Midwifery and Sustainable Development Goals - an Erasmus+ BIP

The Department of Midwifery participated in its first Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) named, Midwifery Matters: The Role of Midwifery to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

Led by UCLL in Belgium, the programme brought together midwifery students and academics from four countries: Finland, Switzerland, Belgium and Malta. Representing the Department of Midwifery were eight Master’s in Midwifery students together with Dr Rita Pace Parascandalo. Participants engaged in both a virtual learning component and an intensive five-day in-person programme at UCLL.

The initiative focused on six of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), Climate Action (SDG 13) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

Through innovative, student-centred learning approaches, participants collaborated across borders to explore how midwifery can contribute to achieving these global goals. Activities included challenge-based learning, keynote sessions, facilitated workshops, field visits, and group projects. Students also explored creative methods such as arts-based research, empathy mapping, and Ikigai.

Working in international teams, students developed and presented projects linking the SDGs to midwifery practice and maternity care. Reflections shared by participants highlighted a deeper appreciation of the connection between sustainable development and midwifery, as well as how these principles can enhance care for women, babies, and families.

This enriching experience created a dynamic international learning environment where students and academics exchanged perspectives, compared national contexts, and strengthened their understanding of the vital role of midwifery in shaping a more just, healthier, and more sustainable future.

Nicole Vassallo and Nicole Degabriele, two MSc in Midwifery students who participated in the BIP, shared their reflections and said, "During our Blended Intensive Programme in Leuven, Belgium, our project focused on Sustainable Development Goal 3 as the central theme, exploring how to promote health and well-being through maternity care. Using tools such as arts-based research, empathy mapping, and Ikigai, we developed a deeper understanding of both our role and the experiences of mothers. Arts-based research allowed us to creatively represent the continuum of care, highlighting the emotional and physical support midwives provide. Through empathy mapping, we explored the thoughts, feelings, and needs of pregnant and postnatal women, recognising the importance of reassurance, education, and compassionate care. Ikigai helped us reflect on our personal motivations, showing how our passion for caring for women aligns with what the world needs and the professional role of a midwife. Additionally, the city game in Leuven helped us build teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills while exploring the community, all of which are essential in healthcare settings. We also learned that while we focused on SDG 3, all Sustainable Development Goals are interconnected and play a vital role in midwifery care, as factors such as education, equality, and living conditions directly impact maternal and newborn health. Altogether, these activities demonstrated that midwifery is not only about clinical knowledge but also about empathy, collaboration, and purpose, all of which contribute to achieving SDG 3 by supporting safe pregnancies, healthy families, and the overall well-being of families."