By Anna Peiris | Executive Director
Over the past few months, we have made significant progress in advancing regional and local advocacy activities. Through the dedicated efforts of our members, we have expanded our focus on advocacy pathways at universities, strengthened connections between members across regions, and upskilled the next generation of student access leaders.
European Leadership Meeting (ELM)
This summer, we hosted our European Leadership Meeting (ELM) in Amsterdam, marking a fresh change in location. The ELM brought together UAEM leaders from across Europe to reflect on the progress made since regrouping after the pandemic, assess our current advocacy efforts, and scoping emerging areas in tech transfer and academic research to incorporate into our work.
Key outcomes included:
These strategic discussions have laid the groundwork for an exciting academic year ahead as we begin to see our efforts come to fruition.
Global Access to Medicines Week
In mid-November, we hosted our annual Global Access to Medicines Week, a cornerstone event that mobilised action and raised awareness on holding universities accountable for their promises to ensure affordable access to publicly funded health technologies.
The week featured a range of impactful activities, including protests, awareness campaigns, and a global call to action, uniting members and supporters from around the world. We had a special message from our founder, Amy, highlighting the spirit of our movement and the importance of our mission.
Leadership Training Camp
At the heart of our work are the students who drive our advocacy efforts. We were thrilled to host our Training Camp for the third time since the pandemic, welcoming new advocates from Germany, Denmark, the UK, Norway, and the Netherlands.
The camp introduced attendees to core concepts such as access to medicines, technology transfers, and strategies for creating change. Alongside these, participants honed essential skills in negotiation, communication, and campaign planning, equipping them to lead effectively in their advocacy efforts at the local and international level.
Here’s what one attendee shared:
The UAEM training weekend was an incredible experience that exceeded my expectations. I not only learned a lot about access to medicines and the impactful work UAEM does, but I also left feeling deeply inspired and motivated to join their efforts. The sessions were thoughtfully facilitated, creating an open and safe space for everyone—a crucial element for fostering meaningful discussions, especially when engaging with diverse stakeholders. One of the highlights for me was the practical training on communication models and negotiation skills, which provided hands-on learning that I can directly apply in advocacy work and beyond.
Looking Ahead:
As we move forward, we are energised by the growing momentum of our initiatives and the dedication of our members. Your continued support is pivotal to achieving our vision of a fair and equitable biomedical R&D system that benefits all.
Thank you for standing with us in this important work. Together, we are shaping a future where innovation truly serves the global public good.
By Merith Basey | Executive Director, North America
By Merith Basey | Executive Director
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