The first members of this new organization were the United Kingdom, Austria, the Federal Republic of Germany, Finland, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Denmark.

In the 1960s projects were organized to help less advantaged students in developing countries the Book Aid project, which sought to send medical books from wealthier nations and the Equipment Appeal, which promoted the shipping of surplus medical equipment to these countries.

To this aim, IFMSA contributed to the creation of regional medical student organizations in Africa and Asia.

In the early 1980s, the IFMSA issued a number of resolutions and declarations on topics ranging from Medical Education to the Prevention of Nuclear War to Primary Health Care.

Most NMOs have Local Committees at the medical schools in their country, which coordinate and organize IFMSA activities.

The General Assembly decides the activities of IFMSA, the regulations, and the management and elects the Team of Officials and the Supervising Council.

The executive board is responsible for the daily management of the Federation and deals with issues such as fundraising, marketing, external relations, finances, administration, development and support to National Member Organizations.

They give support to national and local officers, prepare the meetings of the Standing Committee and are responsible for the development of new activities.

Liaison Officers maintain contact with important external relations and represent IFMSA towards those organizations.

Guidelines on which areas IFMSA should focus on and other important decisions for the future of the Federation are prepared by the Presidents of the National Member Organizations and the executive board and brought for approval to the Plenary Sessions.

The entire process is run by student volunteers, from fundraising to implementation, and shows that the power of IFMSA indeed lies at the local level.

As with any international meeting, the social program is important in providing relaxation between the long hours of work and allowing the hosts to show their culture and creativity to their foreign friends.

[2] This award recognizes the organization that best employs social media to engage civil society in health systems-related dialogue.