United Nations System
Standing Committee on Nutrition

 

Working Group on Capacity Development in Food and Nutrition Agenda

held during the SCN's 34th Session

Chair: Patrick Stover, UNU
Co-Chairs: David Sanders (Univ. of the Western Cape, South Africa), Emorn Wasantwisut (Mahidol University, Thailand)

34th Session Agenda

Capacity Development in Food and Nutrition Working Group Task Force Reports: Past, Present, Future

This report summarizes the past, present and future activities of five designated Task Force sites of the United Nations University Food and Nutrition Programme (UNU-FNP), the African Graduate Students’ Network (AGSNet) and African Nutrition Leadership Programme (ANLP). The global network of task force sites was established as part of the UNU-FNP’s capacity development initiative to strengthen nutrition resources within each world region. Each site focuses on key nutritional issues based on needs assessments respective to each area. The AGSNet and ANLP were established to enhance nutrition-related capacity building, education and networking in Africa.

Asian Capacity Building Initiative: Capacity Strengthening In Nutrition-Asia (CASNA) Summary of Progress 2002-2007
Dr Emorn Wasantwisut

Background: The primary objective of the initiative ‘Capacity Strengthening in Nutrition in Asia or CASNA’ is to accelerate human and social development in the Asian region by improving the nutrition and health of the population. CASNA’s ten-year plan emphasizes ‘institutional’ capacity building to address the priority nutrition problems in Asia. CASNA core areas for training, research and program support include: 1) Double burden of malnutrition with a life-course approach (maternal and child, school children and adolescents, adults and elderly); 2) Food safety; 3) Food and nutrition security; 4) Improvement of traditional foods; and 5) Evaluation of program impact. In addition, CASNA intends to strengthen supportive skill development in the form of regional workshops on leadership, research/program management and technical writing. The Asian Task Force consists of nine leading professionals in Asia.

Activities for the past years: The 2003 CASNA survey of 51 institutions in Asia indicated several priority training needs in the areas of: biochemical analysis of micronutrients and biomarkers in food and biological samples; community-based epidemiology of food, nutrition and health; food quality and safety; nutrition communications, etc. CASNA supported the 2004 symposium on the use of traditional foods at Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), India; in 2005, CASNA, together with UNU, collaborated with WHO/WPRO, WHO/SEARO, UNICEF, INF, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Ministry of Health/Malaysia, to organize the workshop ‘Raising the Profile of Nutrition’ intended to strengthen advocacy capacity and communication strategies towards mobilization of resources for nutrition improvement. Among other examples of institutional collaboration, the Asian Task Force Members were invited to visit the National Institute of Health and Nutrition (NIHN) in Tokyo, Japan in early 2004, followed by a visit to CFTRI, Mysore, India during mid-2005. In November 2005, CASNA provided funding support for two participants (Thailand, Vietnam) to attend the Fourth South East Asian Nutrition Leadership Program (SEA-NLP) in Jakarta, Indonesia. A website has been developed for CASNA (www.casna.net) to maintain information flow among the Task Force members and collaborators.

2006-2007 activities: CASNA, with UNU support, hosted the training course at CFTRI, Mysore, India on ‘Capacity Building in Food Safety in Nutritional Outreach’ during April 3-7, 2006. In addition, CASNA also co-hosted and participated in the Capacity Building International Symposium at CFTRI, Mysore, India during June 23-25, 2006. Two CASNA Institutions, Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Thailand and National Institute of Nutrition, Hanoi, Vietnam, participated in the pilot Workshop and Consultation "National Food and Nutrition Research: Effective Agendas and Improving Institutional and Staff Capacities", supported by the International Nutrition Foundation and the Ellison Medical Foundation. The workshop was held 5-9 February 2007.

The Middle East and North African Nutrition Association (MENANA)
Dr Azza Gohar

Background: The Middle East and North Africa Nutrition Capacity Building Initiative is part of a global initiative spearheaded by the United Nations University Food and Nutrition Programme (UNU-FNP) and the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) for Development of Human and Institutional Capacity Nutrition.

