BREASTFEEDING MEDICINE Volume 9, Number 2, 2014 ª Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2014.9995
President’s Corner
ABM: Worldwide Rather Than International Wendy E. Brodribb
T
he purpose of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) from its inception was to be a worldwide organization of physicians dedicated to the promotion, protection, and support of breastfeeding and human lactation. The terminology used in this sentence is important because a worldwide organization (extending throughout the world) is different from an international (between nations) organization, with connotations of competition between countries and defined by differences rather than commonalities. In some instances ‘‘international’’ has almost a colonial understanding, with a headquarters in one country and satellite operations in others. Although some people may view ABM as an international rather than a worldwide organization (our management company is based in the United States, our Annual Meeting is usually held there, and the majority of our members reside there), the intent is for our activities to have input from and to be applicable for members wherever they reside and to be representative of the membership as a whole. At the end of 2013 we had members from 49 countries ranging from Argentina to the United Kingdom and Japan to South Africa. Membership from countries outside the United States has risen from approximately 21% of the total membership in 2003 to nearly 31% in 2013. Membership dues are tiered (based on World Bank information) so that membership becomes more affordable for physicians worldwide. Over the decade membership in some countries has reached a critical mass so that ongoing growth is assured. However, 30 countries only have one or two members each. These members, in particular, need our enthusiasm and inspiration to assist them in promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding and lactation in their country and in encouraging other physicians with an interest in breastfeeding/lactation to become ABM members. Working with a group of likeminded people is so much easier than working in isolation. Although the Annual Meeting has usually been held in the United States, members in other areas of the world are developing opportunities to meet face-to-face. There have been
four very successful regional meetings held in Europe as well as an annual conference for physicians in Japan. Last year an informal meeting of members and other interested physicians from the Asia-Pacific region and further afield was also held in Australia. Our aim in the strategic plan is to hold an Annual Meeting outside North America—one purpose being to be able to include all members. Our Board has worldwide representation, and Arthur Eidelman, the Past President, and myself live outside the United States—in Israel and Australia, respectively. Committees also encourage involvement of members globally so that the views and opinions from the whole membership can be considered. This is particularly important for the Protocol Committee, which endeavors to take a world view when writing evidence-based recommendations, especially taking into consideration the differences in how breastfeeding mothers and infants are cared for and the use of appropriate language. Being a worldwide organization also leads to an appreciation of the diversity of health systems, views, and practices that people work with throughout the world. We can learn from each other, about overcoming difficulties or developing new ways of working. The listserv is an excellent vehicle for sharing ideas and developing professional and personal relationships. It has no borders, with members contributing information and suggestions from across multiple countries and time zones. At this point, however, the listserv is only in English, and we have a significant proportion of our members whose first language is not English. This is one reason why many of our protocols are translated into languages other than English, including Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and German. We look forward in the coming years to continue to promote ABM as a worldwide organization. We value your assistance in accomplishing this aim.
109
—Wendy E. Brodribb, MBBS, PhD, FABM President, Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
President’s Corner
ABM: Worldwide Rather Than International Wendy E. Brodribb
T
he purpose of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) from its inception was to be a worldwide organization of physicians dedicated to the promotion, protection, and support of breastfeeding and human lactation. The terminology used in this sentence is important because a worldwide organization (extending throughout the world) is different from an international (between nations) organization, with connotations of competition between countries and defined by differences rather than commonalities. In some instances ‘‘international’’ has almost a colonial understanding, with a headquarters in one country and satellite operations in others. Although some people may view ABM as an international rather than a worldwide organization (our management company is based in the United States, our Annual Meeting is usually held there, and the majority of our members reside there), the intent is for our activities to have input from and to be applicable for members wherever they reside and to be representative of the membership as a whole. At the end of 2013 we had members from 49 countries ranging from Argentina to the United Kingdom and Japan to South Africa. Membership from countries outside the United States has risen from approximately 21% of the total membership in 2003 to nearly 31% in 2013. Membership dues are tiered (based on World Bank information) so that membership becomes more affordable for physicians worldwide. Over the decade membership in some countries has reached a critical mass so that ongoing growth is assured. However, 30 countries only have one or two members each. These members, in particular, need our enthusiasm and inspiration to assist them in promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding and lactation in their country and in encouraging other physicians with an interest in breastfeeding/lactation to become ABM members. Working with a group of likeminded people is so much easier than working in isolation. Although the Annual Meeting has usually been held in the United States, members in other areas of the world are developing opportunities to meet face-to-face. There have been
four very successful regional meetings held in Europe as well as an annual conference for physicians in Japan. Last year an informal meeting of members and other interested physicians from the Asia-Pacific region and further afield was also held in Australia. Our aim in the strategic plan is to hold an Annual Meeting outside North America—one purpose being to be able to include all members. Our Board has worldwide representation, and Arthur Eidelman, the Past President, and myself live outside the United States—in Israel and Australia, respectively. Committees also encourage involvement of members globally so that the views and opinions from the whole membership can be considered. This is particularly important for the Protocol Committee, which endeavors to take a world view when writing evidence-based recommendations, especially taking into consideration the differences in how breastfeeding mothers and infants are cared for and the use of appropriate language. Being a worldwide organization also leads to an appreciation of the diversity of health systems, views, and practices that people work with throughout the world. We can learn from each other, about overcoming difficulties or developing new ways of working. The listserv is an excellent vehicle for sharing ideas and developing professional and personal relationships. It has no borders, with members contributing information and suggestions from across multiple countries and time zones. At this point, however, the listserv is only in English, and we have a significant proportion of our members whose first language is not English. This is one reason why many of our protocols are translated into languages other than English, including Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and German. We look forward in the coming years to continue to promote ABM as a worldwide organization. We value your assistance in accomplishing this aim.
109
—Wendy E. Brodribb, MBBS, PhD, FABM President, Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
