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UN Nutrition Virtual Event 26 April 2023: Pursuing wins-wins for nutrition and the environment through a food systems approach

Side event – 4th Global Conference of One Planet network’s Sustainable Food Systems Programme

– INVITATION –

Date: Wednesday, 26 April 2023

Time: 6:00 p.m. ‒ 7:45 p.m. (GMT+7)

Registration link: https://bit.ly/40yijzq

Event co-organizers:

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Costa Rica,
the Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture, UN-Nutrition,
the United Nations Environment Programme, ICLEI, Rikolto and
RUAF-Hivos

Join us for the launch of a new discussion paper that unpacks the crucial interlinkages between nutrition and the environment. Developed under the umbrella of UN-Nutrition, thanks to the United Nations Environment Programme and other Member Agencies, the paper also explores strategies and methodologies that policymakers and other stakeholders can draw on to foster collaborative, evidence-based governance to achieve mutually reinforcing goals.

This side event will be also an opportunity to hear from different cities and regions around the world about the actions they are taking and how they are yielding co-benefits for nutrition and the environment. With a mix of speakers from government, the United Nations and civil society (provisional agenda below), the event will incite a dynamic discussion about the way forward.

Provisional agenda


6:00‒6:03 PM Welcome and opening remarks
Roberto Azofeifa, Chief of the Agro-environmental Production Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Costa Rica

6:03‒6:08 PM Objectives and agenda
Stineke Oenema, Executive Secretary of UN-Nutrition

6:08‒6:20 PM Setting the scene: Key messages of the paper
Steven Stone, Deputy Director of the Economy Division, UNEP

6:08‒6:20 PM Linking nutrition and the environment for people and the planet
Tom Arnold, Special Envoy for Food Systems, Ireland

6:25‒7:00 PM Panel: Local experiences on nutrition-environment interlinkages

  • Alwin Kopse (TBC), Head of International Affairs and Food Systems, Federal Office for Agriculture and National UNFSS Convener, The Swiss Confederation
  • Igor Barcellos, Food and Nutrition Security Coordinator of the Municipal Secretariat of Social Assistance, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Rose Achieng, Agri-Nutrition Coordinator, Department of Agriculture, Kisumu County, Kenya
  • Nyoman Suma Artha, Director, Pasar Rakyat, Bali, Indonesia
  • Runyararo Esther Chibota, Hivos Regional Coordinator Urban Futures Programme, Hivos Hub SAf, Zimbabwe

7:00‒7:30 PM Q&A

Moderated by Stineke Oenema, UN-Nutrition Executive Secretary, with the audience and speakers

7:30‒7:40 PM Wrap-up
Nancy Aburto, Deputy Director of the Food and Nutrition Division, FAO
Representative of the Coalition of Action on Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems for Children and All

7:40 ‒7:45 PM Closing remarks
Stineke Oenema, UN-Nutrition Executive Secretary

Additional information about this event and other virtual side events taking place between 24 April and 26 April is available here.

We hope that you will join us and encourage you to share this invitation with others in your network.

With warm regards,
The UN-Nutrition Secretariat

ISFANEA 2023 pre-event webinar on Controversies around Ultra Processed Foods

Indonesian Nutrition Higher Education Association (AIPGI) and The Food and Nutrition Society of Indonesia (PERGIZI PANGAN Indonesia) will be holding an International Webinar named “Controversies around Ultra Processed Foods: Facts or Myths?”. This event will be a pre-event of the 5th International Symposium on Food and Nutrition, Expo, and Awards 2023 (ISFANEA 2023). 

The theme of the symposium is “Food and Nutrition Innovation for Sustainable Economy, Health, and Well-Being” and it will be held on 22-24 June 2023 in Bogor, Indonesia.

The International Webinar aims to give an understanding of millennials and Z generations regarding ultra processed food in relation to food security and health. The target participants are undergraduate and postgraduate students in related disciplines. To participate, students must download the poster of ISFANEA 2023 and captions and post them on at least one of their social media (FB/IG/Twitter) and mention the Food and Nutrition Society of Indonesia (PERGIZI PANGAN Indonesia) with specific hashtags.

In addition to the benefits of gaining an understanding of ultra processed food, participants of the International Webinar will receive two certificates, a competition participant certificate, and an ISFANEA 2023 participant certificate. Selected abstracts will also be published in the book of abstracts of ISFANEA 2023.

