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

I. Procedural Issues

I.1  General Procedures for SCN Working Groups

89. In response to suggestions at the two preceding SCN Sessions, a discussion paper had been submitted covering nine aspects of the functioning of working groups. A number of comments were made, including a list of suggestions by bilateral organizations, affecting functions, new names and topics, and duration of working groups.

90.  All participating organizations were asked to rank and comment on all proposed groups, old and new. In the course of the discussion two new groups were suggested as follows:

  • Health education and food safety
  • Life cycle consequences of foetal and infant malnutrition (policy and programmes)

In addition to the existing groups on:

  • Iodine Deficiency Disorders (to next meet in 2000)
  • Vitamin A (to be combined with Iron in 1999)
  • Nutrition in Emergencies  (new name)
  • Household Food Security
  • Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding (to put more emphasis on complementary feeding)
  • Nutrition, Ethics and Human Rights (may not meet in 1999 due to Symposium topic)
  • Nutrition of School Age Children (to next meet in 2000).

91.  The SCN Chair noted these decisions:

Regarding organization and structure, Working Group chairs should take full responsibility. He/she will be appointed by the SCN Chair and rotate every two to three years. Groups can discuss by Email or by a specifically created website or chatline and convene workshops if funds are available.  The Working Group chair should decide on frequency, form and venue of the meetings;  Working Groups are encouraged to appoint more than one rapporteur.

As to content, Working Groups should follow scientific, policy and programmatic developments, keep informed of what all agencies are doing in their area of responsibility, and develop priorities and recommendations for action.

92.  FAO stated that they agree with the principle of rotation and would relinquish chairship of the Working Group on household food security.  Norway suggested that the World Bank be designated as chair with IFPRI as rapporteur.

I.2  Advisory Group on Nutrition (AGN) Membership

93.  The non-renewable term of office of one member expires at this 25th Session of the SCN, and the current two-year terms of other Advisory Group on Nutrition (AGN) members will expire at the SCN Session meeting in 1999. Members are appointed to serve two-year terms of office, renewable twice.  Renewal of membership is not automatic.  The SCN Chair and the Technical Secretary, in consultation with the AGN Chair, jointly decide whether individuals rotate off, taking into account performance and attendance.

94.  The Technical Secretary recalled that at its 24th Session it was decided to reduce the size of the AGN membership from eight to six, for the time being.  She undertook to start the recruitment process in September 1998 following the procedure decided during the 21st Session, i.e., adapted from that used by the US National Academy of Sciences and other organizations.  Nominations would be requested from both UN participating agencies and bilaterals.  The number of vacancies will be determined prior to the call for nominations.  The names of former candidates may be resubmitted.

95.  The Chairman undertook to write a letter of apology to one member of the AGN whose membership had erroneously been revoked; his membership was reinstated with immediate effect.

96. The structure, function and agenda of the AGN will be discussed by the SCN (26th Session) in the Executive Session.

I.3 Information on developments in the SCN Secretariat

97. Participants expressed interest in being updated on a regular basis about developments in the SCN Secretariat, i.e. work in progress, travel by the Technical Secretary, along with any interesting developments in UN and bilateral agencies. A short summary 'to keep in touch' by Email received broad support, the format and timing being left to the Technical Secretary.