Past Activities: The First Regional Workshop on Nutrition Capacity Development was held in Cairo, Egypt, for two consecutive days, 14-15 July 2004. It was organized, hosted and conducted by the National Nutrition Institute Egypt and the Egyptian Task Force for Nutrition Capacity Building and Development. The workshop was funded and supported by UNU-FNP. Dr. Cutberto Garza, formerly UNU-FNP, facilitated the proposal submission & shared in its organization. IUNS supported the workshop and Dr. Osman Galal, Secretary General of IUNS shared in organizing the workshop and invited country representatives through IUNS Adhering Bodies. The meeting was attended by 33 participants representing 11 countries from the region (Sudan – Kuwait - Lebanon – Oman – Libya – Saudi Arabia – Yemen – Jordan – Palestine – Egypt) and various Egyptian Organizations & Institutes under the patronage of the Egyptian Minister of Health and Population. Bahrain-Iran-Morocco-Tunisia-UAE supported the meeting but the representatives could not attend. IUNS was represented by two members, Dr Osman Galal and Dr Ibrahim El Madfaa. FAO and UNICEF were represented by one member each; the WHO representative did not attend.

As a result of this workshop, the Middle East and North African Nutrition Association (MENANA) was founded, which is a regional Association of Nutrition Societies in the Middle East and North Africa affiliated to IUNS. The general objective of the Association is to promote the advancement of nutritional science and the interest of professional nutritionists in North Africa and the Middle East while respecting the autonomy of all member societies. Another major outcome was the development a 10-year action plan by the workshop participants. The plan was subdivided into 5 core areas (Nutrition Research, Nutrition Training, Nutrition Academic Education & Accreditation, Nutrition Advocacy / Education Communication, Nutrition Networking) and based on a conceptual planning framework developed by Dr Azza Gohar, MENANA coordinator. The plan will be used as a guideline for identifying regional Nutrition Capacity Gaps and needs at different levels followed by selection of suitable strategies and activities to bridge the gaps.

The 2nd Regional Meeting of the MENANA Research Group was planned, organized & hosted by NNI in Cairo on 15-16 Dec, 2004. Representatives from 6 countries (Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Libya) attended and were joined by a representative from UNICEF and FAO; 2 representatives participated from IUNS.

In March 2005, Dr Azza Gohar presented for the first time the: "Report on Nutrition Capacity Development in Middle East & North African" during the SCN 32nd Session & Symposium on “Realizing the right to adequate food to help achieve the millennium development goals", in Brazil, 14-18 March 2005 (United Nations System, Standing Committee on Nutrition).

Dr Gohar was also invited to attend the kick-off Meeting "The Capacity Development in Food & Nutrition Meeting in Central and Eastern Europe”, Consultant/Expert meeting at FAO, Budapest Office in collaboration with UNU-FNP, 18-19 May, 2005 in Budapest, Hungary. She shared experiences from the Middle East & North Africa Region in similar activities and to help launch the initiative in Central & Eastern Europe using the Conceptual Framework of the MENANA group.

Planned Activities:

  • Food Fortification especially (flour) in countries still not fortifying (e.g., Egypt, Libya, Yemen). This is an ongoing project.
  • Monitoring Food & Nutritional Status in the Region. This activity has been initiated.
    • Sensitive indicators have been provisionally selected
    • Training activities on:
      • Data collection
      • Data analysis
    • Creation of educational materials
    • We are searching for funding from international organizations such as UNICEF, WHO, WFP.
  • Developing a regional website & database including (Nutrition Status Indicators – Human Resources – Publications). This activity has begun.
  • Developing a nutrition curriculum for undergraduate medical & paramedical students and professors (doctors & nurses). This activity has been initiated.
  • Capacity Building of Human Resources: upgrading regional and NNI staff in statistical analysis mainly to predict & monitor risk factors.

Capacity Building for Better Nutrition in Africa
Dr. Alice Mwangi

The Applied Nutrition Programme is a teaching development and resource programme aiming to produce high quality multidisciplinary trained nutritionists through degree programs. The programme was started in 1985 following recommendations from UNU and ACC/SCN experts. It aims to improve nutrition training policy and performance for sustained development.

The programme has been successful, however, is facing recent shortage of enrollment, funding, scholarships, staffing, teaching facilities, access to journals, etc. The programme is looking to increase linkages and networking with other institutions in the near future.

Southern Africa Nutrition Capacity Development Initiative (SANCADI)
Dr David Sanders, Dr Joyce Chanetsa

Background: SANCADI was established as the first of the African nutrition capacity development initiatives. Soon after its formation it conducted a strategic planning exercise during which it was agreed to create a “learning co-operative”, comprised of institutions in the region, which would provide a mechanism for mutual transfer of expertise and capacity.