Students must submit an abstract of a maximum of 250 words expressing their position about the theme of the competition (Controversies around Ultra Processed Foods: Facts or Myths?), whether they are pros, cons, or pros-cons, and the reasons behind their stance. Submission of the abstract and evidence of social media postings must be done through bit.ly/ISFANEA2023UPFReg and must be done not later than 03 April 2023.

For more information, participants may contact the organizers through email, cellphone/Whatsapp, or visit their website at https://pergizi.org/isfanea2023/. Selected participants in this competition will be an online ISFANEA 2023 participant and will have the registration fee waived (USD 250). They will also have the opportunity to meet and greet with reputable experts in food science, food technology, and nutrition via Zoom meeting in the pre-event of ISFANEA 2023 (on the 2nd week of June).

Professor Edith Feskens, one of the IUNS Council will Speak at Symposium on Ultra Processed Foods in Indonesia

In a highly anticipated event, Professor Edith Feskens, a renowned nutrition expert and council member of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) , will be speaking at the upcoming symposium titled “Controversies around Ultra Processed Foods: Facts or Myths?”. The symposium is being organised by the Food and Nutrition Society of Indonesia (PERGIZI PANGAN Indonesia) and is scheduled to take place on the 4th and 5th of April 2023.

As one of the leading authorities on nutrition and health, Professor Feskens will share her insights on the highly debated topic of ultra-processed foods. Her presentation will explore the controversies surrounding these foods, discussing the facts and myths that surround their consumption and impact on health. This symposium is expected to attract audience , as the topic of ultra-processed foods is of great interest to many.

Professor Feskens’ contribution to the field of nutrition research has been highly recognised, and her presentation at this symposium is sure to provide valuable insights and provoke thought-provoking discussions. Her experience and expertise in the field make her a highly sought-after speaker at international events, and her involvement in this symposium is a testament to its importance.

The symposium is set to be an informative and engaging event, with a range of other experts in the field also set to share their insights on this topic. Attendees can expect to leave with a better understanding of the controversies around ultra-processed foods and the impact they have on our health.

For more information visit Food and Nutrition Society of Indonesia website.

Last chance to register for the IUFoST Scientific Roundtable Discussion focusing on Millets for Enhancing Agri-economy, Nutrition, Environmental, and Sustainable Development Goals and  set for Friday, 31 March 2023.

The focus of this IUFoST – SRD would be to understand how Food Science and Technology can take the Challenges in the Millet Chain (MC) to deliver the needed end product to the consumer and the raw material for the food industries to make potentially nutritious, healthy and safe food products. The global experts will address the relevant issues in food science and technology applicable to millets and their role to enhance the global and regional awareness of dietary patterns with better nutrition and improved health through regular consumption of millets-based products. – Vish Prakash

Expert Speakers include Ismahane Elouafi, PhD – Role of Millets in a Dynamic Agroecosystem, FAO Chief Scientist; Ruth Oniang’o, PhD – Agricultural Diversity of African Millets, Founder and Director of Rural Outreach Africa, Kenya; CV Ratnavathi, PhD – Global Perspective on History of Production, Use & Agri-economics of Millet: Indian Institute of Millets Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India;   Anoma Chandrasekara, PhD – Bioactives and Health Implications of Millet: Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka;  Peter Pressman, MD – Millet – Demystifying Health Claims: Peter Pressman, University of Maine, USA.

The Council of Early Career Scientists of IUFoST is presenting its position on Millets, represented by Jay Yadav Kant, during the Roundtable. More on this and how IUFoST members and associates can use these expert Scientific Roundtable Discussion outcomes coming soon.

Register here
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rqyd8ozPTMyTEafAIf7kMQ

“All You Can Learn” in Nutrition for Health and Sustainability” by EIT Food Education

EIT Food Education Launches “All You Can Learn” Event Series with a Focus on Nutrition for Health and Sustainability

EIT Food Education, a leading provider of food education and training programs, has announced the launch of its new “All You Can Learn” event series. This series is designed to provide participants with the knowledge and confidence they need to start their learning journey with EIT Food Education.

The series includes multiple live sessions that allow learners to interact with course educators and explore various short courses on offer. Each session focuses on a specific course and features a presentation, Q&A session, and expert advice to enlighten participants on what they can gain from the course and address any doubts.

