Two professors and four students from our Department 4 took part in the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) in Indonesia from June 10-14, 2023.
Six years ago, 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 due to corona. This year's congress took place from June 10-14, 2023 in Bali, Indonesia. The theme of the congress was "Together again: from evidence to reality". Around 3,000 delegates from all continents attended the conference. At the conference, current research findings were discussed, delegates were supported in their professional development, relationships and partnerships were developed and established, ideas were cultivated and ways for the further development of the midwifery profession and midwifery science were developed.
The exchange focused on topics such as the impact of climate change on maternal and child health, the inequitable pay and facilities 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 Program Committee (SPPC) had selected a diverse program of collaborative, innovative and interactive sessions led by scientists and leaders from the fields of 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 "Strategy and Policy" panel. As a co-founder and former member of the board, Professor Knape, Ph.D., was able to illustrate the influence of the midwifery scientific society using the example of the development of medical guidelines. Professor Michaela Michel-Schuldt, Ph.D. presented the results of her analysis of the regulation and self-administration of the midwifery profession in Germany using an international instrument. Compared to other academic healthcare professions, midwives in Germany are excluded from key self-governing bodies in the healthcare 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 makes it difficult to plan specialist staff. As a result, 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) and universities of applied sciences (FHs) in international scientific congresses and conferences as well as international trade fairs (face-to-face 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 from the Bachelor's degree course in Midwifery took part. Dealing with national and global topics was an enriching experience for the entire group. Existing partnerships with international organizations such as the United Nations Population Fund, the World Health Organization and the ICM, as well as with other midwifery universities, were expanded and new partners were gained. The existing partnership between HWG Ludwigshafen and the University of Bologna, Zurich University of Applied Sciences Winterthur, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Robert Gordon University Aberdeen and Lebanese University as part of the International Student Midwives Network was presented at the congress and lecturers from the participating universities also had the opportunity to discuss the excellent program in person on site.
The next ICM Congress will take place in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2026.
Text and image: Michaela Michel-Schuldt Ph.D.
