The Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM) collaborates with midwifery associations around the world to strengthen the profession.
A strong midwifery association is able to provide professional support to its members, provide continuing learning opportunities for in-service midwives, contribute to national policy development, and support relationships with other healthcare professions. It acts as a visible entity and a focal point for the profession, providing members with a sense of belonging and camaraderie. Associations represent the interests of the profession both legal and regulatory, and provide leadership for policy change, enabling quality assurance and standard setting and providing the essential guidelines, policies and protocols for practice.
To support stronger associations, CAM collaborates on mutual capacity building initiatives with its midwifery association partners. Based on the priorities identified by the associations themselves, CAM provides an array of supports including:
- Workshops in leadership and governance, policy development and advocacy, strategic planning and resource mobilization
- Advisory support for awareness campaigns, the development of advocacy materials, and special events
- Peer-to-Peer twinning
- Direct financial support for organizational development