The Reciprocity Project is a student-led initiative that advocates for socially responsible, just, and equitable global health education practices. This project is run by the Global Health Concentration, a global health focused student group at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) in Calgary, Alberta,

Many students at CSM have participated in global health electives abroad and benefited greatly from their experiences. However, while international medical students have expressed the desire to do a global health elective in Calgary, this opportunity does not yet exist.

This results in an inequitable relationship favouring CSM. This is not limited to CSM as few opportunities in general exist for medical students from low-income countries to do electives in high-income countries. Our project addresses this inequity through the creation and funding of an elective in Calgary for students attending medical schooling in low income countries. This elective began in 2016 and involved student placements in inner city and global health related clinics in Calgary.

The project has three goals:

1. To pioneer a medical education curriculum for students from low-income countries on elective in Canada

2. To reduce barriers for students from low income partner institutions to come to Calgary

3. To promote equity in global health education and strengthen our relationship with our partner institutions in lower income countries

Our history of partnership with medical training institutions in other countries has engendered respect for their history, culture and values. Our project promotes equity, social justice and the global public good by expanding access to medical education. This will also emphasize the practice of global health in Canada, allowing students to work with vulnerable and marginalized populations in local communities.