Why Peace Belongs in Medical Education: Reflections from the 75th IFMSA General Assembly

by Anna Khouri, IPPNW International Student Representative, Germany

Last week, I had the privilege of representing International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) at the 75th General Assembly of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations in Copenhagen. Bringing together nearly 900 medical students from more than 120 countries, the gathering was a powerful reminder that the future of medicine is profoundly global and deeply interconnected with the political and social conditions that shape health.

For one week, Copenhagen became a meeting place for students who are not only learning how to diagnose and treat disease, but who are also asking larger questions: What responsibilities do physicians have beyond the clinic? And how can medical professionals contribute to a more peaceful world?

As IPPNW’s International Student Representative, I facilitated a session on Medical Peace Work, exploring the idea that peace is not only a political aspiration but a fundamental public health requirement. Conflict and violence remain among the most significant threats to global health today. Armed conflicts displace millions, overwhelm fragile health systems, and leave long-lasting physical and psychological scars. In a world where the risk of nuclear escalation has again entered international debate, the role of the medical community in advocating for prevention has never been more relevant.

The session sparked thoughtful discussions among students from a wide range of countries and experiences. Many reflected on how rarely these topics appear in formal medical curricula. Yet the medical profession has historically played an important role in highlighting the health consequences of war from documenting the effects of nuclear weapons to advocating for humanitarian law. As future physicians, we inherit this responsibility.

Another highlight of the week was representing IPPNW at the Student Activity Fair together with Pauline Gatmaytan, a student volunteer from the IPPNW Geneva Liaison Office. These informal conversations were among the most inspiring moments of the assembly. Students stopped by to learn about IPPNW’s work, to share their own initiatives, and to discuss how health advocacy can extend beyond hospitals and clinics.

The assembly itself carried special significance this year, marking IFMSA’s 75th anniversary. At the Gala Dinner, alumni and current members celebrated decades of student-led global health advocacy. The evening served as a reminder that many ideas shaping international health discussions today, from reproductive health rights to climate and health, first gained momentum through student initiatives.

The week concluded with inspiring closing remarks from Hans Henri P. Kluge, Regional Director for Europe at the World Health Organization, who emphasized the importance of solidarity and cooperation in protecting health systems in an increasingly uncertain world.

What stayed with me most after this week in Copenhagen was the energy of the students I met. Despite coming from different health systems, cultures, and political contexts, there was a shared understanding that the challenges facing global health cannot be addressed in isolation. Medicine, peace, and justice are deeply intertwined.

I left the assembly with new connections, meaningful conversations, and a renewed sense of purpose. If the discussions in Copenhagen are any indication, the next generation of physicians is ready not only to care for patients but also to stand up for the conditions that make health possible in the first place.