New representatives have been elected by regions at Council and they join the ICM Board: the four new representatives from America, Africa and Central and Southern Europe introduce themselves and pledge to take forward the work of the ICM.

• Tenlastelegging: International Council of Midwives

Judith Chamisa, Africa East

I trained as a midwife in 1984, obtained a degree in adult education in 1994 and an MSc in maternal and child health in 1998. I am currently studying for a PhD with the University of South Africa.

Originally I chose midwifery out of curiosity, rather than a real interest, but now I know I could not be better placed in a profession that gives such a needed service to the community.

I have extensive experience both in midwifery practice and education, working currently as a lecturer for the Zimbabwe Open University and teaching topics such as women's health issues, maternal and child health and reproductive health. I also conduct action research in the clinical area, and have presented scientific papers at national and international level.

I am currently the President of the Zimbabwe Confederation of Midwives.

My international experience includes attending an ICM workshop in the Philippines in 1999, a programme in sexual health and rights in Sweden in 2001 and an HIV and AIDS workshop in South Africa in 2002. In addition, I am a member of the ICM Research Standing Committee.

Debrah Lewis, Americas region

As a teenager I...