“It was a historic milestone for the Católica Medical School. The CMS Model WHO 2025 conference, organized by the CMS Model WHO Association in partnership with the United Nations Association (UNA) Portugal, at the Católica Medical School, was the first WHO model simulation ever held in Portugal. Hosting this event at the Católica Medical School marked a fundamental step toward promoting a more global, interdisciplinary, and socially engaged medical education.
With participants from over 15 nationalities and four continents, this conference positioned the Universidade Católica Portuguesa as a pioneer in Portugal and globally in integrating innovative educational projects, reinforcing its commitment to medical education that is not only clinically excellent but also globally conscious and ethically driven.
The CMS Model WHO 2025 placed the Católica Medical School on the global stage of Model United Nations (MUN) and Model WHO conferences, especially in the medical context. I’m confident it fostered essential skills in FMUCP’s future healthcare professionals, such as diplomacy, negotiation, and the ability to operate in complex and multicultural scenarios.”
How did the opportunity to hold this event at the Católica Medical School come about?
“This initiative started thanks to the supportive environment of the Católica Medical School, which backed the creation of the CMS Model WHO Society in July 2024. This non-profit student association, led by Francisco Afonso (current president) and in which I recently took on the role of vice-president, brought together 40 medical students who recognized the value of Model UN and Model WHO conferences in shaping well-rounded, prepared healthcare professionals.
The association’s aim was to facilitate students’ participation in both international and local conferences, enriching their personal and professional development.
The association has been committed to the mission of the United Nations and the WHO, grounded in values such as human rights, health advocacy, diplomacy, collaboration, compassion, integrity, a strong ethical sense, peacebuilding, and professionalism, while maintaining an apolitical and secular stance.
The opportunity to organize the CMS Model WHO 2025 emerged from a shared vision between the CMS Model WHO Association, the Católica Medical School, and UNA Portugal to innovate medical education in Portugal. Inspired by the UN model and the growing relevance of diplomacy, multilateralism, and international cooperation in public health, the idea was born to create an international conference bridging medicine and international relations.”
This year’s theme was “Ensuring Health Care Access in Zones of Conflict.” Why was it important to bring this topic to medical students?
“Bringing this topic was crucial. Right now, access to healthcare is under attack and remains a core issue on the WHO agenda. Conflicts in Sudan, Palestine, Syria, Ukraine, Yemen, and many others are jeopardizing the universality of the right to health. It makes us reflect — I borrow the words of WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: ‘Peace is the best medicine.’
This discussion should not be restricted to medical students alone — it should involve participants from diverse areas such as medicine, law, economics, nursing, international relations, among others.
By exploring this topic, participants were challenged to act as diplomats of different countries in a simulated World Health Assembly and reflect on the crucial role diplomacy plays in resolving conflicts that undermine healthcare.
It was a unique opportunity to develop global awareness, understand the importance of consensus-building, learn how the WHO operates, how humanitarian responses are built, and how to ensure healthcare in contexts where access is limited — or outright denied.”
What happened during the event? What were the key moments and speakers?
“The conference took place over the weekend of June 21–22, 2025.
There were 50 participants who acted as diplomats from assigned countries within the WHO committee. Across seven working sessions, they debated different perspectives as true representatives of those nations, aiming to negotiate, build bridges, and collaboratively draft a resolution which was adopted by consensus in the final plenary, in line with WHO model rules.
We also had a journalism team composed of participants acting as reporters, who wrote articles, conducted interviews with delegates, and held a press conference at the end of the first day.
Beyond the academic component, we organized a social program to promote relaxation and fun, showcasing Portuguese culture and cuisine — including the festivities of Lisbon’s traditional Santos Populares.
At the closing ceremony, held on June 22 at 3 p.m. in the main auditorium of the Católica Medical School, we were honored to host Dr. Carina Ferreira-Borges of the WHO, coordinator for the Alcohol, Illicit Drugs and Prison Health Program in the WHO European Regional Office.
We were also joined by Her Excellency Ms. Rawan Sulaiman, Ambassador of Palestine to Portugal, and Her Excellency Ms. Annick Josiane Capet-Bakou, Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to Portugal.
After the final speeches, awards were presented to the delegates who stood out the most during the CMS Model WHO 2025, with contributions from six different sponsors. One highlight was the Health Advocate Award, granted by the Católica Medical School to the delegate who showed exceptional commitment to promoting health as a universal right, proposing fair and feasible solutions to global health challenges.
This award reflected the values of the CanMEDS framework used in the Integrated Master’s in Medicine at the Católica Medical School, emphasizing the role of the physician as a health advocate, communicator, collaborator, leader, scholar, and responsible professional.”
What did it mean to you to be part of the organization of this event?
“Being part of the CMS Model WHO organization meant much more than simply helping organize an academic event. It meant actively contributing to a project that was born from a vision, embraced by an extraordinary team of dedicated and talented people, with the goal of offering students at the Católica Medical School — and from other institutions worldwide — a unique opportunity for personal, academic, and professional growth.
Organizing the CMS Model WHO since December 2024 was a daily exercise in teamwork, resilience, and leadership.
As conference director, I was immensely proud to work alongside Francisco Afonso, founder of the CMS Model WHO Society; Leonor Filipe, Secretary-General, who helped unite the team; Madalena Pires de Lima and Juliana Costa, who brilliantly led the academic component; Marta Brum Feijão and Lúcia Nogueira, who brought the event to life through marketing; Maria Carvalho and José Russo, who created unforgettable social events; Francisca Rosas and Francisco Carvalho, who built key partnerships; and Ingrid Rodrigues, Marta Miguel, and Joana Martins, who ensured flawless logistics; as well as Matilde Santos, Director-General of the simulated WHO because without her teamwork and also hard work we wouldn't have had reached the final resolution. She was supported by Deputy Directors-General Alekzander Musk and Catarina Fonseca.
A special thank you goes to the chairs — Rania Afifi, Joshua Karwofodi, Sara Ferreira, and Derk Beemer — for their outstanding work preparing to moderate the debates, and to the journalism team.
None of this would have been possible without the indispensable support of the UNA Portugal team, who co-organized this event with us, the Católica Medical School, which provided the venue, the Católica Luz Academic Clinical Center, and all our partners and sponsors.
Being part of this organization was also my way of giving back to my academic community by creating a space where students could experience the Model UN ‘at home,’ at the Católica Medical School. I felt enormous pride in watching our team turn a dream into reality and in contributing to raising awareness and discussion around global health — particularly healthcare access in conflict zones.”
What were the main takeaways from the event?
“I hope the CMS Model WHO offered participants an experience that highlighted how the great challenges of global health require collaborative, innovative solutions rooted in intercultural dialogue and consensus-building.
Beyond technical development, we hoped this would also be a space for new friendships and for strengthening the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect that underpins health diplomacy and the United Nations mission.
As mentioned earlier, one of the most significant moments of the event was the joint drafting of a resolution, adopted by consensus under WHO model rules. This document will later be presented to Portugal’s Directorate-General of Health and the WHO European Regional Office as a way to carry forward the work done and contribute to the international debate on this topic.
Finally, I hope the success of this initiative helped reinforce the prestige of the Católica Medical School, solidifying its image as an innovative institution committed to the challenges of global health.”