YPG Structure
The Young Pharmacists Group is a network of motivated young pharmacists inside the FIP, each having an equal role within the group. Each year at the FIP World Pharmacy Congress, a business meeting known as the ‘YPG Assembly’ is held where the strategy and budget for the year ahead is approved. Any congress delegates can attend the meeting but only FIP members, who have graduated less then 5 years ago from their first degree in pharmacy or members younger then 35 years of age are eligible to move motions, vote and stand for elections during the Business meeting.
Each year, the Assembly elects a Steering Committee to manage the network and facilitate the communication. The Steering Committee consists of the Chairperson, Public Relations Officer and Project Coordinator. In recent years, the Steering Committee have also appointed individuals to undertake certain task-specific roles including Newsletter Editor.
The Steering Committee:
- Maintains internal communication between and provides support to the young members of FIP
- Co-ordinate the planning of the activities for young members during the annual FIP Congress
- Appoints coordinators as deemed appropriate
- Manages the financial responsibilities as defined in the current documents
- Attends FIP Congress and other events where possible
Download the minutes of the 2009 YPG Business Meeting here
Download the minutes of the 2010 YPG Business Meeting here
Download the latest YPG presentation here
Meet the 2011-2012 Steering Committee
From left to right: Luis Lourenço, Tara Hehir, Mehdi Zeghal
Chair - Luis Lourenço
My name is Luís Miguel Lourenço (also known as "Bill"). I was born and raised in Porto, Portugal and I'm currently managing my familiy's community pharmacy in the outskirts of Lisbon. I have a strong interest in business management, leadership, and political science, areas where I had post-graduate education and that will help me fulfilling my duty as YPG Chairperson.
I am not new in the international organizations' arena: while in school I was an active member of the International Pharmaceutical Student's Federation (IPSF) and implemented several international projects as executive member of my local and national student's organization. I became involved with FIP as a staff member of 4 annual congress, an experience that helped me understading the organisation, its mission and goals.
My interests outside the pharmacy world are sports, personal development and history.
Project Coordinator - Mehdi Zeghal
My name is Mehdi ZEGHAL; I'm a 30 years old pharmacist from Tunisia and currently working as a market research executive in France. After my pharmacy graduation, I've joined a school of management in Lyon, France, and got an MSc in management. This background fits with the requirements of the position of YPG Project Coordinator.
My experience with global organizations started in 2001 with the International Pharmaceutical Student's Federation (IPSF), where I became treasurer from 2008 until 2010. My involvement within FIP started in 2009 and since then I've attended 3 FIP congresses as a staff member.
This year is a very challenging year as it will be the centennial of the FIP and the 10th year of the YPG Grant. A lot of projects are to be set and the Steering committee is willing to complete the great job initiated by our predecessors and to keep a new dimension to this young pharmacist's network.
Public Relations Coordinator - Tara Hehir
My name is Tara Hehir. I live in Sydney, Australia, but for the last 5 years I have worked as a locum pharmacist, in both rural and metropolitan areas of Australia. I am an accredited medication review pharmacist, and also involved with the educational programs offered by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA). I am involved with the intern training program and the Certificate 2 and 3 for Pharmacy assistant program in both a marking and tutorial roles.
My experience with international pharmacy organizations began as a student, when I was involved in the organization of the IPSF congress held in Cairns, as Registration coordinator and Post-Congress Tour coordinator. I have also attended 5 FIP congresses, once as staff in Sydney.
This year in my role as Public Relations Coordinator, I would like to help get YPG's more involved with FIP, both in attending functions and becoming more involved within sections that relate to their area of practice.
Interested in Getting Involved?
Being actively involved in the leadership of YPG is an unforgettable and very rewarding experience. It’s an opportunity to work with new friends from around the world and get a unique insight into the World of FIP and international pharmacy.
It is hard work and Committee members need to be in a position to dedicate at least a few hours each week to YPG. The majority of the group's work is done online, so you will need to have access to the internet. The committee meet twice during the year, once in March (normally at the FIP Secretariat in The Hague, The Netherlands) and once in September before the FIP Congress.
Any young pharmacist who is a member of FIP YPG can run for election. Candidates do not need to be present during the election which takes place during the Annual Assembly of FIP YPG Members at the FIP Congress. Details on how to apply for the 2009/10 YPG Steering Committee will be posted here in early 2010.
Below you’ll find the job descriptions for each of the positions. If you are interested in being appointed to a task specific position such as the Newsletter Editor, please contact the YPG Steering Committee.
