Advocacy
The GHN has a working party dedicated to forming position statements on global health issues. The GHN is a committee of the Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) and a position statement must be ratified by AMSA Council in order to become official policy. And policy is the foundation of action – in the medical student community and beyond!
Millenium Development Goals
Policy
In 2009 the GHN was successful in passing policy officially supporting the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). AMSA President Tiffany Fulde commented, “the policy speaks of the greater need for teaching of the MDGs and global health in Australian medical schools’ curriculum, as well as support for the MDGs themselves and a national yearly commitment of 0.7% GNI (Gross National Income) from Australia for international aid.” Adopted by the UN in 2000, the MDGs provide a framework covering the key aims in achieving the global eradication of extreme poverty. At this time, all UN members, including Australia, agreed that 0.7% of GNI needed to be provided for international aid initiatives for this to be achievable. Currently, Australia is only contributing an estimated 0.34%.
National Flashmob
On Satuday the 10th of October medical students around the nation came together to show unity with The Oaktree Foundation and Vision Generation in their support for the MDGs and the raising of Australia’s international aid contribution to 0.7% of GNI. Flashmobs were held across the nation in locations including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Gold Coast and Perth to bring attention to these issues, following policy released by AMSA earlier this year.
The MDG flashmob also represented the nationalisation of the Kevinpoint7 Campaign, initiated by medical students at the University of Sydney to urge Pimeminister Rudd to fulfill Australia’s unmet commitment to international aid.
