Brisbane, Australia, 24-28 July 2005--midwifery: pathways to Healthy Nations.

• Tenlastelegging: News from ICM, members and partners - International Confederation of Midwives

In five months time, Caroline Weaver, ICM President, and the Organising Committee from Australia will welcome the midwives of the world to Brisbane, Australia for the 27th Triennial Congress of the ICM. The Congress will commence on Sunday July 24 with a Service of Blessing and Dedication, then the Opening Ceremony, where all member associations will be welcomed. Following the entertainment and formalities, Congress participants will proceed to a Reception. From Monday, the Organising Committee and the Scientific Programme Committee have planned an innovative scientific programme for midwives working in all areas of midwifery.

* Day 1 of the Congress will introduce History, and the expected Keynote Speaker will be an indigenous midwife from the Americas

* Day 2 introduces Professionalism with the Keynote speaker, Lennie Kamwendo from Malawi

* Day 3 is Current ways of knowing, diversity of thought; the Keynote speaker for this day will be Dora Opoku from the UK

* Day 4 has the topic Healthy Nations, Safe Motherhood, Future Pathways: the Keynote Speaker is Hannah Dahlen from Australia.

All keynote speakers are well known in their own countries but we as midwives need to hear them and learn from them, so that we can be effective change agents on our return home. French, Spanish and Japanese translation will be available each day for the keynote and plenary session. The concurrent sessions are diverse, allowing midwives to choose from a wide range of topics. Approximately 500 papers have been accepted for oral presentation, as well as an extensive poster display. Please read the published programme to appreciate the...