Global health continues to be a field of increasing interest among Australian medical students, with participation in both the global health groups (GHGs) and the global health conference (GHC) at all time highs. This momentum needs to be captured effectively, therefore I see the role of the Global Health Officer as one that empowers students both on the local and global stage, and facilitates the growth and strengthening of the GHN. I believe the GHN is instrumental in supporting the Global Health Groups (GHGs) and as GHO I would seek to work with the GHN chair to ensure that the GHGs are provided with the resources and training to maximise their effectiveness.

Increasing the impact that medical students can generate is dependent on creating a proficient and well informed medical student body. The training new trainers (TNT) program has provided a means for students to develop important skills and has been a great success since its inception. A central role of the GHO this coming year will be to work with the TNT subcommittee to further develop and define the aims of the program and broaden the scope of topics that are available to students. I believe my advocacy experience and work as World Vision UNSW President will be invaluable to reach these goals.

As medical students, I believe that we can be a powerful voice for advocating change in society and that AMSA, as a body, has the imperative to contribute to the discourse on issues in the global health arena. The increased emphasis on the millennium development goals (MDGs) in the past two GHCs has highlighted the overlap between the advocacy work of many NGOs and the medical issues that the global medical profession face. In light of this, as GHO I would initiate co-initiatives between AMSA and NGOs to generate greater awareness of global health issues not only in the university setting but also in the wider community.

I would also work to increase the prominence of global health in AMSA publications, especially in Panacea and on the AMSA website, where there is currently a lack of useability and content. I believe that effective use of the website can transform it into a medium for disseminating information and a portal to further opportunities for those who have a passion for global health.

The AsMSA and IFMSA provide great opportunities to share ideas, network, and learn from our colleagues overseas. As GHO I would like to open up opportunities for greater involvement in the IFMSA and AsMSA by leading increased delegation numbers to these conferences and fostering the ideas and networks that delegates bring back to implement locally. Next year promises to be a particularly important as the IFMSA Asia Pacific Regional Meeting in Thailand offers an amazing opportunity to take a large delegation and really become a real force in the IFMSA. Also on the international stage, there needs to be greater publicity and utilisation of the SCOPE and SCORE programs, both initiatives of the IFMSA. The clerkship program offered through SCOPE provides a readymade framework for bilateral exchanges and I intend to better promote and develop this system.

My personal experience has primarily been external to AMSA and has been centred around advocacy on a grass roots and state wide level. I believe this to be one of my strengths, as being involved in advocacy across all areas of need and inequality, not just health, has given me a solid grounding and provided perspective on where health provision fits into the bigger picture.