Friends, I displayed a bit of cultural insensitivity in using the AA terminology, but thankfully several of you explained the term. My apologies. But in the process, another important issue was raised. As an international credential, everything is so complicated. Language requirements, teaching methods, certification vs. licensing laws, educational systems, etc. Trying to standardize the world would be an impossible task. It is difficult for American IBCLCs to look at the world of lactation internationally. The vast majority of IBCLCs are American, Canadian, or Australian. Many of our colleagues outside the US believe that ILCA is essentially an American organization. That issue is being addressed (I'm co-chair of the task force.) But in the meantime, those of you outside the US need to take some responsibility too. Don't just complain about the way things are, be specific about how IBLCE and ILCA can improve your professional standing. If it is financially impossible to join as an individual, form an affiliate and join that way. It is less expensive, and you get a copy of the JHL too. The IBLCE has country coordinators for each country in which there are a significant number of IBCLCs, and regional offices which cover countries with just a few. Perhaps they should be involved in making suggestions on how to improve and make the system more fair. I believe there can be realistic, valid training programs in almost all countries, just as almost all countries have been able to establish at least rudimentary primary education systems, high schools, and even colleges and medical schools. The American way to discern the number of hours required isn't necessarily the only way. The issue of a mentorship, or practical experience, though, is a challenging one. To my knowledge, all health care professionals require this as part of their training. Brainstorming this issue will help. But we may in the end, also have to recognize that because our profession is only 20 years old, it is simply not developed enough to expand as quickly as some might wish. In the meantime, even another issue was raised, something else that concerned me while working at IBLCE. That was the issue of marketing, something I believe both IBLCE and ILCA should be deeply involved in. There are many opportunities to educate hospital administrators and nursing organizations through their professional associations on our credential, the differences between it and the other breastfeeding 'credentials' and why they should care (i.e., patient satisfaction, liability, etc.) But without the staff and funds to do it, it won't happen. IBCLCs and those who hope to become IBCLCs must join ILCA. I don't know the exact numbers, but only about 20% of IBCLCs are ILCA members. Non-IBCLCs can join too. Let them know what you want, what your concerns are. Offer suggestions for how to change things. Volunteer to help. Re IBLCE: Don't gripe about the cost of the exam. Other professions our size pay twice the fees. The exam fees support about 90% of IBLCE's operation al expenses (the other 10% coming from CERP fees.) With that kind of money, you really can't expect much other than producing an exam. We are the second generation of the trailblazers, and it worries me greatly that these critical issues for our profession are not being adequately addressed. I am so glad to see that this topic has generated some interest. We need to get moving, because if you remain stagnant, you die. This is a business. It's time we started treating it that way. Barbara *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html