The first episode of the series will focus on EIT Food Education’s popular course, Nutrition for Health and Sustainability, on Wednesday, April 5th, at 6 pm CET. The course was designed initially for medical students and healthcare professionals and provides valuable insights into the latest scientific research on chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Participants will learn strategies for implementing sustainable dietary practices in both personal and professional settings to improve patient outcomes in clinical settings.

“We are excited to launch our ‘All You Can Learn’ event series and provide a platform for learners to connect with our expert educators,” said the EIT Food Education team. “We are confident that participants will leave this event feeling informed and inspired to take the next step in their learning journey.”

Registration for the event is now open.

EASO early career network webinar

An online event titled “Obesity Research to Policy: Lessons from Dr Bart Van der Schueren” is scheduled to take place on Monday, 20 March 2023, from 5-6 pm CET. Dr Bart Van der Schueren, Chairman of the Belgian Association for the Study of Obesity, will be discussing effective ways to translate obesity research into policies and practices. The event is hosted by EASO ECN board members, who will be available to answer any questions related to ECN.

Participants are encouraged to keep their cameras on during the event and submit their questions before and during the session via http://www.slido.com using code #32138448. To join this online event, attendees must already be a member of EASO ECN. Prospective members must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or post-graduate course of study related to obesity or have received a relevant postgraduate degree in the past five years or an MD within the past eight years. Alternatively, they must hold an entry-level position such as a junior doctor, post-doctoral fellow, lecturer, instructor, assistant professor, public health manager or public policy coordinator at an established academic/research institution, NGO or public health institution/authority.

If you are not yet an ECN member, you can join using the link provided before registering for the event. This session is an excellent opportunity to engage in discussions about obesity research and policy with an expert in the field and learn from their valuable insights.

Tenth NAV Public lecture about Nutrition in crisis

On 23 January 2023 at Antropia in Driebergen-Zeist (the Netherlands) Dutch Academy of Nutritional Sciences (NAV) will hold the tenth public lecture in English. This year, the executive director of the Micronutrient forum, an international expert organisation, Saskia Osendrap, PhD will talk about the challenges of global food and nutrition security. 

The event is held also virtually which is free of cost. 

For those who attending physically in Driebergen-Zeist (NL) is free of charge if members of NAV and €15 for non-members.

The public lecture of Saskia Osendarp is entitled:

Nutrition in crisis:

Since 2020, crises have threatened global food and nutrition security. COVID-19, climate change, and conflicts. The iceberg is much bigger. Less visible is the rise in people who can’t afford a healthy diet with micronutrient-rich foods. Inflation makes nutritious foods unaffordable for many low-income consumers even in high-income countries. Preschoolers and pregnant women are vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies because of this. Even in high-income countries, 56% of preschool children and 69% of women of reproductive age are micronutrient deficient. Billion women and children are affected. Early micronutrient deficiencies harm health and development for life. We have a strong evidence base on a suite of cost-effective interventions across food, health, and social protection systems, unlike other health or nutrition challenges. We need to learn more about interactions and trade-offs between these interventions, micronutrient status, and interrelated crises: climate change, pandemics, conflicts, and food price inflation. Some micronutrient interventions, like increasing animal food consumption, may improve micronutrient status but harm the climate. Climate change and extreme weather threaten micronutrient content of nutritious foods, reduce yields, and increase the risk of infectious diseases, increasing people’s need for micronutrients. These interactions show the need for more integrated solutions that put nutrition, specifically micronutrient nutrition, at the centre of our efforts to build resilience in a world of overlapping shocks and crises.

IAEA & EAGEN joint webinar

IAEA & EAGEN joint webinar on A novel 13C-Sucrose Breath Test to assess gut health and sugar intake in the context of the double burden of malnutrition will take place on 17 November at 15:30 CET.

Registration is required to join this event.

