I am delighted to have won the RCM student midwife competition to attend the 34th International Confederation of Midwives Triennial Conference 14-18th June 2026. This is a prime opportunity for a student midwife such as myself to learn about midwifery from all corners of the globe. The theme ‘one million more midwives’ feels apt with midwifery staffing an ever-increasing concern in the UK and Ireland and an issue that my cohort are certainly aware of. The ICM have shed light on the fact that at least one million more midwives are needed worldwide to meet the sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health needs worldwide (SRMNAH). The conference will explore how one million more midwives could save the lives of mothers and newborns as well as improving health outcomes worldwide.
At the conference I will have the privilege of hearing many speakers with years of experience, a wealth of knowledge and a vision to improve and transform health systems. At the end of my second year of my midwifery degree, I have been a part of many beautiful moments with women and their families and been in awe of the midwives I have seen delivering exemplary care in what is ‘just another day at work’. At the same time, as students we see moments of heartbreak, areas for significant improvement and the demands of the job. With a special interest in humanitarian aid and global inequalities in midwifery care still evident I am hoping to leave this conference with the same passion for midwifery, but a greater insight into the global direction of midwifery in terms of reducing inequality, sustainability for staff and more knowledge of midwifery led care across the globe.
As I pack and prepare for my journey to Lisbon, I have found myself thinking it is a wonderful thing to be part of a profession in which midwives, lecturers, doctors, researchers, authors and more are willing to travel thousands of miles to share their ideas and hear the ideas of others. This in itself upholds the philosophy of midwifery – it is more than a job and more than an individual. This greatly inspires me with hope for the future of the profession I will be entering in a short time. During the conference I will definitely be found moving hurriedly with my laptop, notebooks and pens to hand to attend as much as I can. The programme is jam packed full of fantastic keynote sessions, workshops, panels, discussions and more.
Again, I would like to thank the RCM for this opportunity and all of the staff who have helped with planning and preparing. I look forward to meeting everyone and to submitting my post conference reflection blog.
