Two professors and four students from our Department 4 attended the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) in Indonesia from June 10-14, 2023.
Six years ago, due to corona, the last global conference of the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), the international umbrella organization of 140 national midwifery associations from 119 countries, was held. This year's congress was held June 10-14, 2023, in Bali, Indonesia. The theme of the congress was "Together again: from evidence to reality." About 3,000 delegates from all continents attended the conference. The conference discussed current research findings, supported delegates in their professional development, developed and built relationships and partnerships, and cultivated ideas and developed pathways for advancing the profession of midwifery and midwifery science.
Exchanges focused on issues such as the impact of climate change on maternal-child health, the inequitable pay and equipment of midwives worldwide in the context of the gender-pay gap (more than 90% of midwives worldwide are women), and improving care for marginalized groups by overcoming racism and discrimination.
The ICM Scientific Professional Programme Committee (SPPC) had selected a diverse program of collaborative, innovative and interactive sessions led by scientists:and leaders in global health, midwifery science and maternal health. HWG Ludwigshafen was represented by two professors from Department IV. Professor Nina Knape, Ph.D. presented the role of the German Society for Midwifery Science (DGHWI e.V.) as an organization that influences health policy in Germany, Austria and Switzerland as part of the panel "Strategy and Policy." As a co-founder and former member of the board of directors, Professor Knape, Ph.D. was able to present the influence of the midwifery science society using the development of medical guidelines as an example. Professor Michaela Michel-Schuldt, Ph.D. presented the results of her analysis on the regulation and self-governance of the midwifery profession in Germany using an international instrument. Compared to other academic health professions, midwives in Germany are excluded from crucial bodies of self-governance in the health care system such as the Federal Joint Committee. Due to the lack of regulation by means of a professional chamber, there is no mandatory registration of midwives, which complicates professional planning. Because of this, there is also a lack of binding professional ethics.
The two professors had obtained funding from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for their participation in the "HAW.International" program. The program promotes the active participation of members of German universities of applied sciences (HAWs) or universities of applied sciences (FHs) in international scientific congresses and conferences as well as in international trade fairs (presence and online). Further information can be found here https://www2.daad.de/ausland/studieren/stipendium/de/70-stipendien-finden-und-bewerben/?detail=57479681
Together with the two professors, four students of the bachelor program in midwifery participated. The exposure to national and global issues was enriching for the entire group. Already existing partnerships with international organizations such as the United Nations Population Fund, the World Health Organization and the ICM but also with other midwifery university locations could be expanded, new partners were gained. The existing partnership of the HWG Ludwigshafen with the University of Bologna, the Zurich University of Applied Sciences Winterthur, the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, the Robert Gordon University Aberdeen and the Lebanese University within the International Student Midwives Network was presented at the congress and the lecturers of the participating universities also had the opportunity to personally exchange information about the excellent program on site.
The next ICM Congress will be held in Lisbon, Portugal in 2026.
Text and image: Michaela Michel-Schuldt Ph.D.
