From Global Negotiations to Local Touring!

It's been a rough but exhilarating ride in Medsin the past month or so. Wrapping up the term after an amazing array of events, activities and developments in the Medsin network would leave most in need of a good break, but instead off I went for the UN Climate Change negotiations in Copenhagen (COP15) for 10 days. Crazy!

COP15

More about the conference and our work there is available at http://medsincop.wordpress.com/. Briefly, the week was a steep learning curve in understanding how decisions are made in global politics, working with inspiring youth activists from around the world, and taking our campaign efforts to a new level as we sought to represent the health caucus at the conference. Sadly, we weren't to see a new treaty emerging from the negotiations; government leaders instead voted with their wallets and struggled to reconcile their economic ambitions, as opposed to their desire for a safe environment. We left the conference downhearted at first, but with time this has only driven us in our desire for a strong, grassroots movement calling for the change the world needs to see for a fair and just global society.

Campaigning in Copenhagen. Left: Climate Change & Health action stunt with WHO Public Health and Environment Director Dr Maria Neira. Right: Guppi and Jonny endorse the Lancet's diagnosis of climate change as the "greatest global health threat of the 21st century".

Holidays :)

After the whirlwind of Copenhagen a break was well-needed! Spent a great week or so at home, celebrating the new year with friends and recharging the batteries for all that 2010 is going to provide. After stocking up on food, drink and all the mince pies I could manage, it was off to London to prepare for our exciting start to 2010: the Medsin Branch Tour!

The Medsin Branch Tour 2010 Website! www.medsin2010tour.wordpress.com.

Going Local!

As our ambitions for making Medsin a strong force to be reckoned with grow, my hope is throughout the next coming 2 months to engage with as many Branches and members of Medsin to discover what Medsin means to them, what glue holds our network of projects and campaigners together, and how we can strengthen and unite the structures and people in our network to become a true force for change. We'll be blogging (yes, more blogging!) at http://medsin2010tour.wordpress.com/ as we go, so check it out and hope to see you at one of the next events!