History of IAAH

The formation of the International Assocation for Adolescent Health occured at the Fourth Symposium under the auspices of the Australian Assocation for Adolsecent Health.  A charter for the International Assocation, signed by 16 delegtes from 13 countries, created and 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 affiliatons 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).  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 Adolsecent 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 Assocation 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.

'Offical 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 Bulhman).  This development further consolidated IAAH's connection with WHO's adolescent health program.  The Assocation was now a legitimate, international voice for young health concerns and its relationship with the Society for Adolescent Medicine was evolving.

In the 1990's adolescent health assocations/societies were established in Spain, Switzerland, England, Israel, Brazil, Argentia, 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 Assembly in Vancouver, Canada (1995), IAAH's most ambitious and far-reaching undertaking to that point.  The theme of teh Assembly was 'Youth Empowerment'.  THe Montreux Prize of the Swiss Association for Adolescent Health, a legacy of the 1991 Congress, was presented for the first time, to Vinit Sharma of India.  In addition to the Montreux prize, during Tonkin's Presidency, IAAH initiated the FOunders Award and more recently, the Herb Friedman lectureship.

Following the Youth Health Assembly, IAAH entered a period of consolidation and redirection.  The organization embraced the electronic age with the development of its own website, governance by email, and building a network on international linkages.  This was done under the auspices of President Dr Suebagshaw from New Zealand.  At the same time was given to promoting regional conferences and offering something more than a congress once every 4 years.

In 2006 saw regional meetings held in Europe, South America, Oceania, and Asia. It is hoped that the first African Regional meeting will be held soon. The new President Dr Ueli Beuhlmann will be focusing on bringing more money into the organization to develop its work further.