Save the Children.

More information about Save the Children: www.savethechildren.org

Eurocare - European Alcohol Policy Alliance

Eurocare was formed in 1990, as an alliance of voluntary NGOs representing a diversity of views and cultural attitudes concerned with the impact of the European Union on Alcohol Policy in Member States. It now includes some 50 organizations across 20 countries in Europe, most of which are national or supranational umbrella organizations. Member organizations are involved in research and advocacy; education and training of voluntary and professional community care workers; the provision of counseling services and residential support for problem drinkers, of workplace and school based programs as well as the provision of information to the public.

Eurocare is a co-founder of the Alcohol Policy Youth Network (APYN) and a partner of IFMSA in the NGO Alliance for the Global Strategy against Alcohol. Eurocare is the only major European network that focuses exclusively on alcohol policy issues and a member of GAPA.

More information about Eurocare: www.eurocare.org

International Association of Health Policy (IAHP)

The International Association of Health Policy (IAHP) is a scientific, political and cultural organization founded in 1977. It is an international network of scholars, health workers and activists with the aim of promoting the scientific analysis of public health issues and a forum for international comparisons and debate on health policy issues. Basic principle adopted by IAHP members are the consideration of health as a social and political right. Main goal of the Association is the promotion of health, the struggle against health inequalities and the development of social solidarity.

The Association is interdisciplinary and gathers researchers from all public health disciplines. A major subject is the interrelationship between theory and practice in health policy. The main activity is regular conferences and seminars. These meetings cover a broad range of issues and they often gather both researchers and people involved in practical public health work and health policy. Major concern also is given for the dialogue between North and South, East and West. IAHP members in South America are active under the ALAMES and in Europe under IAHPE which both have their own bodies and activities.

The IFMSA Daisy Project - Margarita is a Transnational Project in cooperation with IAHP.

More information about IAHP: www.healthp.org