Call for Abstracts for Global Sessions

Deadline extension: The deadline has been extended to March 15, 2007

La Leche League International Conference

“Celebrating the Power of Breastfeeding”

20-23 July 2007       Hilton Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

The 20th international conference of La Leche League International (LLLI) will celebrate the power of breastfeeding and the organization’s 50th Anniversary. The LLLI Founders believed in the power of breastfeeding and felt that if women had support and practical information they would be able to breastfeed their babies. In 1956, the Founders set in motion a global effort for the establishment of an environment where every mother receives the support she needs to practice the womanly art of breastfeeding. This continuing effort is strengthened by the individual work of thousands of women and the activities of international agencies, governments and non-governmental organizations.

LLLI invites program managers, project directors, non-governmental organizations, researchers, LLL Leaders, Peer Counselors, and health professionals to submit an abstract for a Global Session that demonstrates and describes an environment of support for breastfeeding. The Innocenti Declaration 2005 provides the framework for submitting an abstract. This important international document can be viewed at waba.org.my

There are 14 Global Sessions varying between 90 or 120 minutes with room seating capacity of 50-80 persons. The session format can be: one speaker; a panel of 2-3 speakers; roundtable discussions or other. At least 20 minutes of the proposed session format must be interactive.

One issue from the Innocenti Declaration 2005 “Call for Action” will be selected as the session focus:

• Empower women as mothers and providers of breastfeeding support and information to other women
• Revitalize and expand the Baby-Friendly Initiative
• Implement the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes
• Adopt maternity protection legislation that facilitates six months of exclusive breastfeeding with attention to the non-formal sector
• Establish monitoring systems for appropriate infant and young child feeding practices
• Prioritize breastfeeding at the non-governmental level through cooperation and mutual support
• Ensure the health and nutritional status of women throughout all stages of life

The abstracts will be reviewed by a panel of experts and all applicants will be notified by April 16, 2007. Selection preference will be given to abstracts that best demonstrate progress toward an environment of support for the breastfeeding woman, within the chosen Innocenti Declaration 2005 issue.

Each of the 14 chosen abstracts will receive one Conference Registration (3 full days, 3 luncheons and a Gala Dinner)

Help us spread the word! Share this information with your colleagues, friends and others!

For more information on the LLLI 50th Anniversary International Conference “Celebrating the Power of Breastfeeding”, please visit the conference website

**** Abstracts must be received by March 15, 2007 ****

Submit your abstract online