Here is some information about the GLOPAR project which a few of you have been asking about. Please call or write to me if you want more information than what I post here. NABA (National Alliance for Breastfeeding Advocacy) is coordinating the GLOPAR project in the US. GLOPAR stands for Global Participatory Action Research, which is investigating the state of breastfeeding worldwide. WABA (World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action) created GLOPAR in 1993 as a part of a long term effort to mobilize groups and individuals around the world to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding. GLOPAR is a rapid assessment of the state of breastfeeding in a community. A community can be a hospital, region, county, state, public health district, etc. A set of questions is being developed by a committee to be used to provide a snapshot of what is actually happening with breastfeeding in the US (non-commercial survey!!). The actual asking of the questions is designed and hoped to stimulate change. The snapshot of breastfeeding will act as a needs assessment for developing a national strategic plan for breastfeeding reform. A US national report card on breastfeeding has been developed by NABA and is available for use as a mobilizing tool. It can be photocopied, used for handouts, overheads or posted where you work. Such a report card was suggested by WABA to be used in conjunction with the asking of questions. If you want a copy of the report card drop me a note. Last July, WABA held a 2 day workshop to train partners in the aims of GLOPAR so that they may develop their respective national programs and train "co-researchers" to disperse and ask the prepared set of questions. Karin Cadwell from NABA, Edith White from the Center for Breastfeeding Management Training, and Cathy Liles from La Leche League represented the US. A training program for those interested in becoming co-researchers on this project is being held in Orlando, Florida, January 9-11, 1996 immediately preceeding the International Conference on the Art and Science of Breastfeeding and Human Lactation. Participants do not need a research background. The training is free but participants are responsible for their own expenses. Anyone is welcome, but we are especially looking for representatives of breastfeeding task forces, coalitions, and groups. Information gathered from this project will be reported to WABA and will form the basis of an action strategy for the US. NABA is facilitating a Breastfeeding Leadership Roundtable directly following the GLOPAR training. This meeting includes invited delegates from national organizations working on breastfeeding as well as government agencies, leaders in the breastfeeding field, etc. The Roundtable has as its goal to create action strategies to fulfill the intent of the Innocenti Declaration. For information on GLOPAR registration or conference materials contact: Karin Cadwell 8 Jan Sebastian Way, #13 Sandwich, MA 02563 Call or write to me if you need more information, want questions answered about NABA, or need a real person on the other end of the line! Marsha Walker 254 Conant Rd Weston, MA 02193 617 893-3553 Fax 617 893-8608