Past Activities: It was decided that SANCADI’s primary focus would be capacity development for programme implementation and evaluation. There was consensus amongst the active SANCADI members that the HIV/AIDS pandemic is presenting new and major challenges in nutrition and that capacity development is urgently required in this area. Accordingly, the expertise of the Regional Centre for Quality of Health Care (RCQHC) has been used to strengthen capacity in Southern Africa through the training of selected academics, managers and practitioners. Two successful courses have been held in East Africa and trainees have been furnished with materials to assist them in conducting similar training activities in their home countries. The current regional challenge is to sustain and expand the capacity already developed through outreach support and ongoing mentoring.

In association with the HIV/AIDS crisis, severe childhood malnutrition is becoming an increasing problem in the region. Evidence exists from Southern Africa and beyond that this condition carries a high mortality rate unless managed correctly. While feasible approaches and guidelines exist to facilitate optimal management of the crisis, it is apparent that significant capacity building is required throughout the region to ensure proper implementation of the available methods. SANCADI has resolved to focus on this area over the next period, utilizing expertise that has been developed in institutions in South Africa and Malawi.

Finally, given the combined effects of drought, economic stress and political instability, and HIV/AIDS, household food insecurity in the region has become more widespread. At the same time there appears to be recent increased interest and commitment on the part of governments and regional bodies such as SADC to address this problem. SANCADI has begun, and will continue, to advocate for greater attention and resources to be given to food and nutrition security and its determinants in the Southern African region.

Future Activities: A coordinator, Joyce Chanetsa, was appointed and will be based in the region and report to the SANCADI coordinating group. This phase of SANCADI’s work is being funded by the US Department of Agriculture and facilitated through University of the Western Cape (UWC) in South Africa. The work over the next period will continue to focus on capacity building in Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi and South Africa, and will also maintain initiatives in Namibia and Swaziland.

The key activities of the coordinator will be to:

  • Undertake a rapid audit of capacity development (CD) activities on nutrition programming and advocacy;
  • Select institutions/organizations to facilitate and support on-going CD (e.g. using UWC manuals/modules, RCQHC Tanzania);
  • Disseminate the learning module developed by RCQHC on Nutrition and HIV/AIDS and provide follow-up support to recipients;
  • Evaluate effectiveness of/disseminate current CD approaches to Food Security challenges (e.g. WHO/FAO/UNICEF course);
  • Assess and improve current practice at 1st level (district) hospitals on Management of severe malnutrition in selected countries (e.g. using WHO 10 steps plus Ready-to-use-therapeutic food);
  • Develop an advocacy and marketing strategy for SANCADI.

Report of the inauguration meeting of the Network for Capacity Development in Nutrition Central and Eastern Europe Dr Mirjana Pavlovic

Background
A meeting was held in February 2006, which followed-up the kick-off meeting for a capacity development initiative on food and nutrition in Central and Eastern Europe. The initial meeting was held in Budapest, 19 May 2005 and considered the desirability and possibility of establishing a network in this region as a part of SCN Capacity Development Working Group. It was decided in 2005 that a Network inauguration meeting would be organized to discuss the needs of the countries.

Regional networks already exist in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. The regional initiative in Eastern and Central Europe is thus the last of the planned networks on capacity building initiated by SCN working groups. Intensive networking of governmental institutions and cooperation in the field of training and research are considered very productive modes of functioning; a regional approach is needed to maintain the regionally driven agendas. Thus, the network in Central and Eastern Europe is the newest network facilitated by SCN and the UNU Food and Nutrition Programme. The workshop was organized in cooperation with the support of the FAO SEUR. The meeting was attended by participants from 10 countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, FYR Macedonia, Hungary, Norway, The Netherlands, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro and Slovakia. FAO SEUR staff members also took part in the event.

The meeting’s objectives were to:

  • Formally initiate the Network on Capacity Development for the CEE countries within the capacity development initiatives of SCN, UNU and other European research and training institutions.
  • Present and discuss the profile of challenges identified by participants.
  • Identify follow-up activities in order to facilitate the initiatives of the Network in the field of capacity development in the CEE region.
  • Identify strategic elements to meet the capacity development plans of institutions and individuals in the region.
  • Prepare a presentation of needs and strategies to be presented at the 33rd session of SCN in Geneva, March 2006.

