ICMDA Eurasia – 2007 review

A second year student from Vienna attended the first training conference for medical student leaders in Central Europe in September. He knew of only four other Christian students in his medical school of 4,000. He was fired with enthusiasm to reach out to his medical school and the latest news is that there are now 11 students meeting together and starting to witness to their fellow students. This is one small microcosm of things happening explosively all over the region.

Growth has been exponential in the last five years. In 2003 we had a part time unpaid regional secretary, no supporting committee, and a budget of less than £5,000. In 2007, besides the honorary regional secretary, we have had two part time paid staff (Jonny Thiessen, co-ordinator and James Tomlinson, associate regional secretary), eight unpaid junior doctors acting as Area Student Representatives, a vibrant international committee, and a turnover in excess of £30,000.

Eurasia is ICMDA's largest region, spanning three continents and 70 countries. Even with this expansion it has been hard to keep pace with developments like the cameo from Vienna. Growth has been most striking among students and juniors.

Highlights of the year have been the Committee and training programme for ASRs in Marburg, Germany in March. Here a number of West European countries caught the vision of supporting financially. This was focused on bursary support for the highly significant Russian speaking conference in Samara in July with 120 young leaders from all over the Russian speaking world. A DVD report is available (apply to the Trust address shown).

The Central European student leaders' training was another first, and James travelled extensively to nurture young groups and leaders in areas as diverse as Scandinavia and Central Asia, Romania and Belarus. In September we said goodbye to Jonny Thiessen, and alternative administrative support for James is a work in progress.

At year end it was a cause for wonder and praise that the regional expenditure, which more than doubled the previous year's costs, had been met. This was in part due to several large gifts (including some from churches) which may not be repeated.

September Conference

ICMDA Eurasia's major focus for 2008 is the four-yearly conference to be held at Schladming, Austria from 7-14 September. Details are available on www.icmda.net and booking forms should accompany this mailing.

In 2000 the conference attracted 220 (50 of them students). In 2004 attendance was 600 (half being students and juniors). This year we plan for 1,000, a major logistic task for the small Austrian committee, James Tomlinson, and his team. For the first time we expect to run a programme for other health disciplines. A substantial UK contingent would be a blessing.

CMF members have traditionally been generous in supporting the bursary fund. While we expect greater participation by other West European countries this time, we will still be relying heavily on your generosity. As the pie chart shows we are looking for a bursary fund of at least £30,000. Past experience shows that enabling young leaders from emerging situations to attend such a conference is pivotal in developing lasting new work. Gifts can be sent to the ICMDA (UK) Trust and Gift Aid can be claimed where appropriate.

We have been encouraged by a significant gift for travel from a Netherlands agency and the Dutch CMF. Other expenses, notably supporting James and his team, continue as before. Thank you for your continued prayerful support of this exciting and growing work.