June 4, 2006 

WASHINGTON, DC- UNFPA and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) will co-host a Symposium on Strengthening Midwifery. The Symposium is being held at a time when there is increasing momentum and awareness concerning the need to improve maternal and newborn health in developing countries. 

The Symposium will bring together some 200 midwives and others with midwifery skills from around the world, leading UN agencies, civil society, policy makers and donors (multi-lateral and bilateral) engaged globally in strengthening midwifery education and quality of midwifery services. Collaborating partners include WHO, GHWA, JHPIEGO, FIGO, UNICEF, and the World Bank.

The primary aim is to build the consensus required to make a fundamental push for investments in strengthened midwifery services, including education, regulation and association, as a way to reach MDGs 4, 5 and 6.

Key objectives of the Symposium are:

• To raise awareness on the critical role of midwifery services in achieving Millennium Development Goals 4, 5 and 6;
• Create a global movement for the strengthening of midwifery services, including education, regulation and association, as a way to reach MDGs 4, 5 and 6.
• Share experiences around particular challenges facing midwifery in low resource countries; and
• Launch a joint statement of key partners in support of global strengthening of midwifery to achieve MDG 5 in particular.