[EA][DL 15/12][Youth PreWHA/WHA] Call for participants to the 14th Youth PreWHA & 79th World Health Assembly
IFMSA LWHO | Sie Meng Lee
Summary:
Background: Call for participants to the 14th Youth PreWHA & IFMSA delegates to the 79th World Health Assembly
When: The workshop will take place with a combination of virtual and in-person events that will take on the following dates:
Road to the Youth PreWHA (Online): 28th of March, 11th of April, 18th of April
Youth PreWHA (Hybrid):
Global Health Education Track: 2nd, 3rd and 12th-15th of May 2026
Global Health Advocacy Track: 16th of May 2026
World Health Assembly: 18th of May - 23rd of May 2026
Reflection Day: 6th of June, 2026
Where: Hybrid, Virtual and in Geneva (optional)
What you have to do:
Read this email and the attached documents carefully and in detail.
Fill in the candidature form (CF):
Youth PreWHA Global Health Education Track: link
Youth PreWHA Global Health Advocacy Track: link.
Note that if you are not part of IFMSA, but another Student or Youth Organization, your Candidature Form (CF) needs to be signed by your Global Youth/Student Organization President or a suitable alternative board member.
Fill in the application form and upload your filled CF here: Link
Deadline: 15th of December 2025, 23:59 GMT
Open Space Discussion: 7th of December 2025, 13:30 GMT
Relevant Links:
FAQs - please note these will be updated regularly so please check here first to see if your questions has been answered
Youth PreWHA Website - in the process of being updated with the correct dates/information
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear IFMSA members from all over the world,
We are thrilled to announce the opening of the call for applications for participants to the 14th Youth Pre-World Health Assembly (Youth PreWHA) and the IFMSA delegation to the 79th World Health Assembly. This prestigious event aims to bring together passionate and dynamic young individuals from around the globe who are dedicated to advancing global health.
The Youth PreWHA offers a unique platform for young people to engage in meaningful discussions, exchange ideas, and contribute their perspectives to help build a healthier world. As we gear up for the 14th edition, we invite enthusiastic and motivated young leaders and advocates to join us in shaping the future of global health. This is a golden opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, learn from renowned experts about global health governance and diplomacy, and make a real impact on the local, national, and international levels.
Background:
The 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) will be held from the 18th - 23rd of May 2026, in Geneva, Switzerland. Attended by delegations from almost 200 Member States as well as recognised international NGOs and other Non-State Actors, the WHA is the annual gathering of the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization. For the past 14 years IFMSA has been organizing a Youth PreWHA on the days prior to the WHA.
The Youth PreWHA aims to empower and strengthen the advocacy skills and leadership of future health professionals, as well as to increase the participants’ knowledge about global health themes that are central to the work of the World Health Organization and proceedings of the 79th World Health Assembly.
The 14th edition will feature a 4 to 5-day workshop, depending on the chosen track, held in Geneva, Switzerland, and conducted in a hybrid format in May. This innovative approach will integrate both in-person and virtual elements, allowing participants to engage in a dynamic learning experience.
The 14th Youth PreWHA program will consist of two educational tracks that enable its participants to acquire knowledge and skills on particular topics within global health and cater to different audiences. It will be delivered on the following dates:
These tracks will be preceded by several sessions on the Road to Youth PreWHA, for which the preliminary dates are on the 28th of March, 11th of April and 18th of April.
The Youth PreWHA is open to members of IFMSA National Member Organisations as well as other young people from various disciplines, creating an interprofessional working environment.
How to apply?
Step 1: Prepare your Candidature Form:
Notes: The CF should be signed and stamped by your NMO President. If the candidate is the NMO President, the confirmation must be signed by a suitable alternative NMO board member. Your Candidature Form (CF) should be ready before filling out the Application Form above as you will be asked to upload it in the Application Form. A correctly filled CF is mandatory for your application to be considered valid.
Step 2: Fill out the following Application Form: Link
The deadline for applications is the 15th of December 2025, 23:59 GMT. Please note that the scoring and evaluation processes might be time-consuming. Accepted applicants will be notified by February/March 2026 at the latest. Moreover, you may wish to refer to the IFMSA ‘How to Write an Application Manual’ (Link) to help you in this process! Incomplete or late applications will not be taken into consideration.
Information Session:
An information session will be organized on Sunday 7th of December, 2025 at 13:30 GMT with the Head of the Delegation (IFMSA LWHO), OC and past delegates to share with you their experience as well as learn more about the event.
The Zoom link will be shared soon and the session will be recorded and shared afterward for viewing.
Evaluation Criteria:
The applicants will be evaluated based on the following selection criteria:
To apply, you have to be a healthcare student during the event or have been a student within 6 months before the start of the event.
The motivation for attending the Youth PreWHA/WHA and how you will use this experience in the future.
A keen interest in global health issues. (Please note that international experience is not required, and as we are aiming for a balanced experience profile, applicants with local/national experience are welcome to apply as well.)
Understanding of IFMSA advocacy work, including the role of young people in global health arenas and demonstrated applied knowledge.
