ICM Board Meeting 28-29 May 2015 –Report from the Board Members – Mary Kirk
Annual Report from Asia-Pacific
Mary Kirk
Report of Activities including regulation, education and strengthening midwifery associations
in The Region:
Following the election of an additional Asia-Pacific Board Member at the Prague Council meeting in
2014 the region was divided into three sub-regions. The countries in my sub-region are: Mongolia;
Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Papua New Guinea, Sarawak and Australia.
Regional Conference Yokohama, Japan July 2015
The organising of this conference has been challenging for all involved. Hosting by all member
associations in Japan has added a particular complexity with competing imperatives. Meeting the
needs of all parties, including ICM, has remained difficult.
Opportunity for ICM: provide further clarity in the regional conference manual on the
purpose of the conference.
Development of Midwifery in the Pacific
UNFPA (Fiji) have committed to assisting in the establishment of a professional association for
midwives in the Pacific. Further communication has been held between the ACM and NZCOM as well
as Sue Bree and Mary Kirk. Another meeting of midwife representatives from each Pacific country as
well as UNFPA will take place at the next Pacific Society for Reproductive Health conference in July.
May 2014 – ICM, ICN & WHO Triad Meeting (not reported in 2014)
I presented on workforce issues at the biennial triad meeting in Geneva.
Opportunity for ICM: Seek attendance by more midwifery associations at the meeting.
November - Strengthening Midwifery In China
This was a UNFPA funded visit and included the launch of SoWMy, a one day workshop on
developing midwifery in China and meetings with relevant education and health leaders in Beijing. The
focus of this visit was to provide support in strengthening midwifery as a profession.
This meeting was attended by Sue Bree.
December – ICM Strategic Planning Working, ICM The Hague
I participated in this workshop on behalf of the Region.
February – Business Strategy Workshop, ICM The Hague
I participated in this workshop on behalf of the Region.
March - Midwifery Workforce Planning meeting hosted by UNFPA
Despite significance to all areas of the region funding was only provided for this meeting to be
attended by one board member only.
This meeting was attended by Rafat Jan.
Opportunity for ICM: make transparent the process for allocation of funds and
rationale for attendance by board members (including members of the Executive
Committee) and staff at significant regional events
Current issues of Significance in The Region & ICM
ICM Board Meeting 28-29 May 2015 –Report from the Board Members – Mary Kirk
Midwifery scope of practice: the need for clarity on the distinct role of the midwife is more urgent
than ever in the region.
Strengthening midwifery associations: poverty and the place of women in society makes it
especially challenging for midwives to establish and maintain viable associations.
Funding: it remains an issue that the regional representatives are not funded to attend significant
meetings in this region.
Communication: remains challenging.
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