Improved midwifery care as important psychological factor for positive demography

Objective 1 was to strengthen the civil society in partnering countries. Midwifery associations represent and work for the benefit of a very important profession – midwives whose work directly inf...

Objective 1 was to strengthen the civil society in partnering countries. Midwifery associations represent and work for the benefit of a very important profession – midwives whose work directly influences women’s physical and mental health and wellbeing. It is crucial that associations have knowledge and skills to represent them and make them heard. Involved associations needed to gain experience in international cooperation, establish sustainable working contacts and develop new ways for upskilling pathways in adult education. Objective 2 was to increase take-up of adult education and promote inclusive work-based learning. Midwife’s professional impact on maternal health and national demography clearly demonstrates the scope of continuous education midwives need to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills to provide midwifery care in line with the newest developments, methodologies and practices. Developments in public health are ongoing-salutogenic approach replaces pathogenic ones. LILAC seeked new informal work-based learning ways, and aimed to trigger the desire to continuously learn new knowledge and acquire new skills in various, incl. international, environments.

LILAC had 4 main activities: Project management - ensured elaboration of all project documents, planning and implementation of all activities in the planed scope, achievement of planned quantitative and qualitative results, it also managed partners’ contributions to project in the agreed scope, reporting, evaluation, communication and result dissemination. Experience exchange visit to Estonia - was a bilateral activity aimed at mutual experience exchange and learning from one another. It aims at establishing also closer relationship and networking among LV and EE midwives. Activity consisted of 3- day visit of 8 Latvian midwives to EE. Experience exchange and learning visit to Norway -was a joint activity of 3 midwives' associations aimed at mutual experience exchange and learning from one another and establishing closer relationship and networking among LV, EE and NO midwives. Activity consisted of 4- day visit of 6 LV and 6 EE midwives to NO. 1st International Midwifery conference in Latvia - was organization and implementation of the International conference: logistics, program, participants and speakers, publicity.

LILAC outputs are as follows: organized 3-day study visit of 8 Latvian midwives to EE; organized 4-day experience exchange and study visit of 6 Latvian and 6 Estonian midwives to NO; organized 2-day 1st International Conference for Midwives in LV; more than 10 knowledge exchange and networking activities among midwives from three countries; networking and experience exchange among 3 midwife associations; conference materials (agenda, presentations, abstracts, photos, evaluation summary); publicity and result dissemination actions (press releases, social media coverage, etc.) Increased cross-border professional networking among Latvian, Estonian, and Norwegian midwives