Our bid to host the IFMSA in Jamaica came up against other strong bids from larger more developed candidate countries, namely: Canada, Taiwan, Macedonia and Bulgaria. We competed well together and there was no animosity between our nations. Our victory was convincing and was achieved in the global spirit of fair-play.

Over the many years since JAMSA’s first meeting with the IFMSA in Portugal in 2000, we have had to overcome several obstacles to develop our association through the empowerment of students, though the changing of the existing culture was not universally popular. We sought at the same time to foster extracurricular development for our students, in order to gain maturation of the now strong structure of our association.

To have medical students realize their full potential, through their own initiatives was a new culture. To think beyond the limitations of didactic lectures at university, to see medicine beyond the shores of Jamaica and the Caribbean was a brand new concept for undergraduates. This was the way in which our first delegation saw other medical students’ associations around the world operating and we wanted this for our own. The opportunities that IFMSA created for its members, we wanted to have available to our members. The extracurricular training that other countries wanted and created for themselves, we realized that we must develop a similar culture in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, in order to remain at the forefront of medical education. We are happy to say that we are achieving these objectives, because of the inspirations given by IFMSA.

Through all the years, at no time has the support of our Faculty of Medical Sciences or the University of the West Indies ever wavered and our achievements have made them very proud. For those who are now seeing and hearing of our achievements for the first time, they are amazed and awed at our success and professionalism, as we have totally exceeded their expectations.

The IFMSA, indeed the world, is coming to Jamaica. We look forward to welcoming the hundreds of you to the beautiful Caribbean and to share the warmth of our Jamaican hospitality as we expand and share our knowledge through training workshops and lectures amongst ourselves.

Many doubters thought that these dreams were too lofty and this, which is now happening, would never happen. To them we say:

“For those who say it can’t be done, stop interrupting those who are doing it!”

One Dream, One Team…One Love!

Sincerely,

on behalf of the JAMSA Organizing Committee