UAEM Europe e.V.

Dear Esteemed Donors,

Over the past year, UAEM Europe has witnessed a remarkable surge in the involvement of passionate young advocates dedicated to championing access to equitable medicines. This report contains an overview of the key activities we have been working on associated with this project, focused on empowering students to hold their universities' accountable, and ensure results from publicly-funded research is accessible to all people. 

In April 2023, our organszation hosted the illustrious international conference, "Together for Global Health Justice." Gathering over 70 students from nine European and North American countries, including representatives from emerging voices in Lithuania, Italy, and Cyprus, the event was a resounding success. The conference featured a rich agenda comprising diverse workshops. From technical sessions on access to medicines, equipping participants with essential knowledge and skills, to dynamic workshops focusing on campus organizing, debating, and strategic campaigning, we empowered attendees to drive tangible change. Moreover, specialized UAEM workshops explored cutting-edge research projects and campaigns centered on advancing our Equitable Technology Access Framework (ETAF) across universities in the region. A highlight of the conference was the thought-provoking keynote panel, "Decolonising Global Health and the Fight for Equitable Access to Medicines." This pivotal discussion underscored the imperative of challenging postcolonial structures perpetuating health disparities and emphasized the pivotal link between global justice and health equity.
Towards the end of 2023, UAEM has redoubled efforts to support its members. Initiatives such as the inaugural Access to Medicines Fellowship program launched in October have expanded our reach. This five-week engagement opportunity provided students with a comprehensive immersion into the field of access to medicines. Subsequently, our Training Weekend in November convened 15 students from seven countries, providing them with essential skills and insights to navigate the complexities of advocacy work. Topics ranged from foundational understanding of access to medicines to personal and leadership development sessions, negotiation skills, and effective campaigning strategies. For many participants, this event marked the genesis of their journey as health advocates, igniting their passion and forging invaluable connections.

Concurrently, as we fortified the skillsets of our burgeoning advocates, UAEM members remained actively engaged in raising awareness and advocating for equitable access through various initiatives. Collaborative efforts included constructive dialogues with the European Patent Office (EPO) to promote more rigorous patentability standards. Furthermore, UAEM played a pivotal role in the WHO World Local Production Forum, spotlighting the instrumental role of students in advocating for expanded access through local production. Our engagements extended to high-profile events like the World Health Summit and the 'Force of the Future: Co-creating Youth Action on Immunization,' hosted by WHO/Europe Youth4Health.

Finally, UAEM Europe is proud to announced that we have relaunched our research pillar of the organisation. At the start of 2024, UAEM Europe launched our region-wide research endeavour, the European Report Cards 2024. Based on our previous country-level report cards, this ambitious project seeks to evaluate the accessibility, innovation, and transparency of key research universities across Europe, amplifying our commitment to evidence-based advocacy.

Your generous support has been instrumental in sustaining our mission. Contributions have been directed towards critical expenses associated with the European Conference and other essential activities that are challenging to cover through traditional grants or forms of support. These funds are indispensable for ensuring that UAEM Europe has the necessary administrative capacity to efficiently manage reimbursements and uphold operational excellence.

Thanks to your donation, we are witnessing a new cohort of passionate young individuals engaging with the political dimensions of healthcare and actively working towards a more just and equitable world. In these turbulent times, we firmly believe that fostering this engagement is pivotal in addressing the complex and interconnected challenges we face.

We cannot express enough gratitude for your invaluable contribution to our cause.

Warm regards, 
UAEM Europe