3. International Code

The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and subsequent WHA resolutions represent a unique example of international effort to control transnational and local company marketing activities. New challenges are arising due to globalisation, for example, marketing through the internet. Nowadays, implementation of the Code is crucial in preventing spillover effects from programs to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

I. Making the Code Work - Annelies Allain, IBFAN/ICDC Penang,
    Facilitator

This workshop provided an overview of Code implementation worldwide, the lessons learnt from country experiences, constraints faced in introducing national measures and future strategies. Speakers were  Yeong Joo Kean (IBFAN/ICDC) Thomas Koenig (AGB), Paloma Lerma (IBFAN Mexico) & Dr Carla Jesuina Quintao (MoH, East Timor)

II. Naughty Nestlè, Wicked Wyeth - Yeong Joo Kean, IBFAN/ICDC Penang,
     Facilitator

Are companies complying with the Code? How can we check? IBFAN-ICDC shared its experience in monitoring Code compliance. The newly launched Standard IBFAN Monitoring protocols was presented. Speakers were Annelies Allain and Joo Kean Yeong of IBFAN/ICDC.

III. The New Frontiers -  Dr. Raj Anand, ACASH/IBFAN/WABA,  India,
       Facilitator

New challenges of the 21^st century, globalisation, bio- and information

technology, privatisation of health care and the HIV/Aids pandemic, pose new

obstacles for the breastfeeding movement and the Code. What is the social

responsibility of the global corporate players? What is the new role of the

Code?  How can citizens take action in the face of powerful multinational

companies? This workshop explored these issues. The speaker was Annelies

Allain (IBFAN/ICDC).

IV.  No Free Lunch: The Ethics of Sponsorship - David Clark, UNICEF New
       York, Facilitator

This session dealt with the tricky issue of sponsorship: 

• When is it all right and when is it not? Can we accept funding from companies that make food for young children? Products that claim to facilitate breastfeeding? 

• What can be done to raise awareness of health professionals and their
  associations of the impact of their acceptance of sponsorship for such things as conferences and research from the baby food industry?

Speakers were Annelies Allain (IBFAN/ICDC) , Dr Chwang Leh Chii (Chinese Women Consumers Association, Taiwan), and  Dr Nigel Rollins (University of Natal).

15. Information, Education, Communication/ IT

I. How to Develop Effective Health Communication Materials - David
    Curtis, Healthlink Worldwide UK, and Dr. Rob Vincent, Exchange               
    Programme, UK, Facilitators

This session was an active participatory workshop that drew on participants' experience in developing resources. It did not follow the format of a traditional presentation. The session looked at the particular problems and challenges faced in the process of developing resources and offered an introduction to the QUEST methodology - a hands-on approach to material development. The group shared ideas and experience and together built an outline of the common challenges experienced in producing resources.

II. People's Media and Breastfeeding Arts - Dr. Rob Vincent, Exchange      
     Programme, UK, Facilitator  

A workshop combining the skills of mobilising popular media such as pop singers (eg. Madagascar) and local songs and lullabies in breastfeeding promotion, and a slide presentation on "Breastfeeding in the Arts" featuring artists of all centuries from the Egyptians to portraits of Holy Mary. Participants were invited to share other examples of how they have successfully utilised alternative media strategies (eg. theatre, songs) and breastfeeding art in their advocacy work.

• A pop-singer as a breastfeeding ambassador: an innovative approach in Madagascar - Dr. Agnes B. Guyon, LINKAGES-AED, Ethiopia

• Nurture baby's natural process of learning through lullabies while breastfeeding  - Amara Peeris, Sarvodaya Women's Movement,  Sri Lanka

• Breastfeeding in the arts - Anne-Marie Kern, IBCLC Austria

III. Using Information Technology in Breastfeeding Promotion - Dr. Rob Vincent, Exchange Programme, UK, Facilitator

This workshop helped participants feel more comfortable working with information technology as part of their day-to-day networking on breastfeeding promotion and advocacy. It also looked at a more creative use of websites and other e-communications to enhance networking nationally and across the globe and provided information on how to set up information resources (such as e-groups and websites) for countries without. 

IV. Props-Making and Acting, the Pantomime Mums - Ines Fernandez,
       ARUGAAN, Philippines, Facilitator

Learn the art of advocacy through a new means of expression and practice your performance skills. This workshop will provide a lesson about how to use props, make-up, music and motion to communicate invaluable messages.