1. www.internationalmidwives.org Strengthening Midwifery in LAC: Partnerships, plans and progress Frances Ganges ICM Board Member, Caribbean and N. America

2. www.internationalmidwives.org ICM: The voice of midwives globally Umbrella organization of professional Midwives Associations 108 Member Associations 300,000 Midwives 100 Countries 4 Regions Africa Asia- Pacific Americas Europe

3. www.internationalmidwives.org ICM Americas Region North America USA, Canada Caribbean Latin America Board Regional Representatives: Mirian Solis – Latin America Frances Ganges – N. America/Caribbean

4. www.internationalmidwives.org Americas Region at a Glance 108 ICM Member Associations globally Total of 16 in the Americas LAC region: 13 members Guyana is our newest member (Nov. 2012) Two regional organizations: Caribbean Regional Midwives Association (13+) Federation Latin America Midwives (5)

5. www.internationalmidwives.org Update existing & develop new core documents Work to be accomplished became known as the “Three Pillars” of ICM’s global efforts to strengthen midwifery worldwide Pillars include education based on updated core competencies, regulation, and strong Member Associations. 5 ICM Council Decisions 2008

6. www.internationalmidwives.org Strengthening Midwifery Globally International Confederation of Midwives 3 Pillars of ICM Provides professional support Contributes to policy development Supports relationships with other health professions Provides practice standards Defines & protects scope of practice Provides a highly qualified workforce

7. www.internationalmidwives.org Enables midwives to speak with one voice about the issues that affect the profession and MCH Liaise with government, regulatory and academic bodies and other stakeholders regarding practice standards, education, research and other professional issues Provides a focal point for the profession; Policy makers; community; civil society know where and whom to consult Makes the profession visible 7 WHY Strong Midwifery Associations?

8. www.internationalmidwives.org Partnerships and support UNFPA- region and country offices USAID and MCHIP FCI PAHO ICM – HQ and member associations MOH –country level

9. www.internationalmidwives.org Progress Building associations and leadership Country profiles Midwifery Association Capacity Assessment Tool (MACAT) Advocacy training

10. www.internationalmidwives.org Progress… Launch of Young midwifery leaders Distance learning modalities Regional planning meetings Regional conference

11. www.internationalmidwives.org Plans and opportunities Continuing professional development distance and e-learning modalities Competency-based learning Workshops in HBB and HMS Young Midwifery Leaders Twinning Other organization and leadership development

12. www.internationalmidwives.org 30 th ICM Triennial Congress June 1-5, 2014 http://www.midwives2014.org/ 12 See you in Prague!

13. www.internationalmidwives.org Thank you International Confederation of Midwives Laan van Meerdervoort 70 2517AN, The Hague The Netherlands Telephone +31 (0)70 3060 520 Fax +31 (0)70 3555 651 Email info@internationalmidwives.org www.internationalmidwives.org