International Affiliates

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a federation of more than 130 national nurses associations (NNAs), representing the more than 13 million nurses worldwide.  Founded in 1899, ICN is the world’s first and widest reaching international organisation for health professionals.

Operated by nurses and leading nurses internationally, ICN works to ensure quality nursing care for all, sound health policies globally, the advancement of nursing knowledge, and the presence worldwide of a respected nursing profession and a competent and satisfied nursing workforce.

For more information visit www.icn.ch

Nurses and midwives form the majority of health care workers across all health care settings and particularly in the primary health care context. In rural settings and in developing countries the nurse or midwife may be the only local source of health care.

The Commonwealth Nurses Federation (CNF), founded in 1973, is a federation of national nursing and midwifery associations in Commonwealth countries.

The CNF has regular and constructive contact with major Commonwealth bodies in London including the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Foundation.  The CNF is an accredited Commonwealth body, which allows involvement in annual Health Ministers’ meetings, the biennial Commonwealth Peoples Forum held prior to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting and other Commonwealth meetings such as the civil society consultations.

Public Services International brings together more than 20 million workers, represented by 650 unions in 148 countries and territories. We are a global trade union federation dedicated to promoting quality public services in every part of the world. Our members, two-thirds of whom are women, work in social services, health care, municipal and community services, central government, and public utilities such as water and electricity.

ICM has grown from a small group of midwifery associations in Western Europe to a major confederation of more than 100 autonomous member associations from countries in every part of the globe. Criteria for membership demand that each association is headed by midwives who determine their own governance and activities, and are committed to the mission, vision and aims of ICM.