The 8th WHO, ICN, ICM "Triad Meeting”
- Update: As a result of the meeting, this statement was produced.
The World Health Organization (WHO), the International Council of Nurses (ICN), and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) are holding the 8th “Triad Meeting” from the 16th - 18th of June.
Every two years, representatives from WHO, ICM and ICN come together to discuss priorities for advancing nursing and midwifery towards common goals at this important global forum. This year the meeting is a virtual event, with one two-hour session held “live” twice a day on each of the three days, to allow equal opportunity for participation around the globe.
COVID19 has put the global spotlight on midwives and nurses, and the critical role they play. The Year of the Nurse and the Midwife is the opportunity to use their voices to strengthen the call for more responsive, resilient health systems as the foundation of Health For All.
- Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General
The main themes for the Triad Meeting this year are COVID-19, evidence-informed policy dialogue to advance nursing and midwifery, and the global strategic directions for nursing and midwifery.
Meeting participants include government nursing and midwifery leaders, and representatives from national nursing associations, and national midwifery associations along with stakeholders from nursing and midwifery education, regulation, Nursing Now, and other professional organisations. Over the course of three days, the participants debate key issues and opportunities for strengthening nursing and midwifery workforces to meet current and future health challenges.
We need to ensure nurses' safety both from violence and from Covid-19 and to ensure their psychological and physical wellbeing. The world needs every single nurse.
- Annette Kennedy, ICN President
The agenda covered the three themes as outlined below:
Day One - 16th of June: The nursing and midwifery workforces as essential to COVID-19 preparedness and response
Day Two - 17th of June: The role of nursing and midwifery leadership in facilitating evidence-informed policy dialogue
Day Three - 18th of June: Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery (SDNM) & Triad Statement
This was one of the many moving, heartbreaking and inspiring talks at #Triad2020. Nurses and Midwives the world over are on the frontline of #COVID19 - coping with mental health issues, long working hours, stigma, lack of paid sick leave, and lack of PPE.
- Dr Caroline Homer
Michele Rumsey from the WHO CC UTS attended all sessions of the Triad 2020 Meeting. She noted significant attendance, 500 a day with strong participation from colleagues throughout the Pacific region. The discussions took place in a truly unique collaborative atmosphere and highlighted the importance of education, leadership and job safety/security, in line with the findings of WHO State of Worlds Nursing Report 2020 and discussion on WHO beyond 2020 strategic development for nursing and midwifery.
Clear mandate that matches SOWN report’s WHO strategic direction for nursing and midwifery with focus on education, leadership and job safety / security.
- Michele Rumsey, Director of WHO CC UTS
I think, as elizabeth said earlier, we didnt know quite what we were getting into. I think it's been amazing, and I appreciate the fact that this virtual opporunity to meet has meant many more midwives and nurses have been able to participate. That can only be to the good of both our professions, its important that more people have their say, and that we hear and listen to what people have to say.
