ICM Newsletter December 2016

Season's Greetings | Felices Fiestas | Meilleurs Voeux

Our office will close on 21 December, 2016 and open on 4 January, 2017

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who worked, supported and participated in our events and programmes the whole year through. We look forward to see you in the 31st ICM Triennial Congress in Toronto. Get more information about the Congress HERE

ICM Chief Executive, Frances Ganges with some of the ICM Staff

Message from the President

This week, as I thought about the approaching Christmas season and the end of 2016, I listened to a radio programme that triggered in me a perspective previously never considered. The topic of discussion was Christmas, the birth of Christ and what if any meaning it had in the UK and the world today. You might wonder what the view that conflict and immigration had characterised much of the year has to do with midwives and midwifery. Two reflections resonated with me the story of the birth of Christ is really a story of a refugee family fleeing persecution: forced migration and conflict.

This is what many countries have experienced in 2016 as intolerance increased worldwide. We only have to think of Afghanistan, DRC, Syria, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Paris, Berlin, to name a few, as to witness the impact of the twin scourges. Many midwives have faced these situations and others, such as the Ebola epidemic, with courage and dedication even whilst paying a high price – the loss of their lives. We remember, honour and salute them.

Once every 3 years midwives have the chance to gather together, meet with, share and learn from each other and international leaders in the field. That time is fast approaching and the time to sign up for the 31st ICM Triennial Congress, June 2017, is now. This is the world’s greatest gathering of midwives with leaders from different aspect of midwifery and women’s sexual and reproductive health. Where global leaders of non-governmental organizations, midwives associations, research, educators, public and private organisations and UN agencies gather in one place for one week to focus on Midwives - Making a difference in the world.

So as and we end 2016 I wish you a season of peace and joy and I look with forward, with hope to successful Council and Congress, to a more peaceful and safer world for women, their babies and families and to us all.

Frances Day-Stirk ICM President

Members of the ICM Executive Committee, from left to right - Ingela Wiklund (Treasurer), Frances Ganges (Chief Executive), Frances Day-Stirk (President) and Address Malata (Vice President)

Message from Chief Executive

Dear Midwives, Partners, Friends and Colleagues:

As we enter the holiday season, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your ongoing support to midwives and to ICM. It has been a wonderful year and because of your dedicated support, commitment and engagement we have seen tremendous results and successes for mothers and newborns around the globe.

On behalf of the Board and staff at ICM, we appreciate the opportunity to work with you and are look forward to continued collaboration to ensure that 2017 is an even better year for mothers, newborns and their families.

I wish you a healthy, happy and safe holiday season and with the very best in the year to come.

Sincerely,
Frances Ganges
ICM Chief Executive

Midwifery Services Framework (MSF)

Many countries have identified the need to strengthen Sexual Reproductive Maternal Newborn Adolescent Health (SRMNAH) to increase the survival, health and wellbeing of women, children and families. In many cases, however, the question remains – how do you develop or strengthen these services? The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), along with several partners has developed a resource to address these issues.

The Midwifery Services Framework (MSF) supports the development and strengthening of midwifery services, with a focus on a quality midwifery workforce. The MSF offers a systemic approach to tackling the wider issues of health system strengthening, improving quality of SRMNAH care and effective human resources for health development. The MSF helps in facilitating strengthening midwifery services in a way that works best for each country. The process is initiated and led by a national government in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. ICM facilitates the process in the initial stages and provides on-going technical support as needed.

The MSF process results in specific, agreed-upon action items and next steps that can be tackled collectively by national, district and community capacity and expertise. In 2016 the MSF was introduced in Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Ghana, Togo and Kyrgyzstan, and is being implemented in Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Kyrgzstan.

Ghana Registered Midwives Association with ICM representatives in a group photo after the MSF introductory workshop

One of the participant preparing her presentation during MSF introductory workshop in Bangladesh

MSF workshop in Kyrgzstan

YML Programme: Establishing a Culture of Leadership

12 Young Midwifery Leaders (YML) from Africa, Americas and Asia have embarked on a journey that will equip them with leadership skills and empower them to make meaningful change in their society and profession. The introductory leadership workshop, which took place in Abu Dhabi from 5-9 December, is a continuation of an 18-month programme, which started in Copenhagen during the Women Deliver conference.

Click HERE to read more

YMLs in a group photo with their mentors and ICM representatives

And the Winners are.....

Mid this year, ICM announced three awards - Marie Goubran, Education and Research. We are happy to present the winners, the title and summary of their proposed research.

The awards includes:-

- A monetary contribution towards their research project - Full sponsorship to the ICM Triennial Congress in Toronto 18-22 June, 2017, where they may have the opportunity to present their work. - Possibility to submit their work to the International Journal of Childbirth (IJC) if applicable

Marie Goubran Award The 2016 winner will be announced in 2017

Education Award 1. Loreto Pantoja Manzanares, Colegio de Matronas de Chile 2. Bupe Mwamba, Midwives Association of Zambia (MAZ) 3. Elke Slagt-Tichelman, Royal Dutch Midwives Association (KNOV) 4. Zahra Sultani, Afghanistani Midwives Associaition (AMA)

Research Award 1. Violet Kaonga, Association of Malawian Midwives (AMAMI) 2. Kleyde Ventura de Souza, Brasilian Associaition of Midwives and Nurse-Midwives

To read the summary of the winners' research click HERE

Photo Snippets

We are delighted to share with you some of our 2016 journey in photos. You can view more in our Website, Twitter and Facebook