Current Activities
The Network plans to implement projects targeting the following areas: reduction of obesity and related diseases; improvement of dietary habits of population; improvement of nutritional status of population; improvement of education and dissemination of information; increased research in the field of nutrition; development of the food data base; harmonize research, evaluation and monitoring of the nutrition situation.

The Network developed a nutrition action plan and strategy with international collaboration which includes:

  • The training of health officials and policy makers.
  • The establishment of the National Nutrition Centre in each country to coordinate activities on national level and collaborate on international level.
  • The organization of workshops focused on the development of joint (regional) methodology for nutritional status monitoring through an existing heath statistics reporting system.
  • The organization of workshops on the development of joint (regional) methodology for dietary intake and food habits data collection analyses (software) and evaluation.
  • The organization of workshops on the establishment of joint (regional) approaches to developing national physical activity guidelines.
  • The organization of workshops on the establishment of joint (regional) approaches to developing school policies and guidelines on nutrition.
  • The initiation of pilot projects to address some of the issues identified during the meeting, and to prepare a proposal to cover the additional cost for next year.
  • The continuation of work focused on the development of national food and nutrition policies and action plans.
  • The formulation of food, nutrition and health goals that address the most important problems (target groups, age, gender, special viewpoints) and factors to change: nutrition (habits, structure, etc.), lifestyle habits (smoking, alcohol consumption), physical activity, priority list-cost benefit for the effectiveness.
  • The standardisation and collaboration on recommended dietary allowances (RDA) in Europe and their use in everyday practice for health professionals in diet modelling.
  • The standardisation of food consumption and nutritional situation monitoring on a national level (action, initiate, carry out, monitoring, evaluate).
  • The development of dietary guidelines for different population groups.
  • Collaboration with food industry to produce more choices of healthier low fat, vitamin and mineral enriched foods.
  • The establishment of a food data base with software for nutrition planning and evaluation of dietary and nutrient intake.
  • The initiation of nutritional epidemiological surveys – studies based on the same methodology and protocols.
  • The initiation of nutrition intervention studies – based on national experiences, common methodological-guide to act for Europe.
  • Cooperation with food industry to improve the quality of national diet according to WHO/FAO recommendations of healthy nutrition to increase the production of "healthy food", i.e. low fat products, low calories, low sugar, low salt or high micronutrient content, vegetable fibres etc.
  • The development of improved consumer information in order to implement the healthy diet recommendations. Food labels should include the declaration of nutrition content.
  • Procuring commitments of UNU, FAO, UNICEF and WHO to support the network in order to improve the nutrition situation in this region.
  • The establishment of regular children growth and nutritional status assessment monitoring.
  • The establishment of a national monitoring system for nutritional status, especially for vulnerable groups as pregnant women, lactating mothers, infants, pre-school and school children, elderly people and social margin groups.
  • The standardization of nutritional situation monitoring.
  • The establishment of strong capacity development network based on internet to exchange information and enhance collaboration between countries in the region (e.g. Food and Nutrition portal of the AgroWeb Network - http://agrowebcee.net).
  • The monitoring of nutritional status, dietary habits and food intake, as well as chronic non-communicable diseases related to nutrition.
  • Conducting specific programs:
    • to prevent obesity and non-communicable diseases
    • to prevent and control micronutrient deficiencies
    • for socio-economically and nutritionally vulnerable groups
  • Collecting data on positive and negative influence of food on health.
  • The initiation of actions to guarantee sufficient quantities of quality food for all population (Food security).
  • The harmonization of the national legislation with relevant international standards and harmonization of Codex Alimentarius Commission standards and EU Directives. Strengthening, rationalization and definition of competencies and responsibilities in the system of food control.
  • Initiation of actions to prevent food born diseases and chemical contamination (Food safety).
  • The prevention of deficiencies of microelements and vitamins:
    • prevent the decrease or elimination of iodine, iron, calcium, deficiencies, and the vitamins A, D deficiencies and vitamins of the B group
    • the involvement of food industry in the production of fortified food.
  • The creation of backgrounds for basic agriculture and food processing to produce healthy and safe foodstuffs.
  • The introduction of legislation to promote “health beneficial” foodstuffs.
  • Initiate the practice of developing of all forms of public catering,

The 3rd Network meeting for a capacity development in nutrition in Central and Eastern Europe was held 16-17th November 2006 in FAO SEUR and reported at the 34th SCN meeting in Rome, 2007. The Network decided to focus on the following priority activities for the years 2007-2008.