The following criteria are mandatory for applicants to the Global Health Advocacy Track:
Be a Member of a Full member or Associate Member NMO
The delegation to the 79th WHA will include 30 members, comprising the Organizing Committee and a select group of IFMSA Officials (VPE & LOs).
Please note that the evaluation of the received applications will be performed objectively with consideration of the criteria mentioned above. Each application will be marked twice anonymously to ensure an unbiased approach. Moreover, strict gender balance and regional representation quotas will be applied in the selection process.
Registration fee:
The registration fee of Youth PreWHA 2026 is expected to be no higher than 600 euros in total for in-person participants to the Global Health Education Track, and no higher than 900 Euros for delegates enrolled in the Global Health Advocacy Track.
This fee will cover:
All Youth PreWHA sessions including the venue;
Food during the in-person part of the Youth PreWHA 2026;
Accommodation in Geneva depending on the track enrolled
Global Health Education: Arrival day on the 11th of May and departure day on 16th of May (5 nights)
Global Health Advocacy: Arrival day on the 11th of May and departure day on 24th of May (13 nights)
All online platforms used for the duration of the event.
Full payment would be expected in February/March; more information on payment and registration will be shared with accepted applicants. If you are successful in your application, you will be informed regarding the final cost as soon as possible.
Important Note: Please note that we currently cannot guarantee entry badges for the Palais des Nations, where WHA committees and official sessions take place. However, during the WHA period, Geneva becomes a major hub for global health activities, with many important side events, meetings, and networking opportunities taking place across the city. These engagements are highly valuable and strongly support the delegation’s objectives.
We will make efforts over the next few months to secure as many badges as possible, or other means of entry—such as official tours during the WHA. In addition, we will do our best to support selected delegates in seeking badges through their respective country delegations or other available avenues.
Financial Support Virtual Setting
To make this event merrier and to reduce barriers including lack of dependable internet connection, the Organizing Committee may be able to offer limited Financial Support to applicants who are unable to pay the fee or who need a small stipend to improve internet connection. Access to sufficient technology, including a device, is required to apply to this event. Please note that this stipend will not include the provision of any technology, but rather focus on support with the connection. Once selected, delegates will be asked to fill out a form to request this Financial Support, and it will only be granted when deemed necessary and possible by the Organizing Committee.
Financial Support In-Person Setting
The Changemakers Scholarship will make it possible for delegates from LMICs to receive partial and full financial support for their travel expenses. To apply for this opportunity, please indicate that you are interested in the application form and fill out the required additional information.
What is expected from Youth PreWHA participants and delegate?
It is expected that delegates will be able to attend the entire duration of your selected track including the Road to Youth PreWHA held on 28th of March, 11th of April and 18th of April and post-WHA follow-up session, on 6th of June 2026.
To fully commit to the Youth Pre-WHA preparations, engage within assigned learning assessments and sustain involvement during follow-up. This will include readings, online meetings and preparatory projects. Suggested reading materials are as follows:
All participants are expected to commit some time in the lead up to the Youth PreWHA/WHA between February and May, commit to completing pre-event reading and completion of asynchronous modules.
Delegates to the GHA Track are expected to contribute to the implementation of the advocacy strategy that will be developed during the Youth PreWHA, and engage actively within the assigned Advocacy working groups. This may involve a time commitment of 4 hours per week on average in the lead up to May.
Should you have any questions, or need extra information about the application process and the event, please do not hesitate to check the frequently asked questions here, contact the 14th Youth PreWHA Chairperson at chair.yo...@ifmsa.org or check our website at https://ifmsa.org/youthprewha/ (which will be updated shortly) Here you will find this information and a whole lot more about the Youth PreWHA and World Health Assembly.
Don't miss your chance to be part of this transformative experience. Apply now and be a driving force in the journey towards a healthier and more equitable world. Together, let's inspire change and create a lasting impact on the health landscape. We are looking forward to read your applications!
On behalf of the WHOle Youth PreWHA 2026 Organizing Committee,
Abenezer, Ahmed, Lieke, Mariem, Melike, Reem & Sie Meng
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ifmsa-general" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to ifmsa-genera...@ifmsa.org.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/ifmsa.org/d/msgid/ifmsa-general/CAL-Tx%3DA_zE8%3DaSqw9d4WagsYLMy2SV7KvFP%2B%2BkYmxBvdGY8psQ%40mail.gmail.com.
IFMSA LWHO | Sie Meng Lee
Sie Meng Lee, Liaison Officer to the World Health Organization
Tel: +31 6 31762321 | lw...@ifmsa.org
IFMSA International Secretariat
Meibergdreef 15, J0-208 1105 AZ
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
“Every byte counts in reducing our environmental footprint.”
Your privacy matters—update your preferences or unsubscribe at any time. This email is confidential and intended solely for the recipient(s). Sharing it without IFMSA's consent is prohibited. If received in error, please notify the sender and delete it immediately.
Please consider the environment and confidentiality before printing or forwarding this email.