Friday, September 21, 2007

On the importance of fathers

Got this email from Ines Fernandez, Executive Director of Arugaan and founder of Save Babies Coalition. Ines is one of the foremost breastfeeding advocates in the Philippines. WABA awarded her earlier this year -- but that's for another post. Here's Ines' email:

Happier to share with you that the Father Support Summit "Fathering the Mother" will be held on Sept. 23 on Sunday at 1-4pm at the University of the Philippines Small Scale Industry - UPSSI in Diliman, Quezon City.

Kindly join us and actively participate. We need your sharing of your insights and experiences for the next new fathers to be. Help them in their fathering journey with your stories as map guide. Make them successful with their breastfeeding mothers and babies. Let us no longer contribute to the hefty 22 billion milk sales yearly and not be part of the guilt for seeing Filipino babies asthmatic as a consequence of not breastfeeding.

Please invite your friends: male or female, youth,young professionals, single or married, young at heart who still wish to have babies, age does not matter, after all they have women in the family who will be the nurturers of the next generation. Men support is very crucial for prepared participatory birthing and breastfeeding.

It is a free interactive forum " Fathers Support Summit" come September 23.

Hopeful and thankful to see you, your family and friends.

Sincerely, Innes

below is the invitation and program.

We would like to invite you to participate with us at the forthcoming Father Support Summit titled " Fathering the Mother". It will be an interactive sharing of insights and experiences on the role of men as partners in parenting, understanding pregnancy, involvement in birthing, facilitating successful breastfeeding and nurturing care.

Below is the program:

PM

1:00 -1:15 Registration
1:15-1:30 Welcome and Introduction
1:30-1:45 Sharing from an active partner in birthing
1:45-2:00 Video show
2:00-2:15 Overcoming Difficulties in the world of pregnancy and birthing
2:15-2: 30 Facing the challlenges in infant feeding choices
2:30-2:45 Consequences of choices: life stories
2:45-3:00 Shared Parenting: Ups and Down and Way Forward
3:00-3:15 Snacks
3:15-3:30 Open Forum
3:30-3:45 Suggestions: Action Plan
3:45-4:00 Summit Series for October: "Mothering the Father"

What: " Fathering the Mother" Father Support Summit 1

When: September 23, 2007 Sunday 1-4 PM

Venue location: Virata Hall, 1st Floor Theater, University of the Philippines Small Scale Industry -UPSSI

(turn left road as you enter UP before the Oblation (statue) UPSSI is beside Bonifacio Hall/Solair

This gathering "Father Support Summit" is a free interactive forum. Kindly join us and be an active partner in this new undertaking for new young fathers to be and for those who want to be involved in their fathering role as partners in life.

Looking forward to see you and your spouse, friends and families including young men,wise men, young at heart.

Sincerely,

Ma. Ines Av. Fernandez and Jonathan Adam Roxas
Executive Director Focal Point
Arugaan
Father Support Summit

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