History of IAAH
The formation of the International Assocation for Adolescent Health occurred at the Fourth Symposium under the auspices of the Australian Association for Adolescent Health. A charter for the International Association, signed by 16 delegates from 13 countries, created an Interim Committee chaired by Dr Murray Williams. A further 132 individuals recorded their agreement. By 1990 there were 400 members from 50 countries and informal affiliations with 60 non-government organisations. Since then, IAAH's active membership has stablised at 300 individuals from 50 countries and there are over 20 national and regional associations for adolescent health/medicine representing an estimated membership of 5000 individuals.

IAAH's first President Murray Williams passed presidency to David Bennett (1989-1994) to Roger Tonkin (1994-2001) to Sue Bagshaw (2001-2005). Ueli Buhlman is currently president (2005 -) David Bennett developed an executive structure for IAAH in 1989 and put the organisation on a more secure financial footing. The initial executive members were David Bennett (Australia), Diana Birch (UK), Anne McCarthy (Ireland), and Manny Chigier (Israel). Others invited to serve on the committee as reresentatives: Pierre-Andre Michaud (Congress Organising Committee), Herbert Friedman (WHO), Joe Sanders (SAM), Roger Tonkin (International Regional Chapter of SAM), Abdoulaye Sar (Youth Organisations). Regional representatives were also appointed: Anameli Monray (Latin American), Gerben Sinnema (Europe) and Prema Bail (Asia). The Australian Association for Adolescent Health and the Society for Adolescent Medicine provided much appreciated financial support.

The 5th International Congress of Adolescent Health, 'A Time for Action' held in Montreux, Switzerland in July 1991, was the first international adolescent health conference under the auspices of IAAH. It was co-sponsored by WHO and the International Children's Centre in Paris and featured effective youth participation, over 350 delegates from 40 countries and a diversity of interesting papers, posters and discussions. At the Congress the definitive structure for IAAH Executive and the Articles of Association were ratified. IAAH's council was expanded to accommodate representatives from all regions of the world and groups from Africa, Asia and Europe met to plan strategies for action and to develop timetables for future regional activities.

'Official relations' status with the World Health Organisation was awarded to IAAH at the World Health Assembly in January 1993. This drew IAAH into the global family of recognised, humanitarian non-Government organisations (NGO's) and opened the way to representation at the annual World Health Assembly and other WHO events (a role assumed by Switzerland-based Dr Ueli Bulhmann). This development further consolidated IAAH's connection with WHO's adolescent health program. The Association was now a legitimate, international voice for youth health concerns and its relationship with the Society for Adolescent Medicine was evolving.

In the 1990's adolescent health associations/societies were established in Spain, Switzerland, England, Israel, Brazil, Argentina, Canada and New Zealand. Each hosted conferences focussing on issues of local importance. Many provided members with a regular newsletter. This period featured a build-up to the Youth Health