Dear Midwifery Students and Esteemed Colleagues,

We are delighted to invite you to the 11th International and 15th National Midwifery Students Congress, which will be organized by the Midwifery Department of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Kocaeli University in Kocaeli, Turkey, from May 22 to May 24, 2025.

The provision and sustainability of lifelong health services, taking into account women´s physical, mental, and social changes throughout all stages of life, and their right to make informed reproductive decisions, is of vital importance. Access to quality reproductive health services for everyone, preventing issues such as violence against women and obesity, enhancing leadership, entrepreneurship, and workforce participation, involving women and newborns in research agendas, financing research on women- and newborn-specific diseases, and adopting holistic approaches to understand the natural processes of women’s lives—such as pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and aging—are essential to improving health services. These services are also included in the "Sustainable Development" goals.

To improve services for women, mothers, and newborns, we must act now, as tomorrow may be too late. We need to work together to strengthen midwifery worldwide, thereby improving care for women and their babies.

As representatives of the midwifery profession, we aim to raise awareness of our key role in improving and developing maternal and newborn services with the theme "Tomorrow Is Too Late: It’s Time to Improve Midwifery Services and Strengthen Midwifery." At this year´s midwifery student congress, we wish to bring together national and international midwifery students, educators, and professionals to create an inspiring and enriching academic experience. The congress will feature various courses, creative workshops, lectures, and panels led by respected professionals in the field. Additionally, we will provide valuable opportunities for skill development, solidarity, networking, and collaboration with peers, mentors, and other healthcare professionals. We believe that engaging sessions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities with leaders and students will help strengthen midwifery and shape its future. Discussions on trends, innovations, and key issues in midwifery education and practice will further enrich the experience.

We are also working hard, along with our team, to ensure that you have a memorable experience with social programs that showcase the unique historical and natural beauty of Kocaeli, our joyful city, and our happy university.

We sincerely believe that your participation will greatly contribute to the success of our congress, and we eagerly hope to see you at the event. It would be an honor to host you and have you with us. We look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely,

Congress Co-Presidents

Prof. Ayla ERGİN

Student Midwife Yaren DURMUŞ