ICM Prague 2014

News

1,360 Abstracts Submitted for Prague Congress - the Biggest International Representation Expected
Registration brochure in English, French, Spain and Czech is now available in the download section.
Exhibition & Sponsorship section opened

Message from the ICM President, Frances Day-Stirk

Dear Midwives,

Frances Day-Stirk Each ICM Congress is unique and provides an opportunity to share knowledge, network and strengthen midwifery in various regions of the world. The 30th ICM Congress in Prague will bring to the forefront the challenges facing midwifery, particularly in Eastern Europe, and the bridges we must build to ensure high quality women-centred midwifery care in that region of the world. Governments and our global partners have recognized that midwives are an essential workforce to achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5 by 2015.

The theme for the 2014 congress is ‘Midwives: Improving Women’s Health Globally’, a theme which reflects MDG 5: To improve maternal health. Work has started already to bring you a very special 30th Triennial Congress in one of Europe‘s very special capital cities. An ICM Congress is memorable not to be missed event. It is about the experience of thousands of midwives sharing excellence in practice,education and research and much more; it is also about mutual support at a global level. I look forward to welcoming you and wish you well as you start forward planning and gathering funds for the Prague Congress.

Frances Day-Stirk, ICM President

Message from the President of the Czech Confederation of Midwives, Věra Vránová

Dear Midwives,

Věra Vránová It is an honor for me as President of the Czech Confederation of Midwives, the host midwifery organization, to extend an invitation to the ICM 30th Triennial Congress in the Czech Republic, which is supported by our Ministry of Health and the City of Prague.

Our capital city, Prague, is known as the “heart of Europe” and I believe that similarly midwives are the “heart of maternity services worldwide”. Midwives provide a unique personal commitment and contribution to the health and wellbeing of women and their newborn. This quality along with excellent midwifery education and evidence-based competent practice sits at the core of highly skilled midwifery. It is with our open hearts and our dedication to effective midwifery practice that enables midwives to listen and respond to the needs of women in our care before, during and after the birth of their children.

Prague 2014 will provide a wonderful opportunity to share experiences and build on the essential midwifery services that we already provide for women in our respective countries and communities.

Your attendance at the Prague Congress will not only boost our nation’s midwifery but will also be a significant event for midwifery development in neighbouring countries of this Region. Many government and international organizations know that midwives play a crucial role in saving lives and strengthening national health systems: as we approach the target year of 2015 for Millennium Development Goals, it is this message that will resonate from the world’s midwives who gather in Prague for the 30th ICM Congress.

Over the next three years we are committed to contributing to an exceptional and unforgettable Congress. So start preparing for Prague and see you in 2014!

Věra Vránová, ČKPA President

Welcome from the Lord Mayor of Prague

Dear Midwives,

Bohuslav Svoboda

I am delighted that ICM will hold its 30th Triennial Congress in the City of Prague. Not only is Prague one of the most beautiful cities in the world but it is also a safe and friendly location for midwives.

The City will provide a stimulating and inspiring setting for your international Congress that is recognised for its excellent scientific programme, which addresses the challenges facing the world of midwifery and the care of mothers and their new-borns. I am pleased that you also will have time for social networking and for enjoying the sights and scenery of Prague.

I hope to be able to meet some of you during your visit and to personally welcome you to our city. I am sure that the congress will be a great success and that you take home fond memories of Prague.

Bohuslav Svoboda
Mayor of the City of Prague

Message from the minister of health

Dear Midwives,

Leoš Heger

Czech health care can justly be proud of the established system of care for pregnant women and newborns. Thanks to long-term efforts to improve the quality of perinatal care, including care for pregnant women, mothers and newborns, and thanks to the interdisciplinary cooperation of gynaecologists, obstetricians, neonatologists, paediatricians, geneticists, midwives and paediatric nurses, the Czech Republic attains one of the best results worldwide in the field of care for the newborn.

I would like to point out, however, and repeated suggestions from mothers and midwives are the proof, that an increasing number of women, for whatever reason, do not consider giving birth in a health care facility to be the optimal variant for themselves.

I regard the establishment of good relations and communication at the factual and professional level as very important and crucial. I am glad that also thanks to the ICM Prague 2014 Congress we can draw on new experience and knowledge about the roles of midwives in perinatal care.

Dear and esteemed midwives, I would like to wish that this gathering be of benefit to your immensely important work and of benefit to your patients as well.
In Prague on 1 November 2012

Leoš Heger MD
Minister of Health of the Czech Republic

ICM 30th triennial congress is supported by

Ing. Petr Bratský
Senator
Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic
Dr. Leoš Heger
Minister of Health of the Czech Republic
Dr. Bohuslav Svoboda
Mayor of the City of Prague
Ing. David Vodrážka
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of the Czech Republic
and Mayor of district of Prague 13