United Nations System
Standing Committee on Nutrition

 

Report of the Sub-Committee on Nutrition at its Twenty-Fifth Session

II.  Work in Progress:  Summary of Discussion and Conclusions

D. Commission on Nutrition Challenges of the 21st Century and Follow-up to the Commission's First Report

57.  The Chairman of the Commission highlighted that in its work the Commission sought to look at the problem of persistent malnutrition.  The SCN Chair recalled that the terms of reference for the Commission were agreed upon in Kathmandu and subsequently published in the SCN News (No. 14) and put on the SCN web page.

58.  Various agencies expressed support for the many positive elements in the Commission's first draft report.  The document brings a sense of urgency to the problem while maintaining optimism.  It also provides strong technical leadership and new directions, underlining the need for renewed political commitment to nutrition.

59.  Potential audiences for the Commission's report were discussed, of which two were considered central:

  • policy makers in developing countries, donor governments, NGOs and the private sector;
  • UN agencies related to nutrition and the UN in general.

60.  Advocacy and awareness raising were considered to be important purposes of the finished document. All concurred with the need for stronger advocacy and stressed the need for concise, coherent messages. These could be used in conjunction with other documents such as The State of World's Children, the ICN Plan of Action and WFS Plan of Action.

61.  Coordination within the UN system is an important factor in enhancing the impact of the UN on food and nutrition outcomes.  The report could serve to highlight how the UN agencies could have a more profound impact on malnutrition reduction. Significant work is going on at country and regional level, and there is coordination amongst  agencies in many circumstances. We need to build on this and strengthen it.  As an example of a missed opportunity,  WHO stated there is a task force on rural development and food security set up after the World Food Summit. This task force focuses on agriculture but not nutrition.  At country level, we are missing an opportunity to influence activities because many SCN members are not included in the task force network.

62.  Support for the Commission's work and its completion was expressed by SCN participants.  The Commission should revise the present draft taking into account the comments from the Symposium, AGN and the SCN in their discussions.  When the draft is completed, it should be circulated to all SCN members for comments which would be incorporated into the final report at the Commission's discretion.  Other versions were also requested.  A  short (two-page) summary of the document could serve to bring in new insights, and to energize efforts to reduce malnutrition. This summary should be addressed to policy makers.  Also, an executive summary for UN leadership and for the main SCN agencies should be prepared. The possibility of a document for ECOSOC consideration was raised and considered useful by many. The SCN chair will explore this. It was suggested that the release of the Commission's final report be widely publicized, both within and outside the UN system.  WHO confirmed they would be pleased for key findings relating to the Commission report to be brought into regional ICN follow-up workshops.

63.  Funding for the work of the Commission is essential to complete this task. The Commission is prepared to continue its work, although setting out a timetable for completion is not possible at this time. The approved budget for the biennium makes specific reference to the work of the Commission.

64.  The need for a strategic plan, focusing on the work of SCN member agencies to address food and nutrition problems, was considered. This task was deemed necessary but outside the mandate of the Commission.  It could be taken up by a sub-group of the SCN. The strategic plan would address the implementation aspects of improving inter-agency collaboration for nutrition including implementation of  key findings and  recommendations of the Commission's report. It will not discuss technical issues or priorities, but rather it will define the framework for cooperation by UN agencies in the implementation of the agreed nutrition priorities and the Commission's recommendations. It will include eight to ten key recommendations and identify two to three examples of success stories, to be provided by agencies.  How to accelerate nutrition improvement within the context of the UN reform process would be highlighted. The document will ideally be five to ten pages in length, but not more than 20 pages.  A specific budget allocation of about $20,000 is required for this work.

65.  The following steps were agreed:

  • A first draft of the document will be prepared by a small drafting group consisting of the SCN Chair and Technical Secretary and an AGN member.  Efforts will be made to secure the inputs of regional offices, since in the case of some UN agencies there is little technical (nutritional) expertise at the country level. The group will take into consideration UN initiatives in inter-agency cooperation, and also take account of trends in donor coordination with respect to sector wide approaches and "theme teams".
  • The first draft will be circulated to a larger review group of approximately 12 individuals. This review group will include representatives of the UN agencies concerned with nutrition, but might also include a bilateral agency representative if possible, an NGO representative, and representatives from developing country institutions who are also responsible for nutrition programmes in their countries. The review group will submit written comments.  It was emphasized, however, that agencies not necessarily wait until receiving the first draft before providing input into the strategic plan.
  • The drafting group will revise the first draft in the light of comments received.  The review group will meet (during July-Sept 1998) to discuss the second draft. The final draft will be circulated to SCN participants  well before to the 1999 SCN meeting.

66. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) experience presented by Joseph Hunt served as an example of regional/country coordination in the field. The presentation highlighted a regional partnership with UNICEF and governments to move beyond project-specific interventions to a regional model for strategic planning with community-based programmes and implementation. Links to nutrition and cognitive development and a human rights approach were underscored.  The themes found in the Commission's report are supportive of this ADB work. This might be a useful model to adapt for an African context.  The Bank and UNICEF invite SCN participants to attend an Investment Roundtable for Asian Children, scheduled for September 1998 at ADB headquarters in Manila.