What impact does STIGMA have on Health?
Apply to be an Australian Delegate to the Asian Medical Students’ Conference 2009 and find out for yourself.

30th AMSC in Taipei, Taiwan
July 25 – August 1, 2009

Stigmatised Illness ─To understand, to accept, and to change.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ASIAN AND AUSTRALASIAN MEDICAL STUDENTS

The Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) and the Asian Medical Students’ Association (AsMSA) invites all Australian medical students to apply to attend the: 30th Asian Medical Students’ Conference (AMSC) in Taipei, Taiwan.

Theme: “Stigmatised Illness: To understand, to accept, and to change”.
AMSC Dates: 25th July to 1st August 2009
Hosted by: Asian Medical Students’ Association-Taiwan
Main Venue: Taipei World Trade Center
Participants: 500 medical students from 20 countries/regions

AMSA hopes to send a delegation that represents its cultural diversity and make the event even more culturally rewarding – thus all medical students from all backgrounds should apply! Up to 20 general delegates and 3 chief delegate positions are available!

AsMSA has two major annual events: The AMSC which is usually held in July and attracts over 500 delegates from 15 Oceania-Asia countries; and the EAMSC which is usually in January and has 200 delegates from 7 member countries.

Issues on stigmatized illness have long been an unresolved problem within our society. Patients of stigmatised illness have suffered much discrimination and unfair stereotypes from the public. As such, the conference aims to address and discuss the impact that stigmatisation has on health via key note speakers, presentations and workshops. By understanding the origin of stigma, accepting the diversity of patients, and changing the wrong social opinions, you will be empowered to start making some positive changes.

There is also an extensive social program, that doesn’t revolve around the conference title involving: Dinners, city tours, Tarako National Park, cultural workshops and a final cultural extravaganza.

The AMSC provides an opportunity for member countries from the Australasian region to meet at an international forum, present ideas and academic works and make friends for life. Each attending country will present an oral presentation and two poster presentations that will be on display. Delegates will take part in group discussions, highlight key discussion points relevant to home [Australia] and the theme, and facilitate cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.

Funding for the conference:

All delegates are required to seek and apply for sponsorship funds from any source possible. All funds will be collected and shared among delegates equally. To date, the delegates have had little to no out of pocket expenses. However this is dependant on each delegate actively seeking and sourcing funds.

What will being a delegate to AMSC Taipei involve?

i. Being part of the sponsorship team and securing sponsorship
ii. Helping out with our paper and poster presentations
iii. Contributing to a cultural performance
iv. Doing some research to actively contribute to conference academic programs
v. Post conference events here at home that distributes what we learn to Australian medical students
vi. Contributing to a post conference project and detailed report of learning outcomes

How to Apply:

Applications are open to all medical students at any stage of their medical program. The following qualities are
desirable but do not preclude those with little or no experience:

. Demonstrated interest in the conference theme.
. Previous experience in fund raising and representational experience / local MedSoc experience.
. Willingness to raise awareness amongst your local community.
. Ability to work efficiently in groups.
. Interest in foreign cultures and customs.

The Taipei organisers promise that this will be a spectacular event!
Get a one-page word application together that illustrates your qualities and why you should be going to Taipei
and attach a copy of your curriculum vitae (Max 2 pages). Send all this to:

Josué Alexis, Australian Regional
Coordinator.
eMail: jalexis
Mobile: 0411 778 530

APPLICATIONS CLOSING DATE
General Delegate position (first conference) 6th March 2009
Chief Delegate position (been before) 27th February

Aussie crew @ the EAMSC in Malaysia January 09