A group of Polish and foreign students participated in V4 Conference on 26-29 April, 2018 in Lodz. It was the second edition of the project initiated jointly by four medical students organizations: IFMSA-Poland, IFMSA-CZ, SloMSA and HuMSIRC. The first meeting of the representatives from Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and  Slovakia was held in 2017 in Balatonfured, Hungary.

This year’s event attracted the participants to Lodz where they could get to know each other better, encourage cooperation but also broaden their knowledge of mental health. They had an opportunity to listen to lectures on the biggest issues related to mental health and interdisciplinary collaboration. They also participated in Oxford debate and so called “Project Fair” where they could share their initiatives and projects on mental health in different countries. The event also included workshops in soft skills, run by trainers of IFMSA-Poland as well as workshops in psychological tools required in medical practice, run by MUL specialists.

The visit also gave the guests an excellent opportunity to learn about the city of Lodz. They could visit Planetarium at EC1, admire woonerfs, numerous murals, Pasaż Róży, Plac Wolności. The social programme offered a chance to find out something more about the culture of all the four countries. It was complemented with a knowledge quiz focused on the respective countries and the social meeting where the guests could introduce their national delicacies, snacks and drinks.

The event was a truly unique opportunity of experience exchange and a design of  further activities aimed at improvement in mental disease prevention and health promotion. Moreover, it was a chance for students from Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary to establish international contacts and foster the relations between Central European countries. The fact that MUL English Division students, represented mainly Egypt and Saudi Arabia, also joined in added a multinational value to the event.

The event was organised under the patronage of the Rector of Medical University of Lodz, Prof. Radzisław Kordek MD PhD, President of Lodz, Hanna Zdanowska, Marshal of Lodz Region, Witold Stęień, Regional Medical Council in Lodz, Polish Psychiatric Association and Polish Psychologists’ Association.

V4 Conference Project is co-funded by the City of Lodz.