Planned Activities:

  • 4th Network meeting, autumn 2007 Belgrade
    • Relevant Action Plans for CEE countries – WHO (obesity, food, nutrition, physical activity, diet)
    • EURRECA
    • DIETS
  • 2nd edition of Food Comp Data Course for CEE Countries in 2008

The African Nutrition Leadership Programme (ANLP)

Since 2002, five editions of the ANLP have been held in South Africa. In total, over 100 people attended these five editions, covering 20 countries from North to Southern Africa. The programme’s emphasis is on development of personal leadership through team building, communication and leadership. The programme also focuses on grant writing, social responsibility and the ANLP declaration. Group work is an important part of the programme and many activities are organized by the formed groups (daily newsletter, introduction of the guest speakers, social evening). Nutrition discipline topics vary over the years (HIV/AIDS, etc.). Subsequent to the first edition an alumni network was formed. Each year two ‘junior faculty’ from the previous year’s group are invited to assist with the programme. The ANLP is organized by North-West University (Potchefstroom) and the University of Venda. Logistic support is provided by Wageningen University (Netherlands). Following the 5h seminar in 2006 the programme breaks for a 15-month period before the next edition. In 2006 funds were sought for an extra activity in West Africa, PLAN, to be hosted from 1-5 May 2007 in Quarzazate in Morocco as a satellite to the FANUS-meeting.

The next regular edition of the ANLP is scheduled for March 2008: www.africanutritionleadership.org. 

African Graduate Student Network (AGSNet)

Despite similarities in nutrition problems that face many African nations, there appears to be little inter-country collaboration among governments, research institutions and non-governmental organizations to implement reforms leading to effective action. To assist in resolving the lack of effective networks, an ad hoc group of nutrition graduate students from Africa has initiated a worldwide student network. Networking is done through E-mail, a website, promotion of collaborative activities among the network's members, and biennial meetings.

AGSNet’s objectives are to develop leadership skills and interests in nutrition in Africa; bridge the interest gap between practitioners in academia and in development; harness and maximize the utilization of available resources; create an enabling environment and cross-country approaches to deal with the problem of undernutrition; and help to connect graduate students together in their efforts to serve the needs of Africa. This is expected to result in the formation of critical networks among tomorrow's leaders throughout the continent.

In September 2005, the network held its inaugural conference in prelude to the ICN meeting in Durban, South Africa. The conference was attended by 39 members from 13 African countries studying in 19 universities world wide. Of those only 8 are studying outside the continent (1 in Europe, 2 in Canada and 5 in the United States of America). The conference was also attended by 4 advisors of the network and 7 invited guests. Several members of AGSNet also participated in, and presented at the 2nd Congress on IT in the Advancement of Nutrition in Africa, held from 16-18 September, 2005 in Cape Town, South Africa. AGSNet members have discussed ways to connect their network with the African Nutrition Leadership Program (ANLP). AGSNet participated in the ANLP workshop held in November 2005 and plans to increase its member participation in future years.

The next meeting of AGSNet will be held in Morocco in May, 2007, and will coincide with the Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS) meeting. Currently the Network is involved in the following activities:

  • Liaising with various organizations to provide access to journals;
  • Creating an e-group or discussion board for members of the Network to discuss issues of interest including the nutrition situation in Africa;
  • Sharing of information as regard to fellowships, job opportunities, short-term consultancies, conferences, scholarships, internships, etc. Sharing of issues on cutting-edge research;
  • Sharing of experiences from programmatic activities that may not be found in journals. The Network should link up with other networks or organized groups that are involved in keeping and disseminating such program information to ensure effective propagation. Such linkages will assist in keeping the research agenda (of AGSNet members) relevant to the needs of Africa.
  • Reaching to graduate students with the aim of doubling the membership by 2007;
  • Country members plan to organize educative programs/activities in dealing with nutrition and infection;

To start addressing one of the most crucial difficulties students face in Africa, i.e. the access to scientific literature, AGSNet has made arrangements with the Collaborative Crop Research Program of the McKnight Foundation based at Cornell University, and the enLINK initiative of the Nestlé Foundation to provide and/or inform its members about access to papers published in some of the high impact nutrition journals.