ICM Regional Conference in Berlin: Strengthening Midwives’ Associations Across Europe 

Days One and Two: Building Skills for Stronger Associations 

The conference began with an inspiring opening ceremony that set the tone for the days ahead. ICM President Sanda Oyarzo Torres welcomed participants with a powerful message, “This event is more than a conference; it is a step towards realising our vision of stronger, more resilient midwives’ associations that can more effectively participate in policy processes and have an even bigger impact on the health of our communities and countries.”  

The real work began as participants dove into workshops designed to build essential skills for strengthening midwives’ associations. Topics ranged from finance and governance to leadership and communications, each session aimed at creating resilient, well-equipped associations. This workshop-based format, with workshop topics identified through ICM’s member associations in our biannual needs survey, was used in the Regional Conference in Kigali, and will continue at next year’s Regional Conferences.  

The lunch breaks were an excellent opportunity get hand massages at the wellness-area organised by the Conference’s main partner, Weleda. Day Two also featured a symposium hosted by Messer SE & Co. KGaA which explored the use of pharmacological gases as a method of pain relief during childbirth. Poster presentations were a popular destination during breaks, giving participants the opportunity to learn about the innovative work midwives are doing across the region.  

Participants also had the chance to relax on Weleda’s Caring for the Carer booth, where relaxing massages offered a much needed moment of rest.  

Day Three: Practical Skills and Hands-On Learning 

The final day focused on practical workshops that allowed midwives to deepen their knowledge and gain hands-on experience. Workshops ranged from Person-Centred, Respectful Midwifery Care for Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Migrants, which explored culturally competent care for vulnerable populations, to Scaling up Midwifery Units in Europe, which guided participants in strategic planning for implementing midwifery units. 

A standout was the South to North Knowledge Exchange, where midwives from Rwanda traveled to Berlin to teach their peers about comprehensive abortion care. The ICM Essential Competencies include comprehensive abortion care within the midwife scope of practice. While it is common for midwives in Africa to provide these services, in Europe, it is less so. This workshop provided an opportunity for European midwives to learn how to provide these services from midwives who are delivering them firsthand.  

ICM Board Member for Europe, Lia Brigante, closed the conference with an important message for midwives,“ We come from different countries, but we are facing the same struggles. Our time here has been a powerful reminder that we are stronger together. Now, as we return to our own countries, let’s carry forward this momentum, these connections, and this shared knowledge.” Now is the time to adapt the pieces of the puzzle from the Conference workshops to your own context, building stronger, more resilient midwives’ associations across Europe. Remember, working towards common goals strengthens us all. 

Thank you to everyone who made the Europe Regional Conference possible, first the German Midwives’ Association (Deutscher Hebammenverband) for co-hosting the event, and then our sponsors and partners: Weleda, Messer, ResviNet, UBC Midwifery School, Laerdal, KNOV, and the European Journal of Midwifery. Day Three workshops were facilitated by MUNet, WHO, Breech Birth Network, and AIME. 

If you missed out on the conference or want to relive the highlights, watch the conference video.