MUNA Conference 2026 — Our Voice.
Our Value.
Our Future.

Why this moment matters

This conference comes at a pivotal time for nursing, midwifery and global health. Health systems are changing, both in the UK and Malawi. In the NHS, there is a clear shift towards prevention, neighbourhood health and care closer to home. In Malawi, the need to strengthen services, support the workforce and improve access to safe, quality care remains urgent.

For MUNA, this moment matters. Nurses and midwives see the realities of care every day. We understand patients, families, communities and systems. We know where the pressures are, where the gaps are, and where change is needed. Our experience must not sit quietly in the background; it must inform leadership, policy, education, innovation and practice.

Who's in the room

We are honoured that this conference will bring together a formidable group of senior leaders, including Dame Sue Tranka DBE, Chief Nursing Officer for Wales, Chief Nurses from the UK and Malawi, senior NHS leaders, medical consultants, academics, regulators, diaspora leaders, students and global health partners. Their presence reflects the importance of this agenda and the growing recognition of the contribution that nurses, midwives and diaspora professionals make to health and care.

This conference will create space for us to come together — to speak, listen, learn, challenge and lead. It will recognise the full breadth of nursing and midwifery contribution, from clinical practice and advanced clinical practice, to education, research, leadership, public health, advocacy, digital innovation, system improvement and global health partnership.

Equity, partnership and the book launch

Equity will also be central to our discussions. We will explore health inequalities, workforce wellbeing, belonging, maternal and women's health, diabetes and long-term conditions, and the experiences of global majority and internationally educated professionals. These conversations are important because safe and effective care cannot be separated from fairness, inclusion and the wellbeing of the workforce delivering it.

As Malawian and diaspora health professionals, we also have a unique role to play. We connect countries, cultures, systems and people. We bring lived experience, professional expertise and a deep commitment to improving health outcomes in both the UK and Malawi. Through MUNA, we want to strengthen those connections and turn them into meaningful action.

The objectives of this conference are to celebrate the contribution of nurses, midwives and diaspora healthcare professionals; strengthen leadership across clinical practice, advanced practice, education, research and innovation; promote equity, belonging and workforce wellbeing; support UK–Malawi and global health partnerships; showcase practical solutions that can improve care; and create opportunities for students and future nurses to learn, connect and be inspired.

Delegates will hear from inspiring national and international leaders, take part in interactive workshops, engage with research and innovation, connect with diaspora associations and contribute to future priorities for MUNA and its partners. The day will be practical, reflective and forward-looking.

We will also mark a very special milestone with the official launch of the MUNA book. This book celebrates the stories, journeys and legacy of Malawian nurses and midwives. It is a reminder that our stories matter, our contribution matters, and our legacy must be visible for future generations.