Nurturing friendships, sharing knowledge: el cultivo de amistades y el compartir de conocimientos: Carmen Machado, immediate past president and trustee, Trinidad and Tobago Association of Midwives, extends a welcome to the Americas.

• Auteur: Machado, Carmen

The beautiful islands of Trinidad & Tobago welcome all participants to the first ICM Americas Regional Conference hosted by the Trinidad & Tobago Association of Midwives (TTAM), April 22-25, 2004 at the Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre, Trinidad, West Indies.

The theme 'Midwifery In The Americas--Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow' will focus on education; autonomy; traditional midwifery; globalisation and humanisation of childbirth. The concurrent sessions on these topics will feature 60 speakers from 14 countries.

Other features of the conference include:

* a pre-conference workshop on 'Gender-based violence--the role of the midwife'

* post-conference workshops on 'Post-partum haemorrhage & active management of the third stage of labour' and 'Centering pregnancy'.

* an educators' workshop for sharing between regional educators

* a dinner meeting for midwife researchers

The following initiatives will be launched:

* Achieving the U.N. Millennium Development Goals with the Midwifery Model of Care

* The Partnership for Safe Motherhood and Newborn Health--The ICN/ICM Birth Registration Campaign

* The Young Midwifery Leaders Project

* The Columbia University Awards

The Panel discussions comprise:

* Midwifery Education in the Region with Argentina, Barbados, Jamaica, Canada and Mexico

* Traditional Midwifery with Traditional Midwives from Guatemala, Canada, Mexico and Trinidad & Tobago

* Innovative Models of Midwifery Case in Canada, Basbados, and Trinidad & Tobago

Our partners include PAHO; UNFPA; the Government of Trinidad & Tobago and various other private agencies. The Conference will be bi-lingual with simultaneous English/ Spanish translation for the 300 participants expected from 25 countries.

The programme will be exciting, stimulating and educational, enhanced by a beautiful, tropical climate of blue skies and cool breezes and the warmth of friendly people and delicious cuisine.

The Opening Ceremony will feature an address by the Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, and will be followed by two full conference days during which a cadre of loved, respected and renowned presenters will share their knowledge, expertise and ideas. The closing ceremony will exhibit a 'Carnival' like celebration (for which T&T is famous).

This historical event will provide an opportunity for networking, nurturing friendships, sharing knowledge and innovative ideas in addition to the bonus of visiting the island paradise of Trinidad & Tobago--'The Land of the...