The IFMSA Arm

IFMSA stands for the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations. It is an international platform that gathers all medical students of the world.

The IFMSA Arm, is the Arm of EMSA that is in charge of forming the structure, the committees and the membership procedures of EMSA into IFMSA. EMSA is not currently a member in IFMSA, and, although the application for IFMSA membership is a step EMSA will take sooner or later, yet, we don’t put this as a priority.

From our own experiences, being involved in IFMSA without having the suitable culture, values and systemized members that would be able to get the best of their IFMSA involvement; this tends to result into eagerness for trivial issues that tend to take people away from the real goals of this involvement. We are making all the needed efforts to prevent history from repeating itself. We definitely will not allow IFMSA to bring the worst in our members, because we know that, as soon as members begin talking about “exchange”, “IFMSA General Assemblies”, “Vote” and “IFMSA official positions”, they immediately begin to forget the real value of their work.

So, to cut it short, EMSA will not consider applying for IFMSA membership until it is apparent that our members are “ready” for it. We are not about to see our efforts into shaping the working environment of this place collapse in front of our eyes just for the sake of entering IFMSA. Yet, representing Egypt in IFMSA is one of our official fields of work adopted and approved by the Egyptian government, and therefore, a right we are not about to give up.

EMSA's past involvement in IFMSA

Before it’s recognition as an official NGO, EMSA has been involved in IFMSA since 1972. During more than 30 years, it has enabled more than 9500 Egyptian medical student to go outside on exchange and to receive a similar number of international medical students and train them in Egypt. EMSA has also hosted several IFMSA General Assemblies and participated in different IFMSA projects and initiatives. In August 2007, the board of EMSA back then decided to change the name of EMSA in front of IFMSA. This decision was not taken by the EMSA member committees in a general assembly, which resulted into many difficult times and complications we are suffering from till now. This separation-point resulted into a grand conflicts between an organization that’s only goal is to remain in IFMSA, and another who wanted to truly achieve the vision and goals EMSA was created for, 30 years ago. This name of “EMSA” that was thrown away by others in a moment without a single reflection, is not something we are willing to give up.

The EMSA NGO Founders have been involved in EMSA, shaping its future, working in its activities and shared in its glory for more than 5 years and we are not about to leave this work wasted. It may not be of value to most people, but we know what it means to us. So now, we say it loud and clear, EMSA is NOT a member in IFMSA. EMSA is alive, EMSA is moving forward, EMSA is being recreated, we’re proud of our little baby and there is nothing that can take from us the joy of seeing it grow day after day. There is no rush, everything will come when it’s the right time.

Gearing things up: The EMSA / IFMSA-Egypt Merger Task Force

Now, we are working on a complete and coherent merger between EMSA and the IFMSA activities in Egypt carried out for the past two years by the body called IFMSA-Egypt. This merger would allow a legal, effective and more productive representation of Egyptian medical students internationally, and of IFMSA in Egypt.

To start dialogue, EMSA has hosted a general orientation session themed around the EMSA / IFMSA-Egypt merger. You can view videos from this session held in September in Cairo by visiting the EMSA YouTube Channel.

To read and comment about current discussions related to the EMSA / IFMSA-Egypt merger. Visit the Merger blog by clicking here.