The National Organization of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi (NONM) successfully hosted a regional training on Event Planning and Management from April 01 to 04, 2025, at Sigelege Hotel in Salima.

The workshop was facilitated by the Norwegian Nurses’ Organisation (NNO) and brought together nursing leaders from across the region to strengthen organizational capacity and enhance the effectiveness of professional events. Participants included representatives from NONM and sister National Nurses Associations (NNAs) from Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Specifically, the Rwanda Nurses and Midwives Union, the Tanzania Nurses Association (TANA), and the Zimbabwe Nurses Association were all represented at the training, creating a vibrant exchange of ideas, experiences, and strategies.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, the President of the Rwanda Nurses and Midwives Union (RNMU), André Gitembagara, commended the initiative, saying, “This training has equipped us with practical tools and insights that will help us organise impactful events that engage our members and other participants and advance our advocacy work. We are grateful to NONM for the wonderful organization of the event and NNO for the generous financial support.”

The interactive training sessions covered a range of topics including budgeting, stakeholder engagement, communications, risk management, and post-event evaluation. Facilitators from NNO brought international perspectives and best practices to the sessions, while participants shared regional challenges and innovations.

NONM’s Executive Director, Chifundo Colleta Zimba, expressed appreciation for the strong partnerships that made the training possible. “This collaboration with NNO and our sister NNAs demonstrates the power of regional solidarity. By investing in the skills of our staff and members, we are building stronger institutions that can better advocate for nurses and midwives across Africa,” she said.

The training forms part of ongoing efforts to professionalize and elevate the administrative and strategic functions of nurses’ associations in the region, ensuring they remain responsive and resilient in today’s dynamic health care environment.