Cairo has witnessed the launch of the first edition of the “Health Diplomacy for Medical Students” program. It is the first of its kind in Egypt and Africa. The initiative was organized under the auspices of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations – Egypt (IFMSA-Egypt) and its branch at MTI University, with support from the Scientific Association of Medical Students at the Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI), and complimentary media sponsorship from the AfroMedia Initiative for Journalism and Media to raise awareness and promote the role and capabilities of doctors within their communities.
The Faculty of Medicine at MTI University hosted the program’s events, demonstrating strong support for empowering young doctors and medical students in Egypt, as well as Sudanese students. The event provided an inclusive and fair learning environment that combines academic knowledge with practical experience, especially for those who have fled the war in Sudan.
The program was designed to empower medical students in Egypt while offering equal and fair opportunities to non-Egyptian African students and doctors residing in Egypt. It aims to provide a deeper understanding of health issues in both African and global contexts, international relations, and health policy. It also equips participants with research skills necessary for effective participation in health policy decision-making at local and international levels.
A distinguished group of speakers and experts from various sectors participated in the program. Among them were:
• Mr. Mostafa Magdy, Assistant to the Minister of Youth and Sports
• Dr. Samah Kamel, Head of the Youth and Children Group at the United Nations
• Dr. Mahmoud El-Qally, certified trainer in sustainable development
• Dr. Ahmed El-Rifai, political science expert
• Dr. Dalia Ghazlan, public health awareness specialist
• Mr. Hamada Qaoud, sustainable development expert at the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development
• Ahmed Aboudouma, Head of the Legal Committee at the Arab Youth Platform for Sustainable Development
• Dr. Rumaila Shahir, Business Development and Sustainable Development Consultant and Head of the German Academy in Cairo
Anthropological researcher Hassan Ghazaly, founder of the Global Solidarity Network and member of the African Journalists Union, spoke about the importance of anthropology for doctors in understanding the communities that need health development projects. He also discussed the concepts of public diplomacy, its different forms, and the opportunities offered by the Egyptian state to African doctors, in addition to volunteering opportunities provided by the African Union in medical institutions across Africa.
Ghazaly extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to Professor Mohy El-Din Ragab El-Banna, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the Modern University, and Professor Hesham Mohamed Omran, Vice Dean for Student Affairs, in recognition of their cooperation and efforts in supporting the faculty’s students, particularly African students, and for their commitment to empowering and integrating them into academic and community activities within the university.
The sessions covered several key topics, including:
• Youth diplomacy
• Public diplomacy
• Volunteer youth policies in Africa
• International law and health
• Negotiation skills
• Personal branding for doctors
• Public health and sustainable development
• The role of youth in shaping health policies
This program marks an important shift in connecting academic medical education with social responsibility and health diplomacy. It aims to prepare a new generation of doctors who are able to influence and contribute to shaping the future of health policy in Egypt and the region.
The program is a first step in a series of initiatives designed to build the capacity of medical students and open new horizons for understanding the broader role of the doctor in society. This includes not only providing healthcare but also leading, negotiating, and making decisions in public health matters. The organizers affirmed their commitment to continuing and expanding these efforts in future editions to enhance Egypt’s role in health diplomacy and sustainable development.
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