The headlines and speakers of the event are as follows

Understanding gut function and its relevance to child health from a stable isotope lens by Dr Victor Owino, Nutritional and Health-Related Environmental Studies Section, Division of Human Health, International Atomic Energy Agency, Austria 

13C sucrose breath test: what does it tell us about gut function in environmental enteropathy by Dr Douglas Morrison, Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, Glasgow, United Kingdom and Dr Paul Kelly, Tropical Gastroenterology & Nutrition Group, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Zambia

13C-SBT in assessing intestinal function in EED and its link to growth: findings from Peru, India, and Bangladesh by Dr Nirupama Shivakumar, St John’s Research Institute, Bangalore, India

13C stable isotope breath testing to measure intestinal function and impacts of the double burden of malnutrition by Dr Roger Yazbek, Flinders University, Australia

Moderation: Professor Dr Heinz Hammer, Gastroenterology, Graz University Hospital, Austria

The UN-Nutrition strategy (2022-2030) online launch event

On Monday, 31 October 2022, from 11:00 to 13:00 EAT, The UN-Nutrition strategy (2022-2030) will be launched in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the margins of the 13th Africa Day for Food and Nutrition Security (ADFNS).

The UN-Nutrition will hold a free-hybrid event titled: On the Road to 2030: Putting the UN-Nutrition strategy into practice during the age of intersecting Crisis. In order to attend this event, registration is required. 

UN Nutrition is the United Nations’ platform for inter-agency coordination and collaboration on nutrition at the international and national levels.

It is expected to eradicate global malnutrition and hunger by 2030. In this regard, progress has been made in dealing with malnutrition, overweight, and obesity, but at a slow and inconsistent pace. As a result, achieving the goals that the world has set for itself by 2030 in order to solve nutrition-related problems such as malnutrition, obesity, and so on will be difficult. As a result, to meet the goals set by 2030, this programme must accelerate development.

This event will be the first-ever UN-Nutrition strategy meeting, discussing how UN agencies, funds and programmes come together to realise the joint commitment of having “one UN for nutrition.”

The event will focus on :

  •  applying the UN-Nutrition strategy in African countries to face today’s complex challenges
  • Putting nutrition at the top of the world agenda and, in accordance with the AU’s Year of Nutrition for Africa, raising awareness of how these crises are severely influencing nutrition.
  • To remind policymakers and other decision-makers that malnutrition is preventable, linked directly or indirectly to all SDGs and that investment in nutrition yields excellent benefits.
  • To emphasise more than ever the necessity for a harmonised and coordinated effort to attain WHA nutrition goals.

It will continue concerning the two interlinked goals and three “areas of joint work” that UN-Nutrition is pursuing. 

The open-access provisional agenda is available here.

Sleep

NHLBI Workshop: Optimal instruments for measurement of dietary intake, physical activity, and sleep among adults.

Optimal Instruments for Measurement of Dietary Intake, Physical Activity, and Sleep Among Adults Workshop will be held on Sept. 21-20, 2022

The 2022 Optimal Instruments for Measurement of Dietary Intake, Physical Activity, and Sleep Among Adults Workshop will be held virtually on September 21- 22, 2022. The workshop times are 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT on September 21st, and 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM EDT on September 22nd.

The purpose of the workshop is to review the state of the science regarding the validity, reliability, and sensitivity of instruments used to assess dietary intake, physical activity and sleep in large observational studies and clinical trials among adults. Additionally, the workshop will involve evaluating the pros and cons, including the feasibility of instruments to measure dietary intake, physical activity, and sleep in large studies, as well as recommend best practices to harmonize data from differing instruments across studies within each measurement domain to facilitate pooling studies as well as the possible incorporation of a new instrument within each domain into on-going studies while retaining the ability to perform valid longitudinal comparisons from previous instruments. Lastly, the identification of gaps and opportunities for future research to develop improved measurement tools for large studies to assess these key health behaviors including the use of biomarkers (“omics” such as metabolomics), mobile technology, sensors, etc. will be discussed.

The overarching goal of this 2-day (10-hours) workshop is to assemble a multi-disciplinary panel of experts across multiple domains to identify key knowledge gaps in measurements tools used to assess dietary intake, physical activity and sleep. The workshop is intended to guide researchers, NIH staff, and the community on the best methods and instruments for measurement of dietary intake, physical activity and sleep in large observational studies and clinical trials among adults. The workshop is intended to identify possible barriers and opportunities on the different measurement tools used to assess diet, physical activity and sleep in adults. Experts from multiple disciplines will be assembled to examine research gaps on such tools from behavioral, lifestyle, social, and technological perspectives.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/optimal-instruments-for-measurement-diet-activity-sleep-among-adults-tickets-414825483187