ICMDA

The ICMDA XIII World 'Health and Hope'Congress was an incredible time encompassing a number of gatherings of God's people which culminated in being together at the Convention Centre in Sydney, Australia. Regional Secretaries met each other for the first time to talk about their expectations for the Regions. The ICMDA Executive Committee convened and the General Committee met, as it does every four years, to receive reports from the member organisations.

The Student and Junior Doctors' Conference

Tash Yates and Maleika Selwyn introduced a most valuable dimension by inviting mentors to attend, these being involved in all the proceedings and especially in the smaller groups and informal 'after session' chats. There were many appreciative comments about what the mentors came to mean in transforming lives. The meeting of over 100 junior doctors established the need for support for this emerging group of future Christian leaders within the medical and dental profession globally. This was truly a forward-looking conference.

Regional Secretaries

By implementing the ICMDA strategy of establishing Regional structures and appointing Regional Secretaries/Regional Student Secretaries (Area Student Representatives), phenomenal development has taken place. Prior to meeting in Sydney eight regions were in place – East,West, Southern Africa; Central, North, South America; Eurasia and South Asia. In each of these regions reports were received of regional conferences having an emphasis on the integration of the students and junior doctors. With the introduction of the ICMDA Governance structures and the allocation of regional grants, growth is anticipated as each region looks to facilitate neighboring countries to establish National Fellowships. Of encouragement were the steps taken in North East Asia, South East Asia and Oceania to launch the setting up of the final three regions. This process is now well on its way with Regional Coordinators being identified and the first regional meetings having taken place during the Congress.

Executive and General Meetings

During these meetings the reviewed 1994 Constitution of the ICMDA was discussed and final amendments endorsed. This constitution will serve as a facilitation of the vision and mission of ICMDA as it seeks to 'share God's grace at the growing edges of Christian medicine'. In order to be able to do this the ICMDA Development Support Fund was launched. The decision was taken to appoint a Student General Secretary to coordinate the work with students and junior doctors. This step of faith is bold but essential towards ensuring that the God given opportunities are taken to be where God purposes the Association to be. Should you prayerfully wish to share in this development, please visit the ICMDA website www.icmda.net (linked to givengain.com).

I commend to you the prayers of praise and thanks to God's rich blessings on all that took place in Australia.

ICMDA Eurasia

ICMDA's World Congress in Sydney has been a summer highlight for many, as reported by Daryl Hackland. During the congress ICMDA's executive and general committees met. Peter Saunders and Kevin Vaughan represent CMF on these committees and James T who has been closely involved for some time, was appointed to the new committee as young graduates' representative. These committees formally endorsed the recommendations for restructuring in Eurasia which were made during the regional consultation in March. These included a new committee, the appointment of a part-time paid Associate Regional Secretary and the endorsement of the Area Student Representative and Coordinator roles. There was also increased commitment to development of work in the Middle East, Turkey and North Africa region which for the moment comes under the umbrella of Eurasia. All of this lays foundations for exciting growth in the region and also carries with it considerable financial implications.

The New Committee is as follows:

Chairman: Kevin Vaughan (UK)

Secretary: James T (UK)

Treasurer: Martin Bac (Netherlands)

Members: Dasha Boguslavskaya (Russia), Heike Gerhardt (Germany), Jan Grzeszkowiak (Poland), Gabor Gyori (Hungary), Kristian Kristensen (Denmark), Pablo Martinez (Spain), Jovita Petrulyte (Lithuania), Hans-Ruedi Pfeifer (Switzerland), An ASR Representative (varying)

Staff Appointments

Regional Secretary: Peter Pattisson

Associate Regional Secretary: James T

Co-ordinator: Jonny Thiessen

Area Student Representatives: Artsiom Adamenka, Euan Dodds, Christopher Gerken, Laura Sihombing, Kolya Vasiliev. There are also representatives in Middle East, Turkey and Central America. Appointment of ASRs for the Balkan region and for Central Asia are pending.

This provides us with a fine younger team to carry forward the work and we commend them to your prayers. It also brings some significant financial challenges at a time when CMF members are already being asked to stretch their generosity.We are seeking to widen the donor base in Western Europe and some of you will be receiving detailed information on ICMDA's financial needs and projects in Eurasia. If you are interested in financial partnership with us and don't receive this information within the next few weeks, please write to me at icmda@ukonline.co.uk.