Tag: Capacity Development

The 9th Chinese Nutrition Leadership Training Programme Successfully Held in Ürümqi

The Chinese Nutrition Leadership Training Programme (CNLP), a collaborative initiative between the Chinese Nutrition Society (CNS) and the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS), was established with the aim of empowering young scholars in the field of nutrition in China, to expand their thinking beyond professional boundaries and develop into confident, globally-minded leaders. Since its inception in 2008, this flagship programme has been conducted eight times, successfully cultivating over 300 leaders in the nutritional profession and establishing itself as a key initiative for nurturing young leadership within the nutrition society.

The 9th Chinese Nutrition Leadership Training Programme (CNLP) took place in the city of Ürümqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on August 2–7, 2026. This programme was jointly organized by the Chinese Nutrition Society (CNS), the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS), and the Federation of Asian Nutrition Societies (FANS). After selection process involving nominations, initial screening, and competitive evaluation, 46 participants representing a diverse background from Universities, Research institutions, medical facilities, Provincial CDCs were chosen from over 100 applicants to join this programme.

Programme Key Themes

  • International Perspective and Innovative Thinking: To broaden participants’ global outlook and cultivate innovative approaches to challenges in the nutrition field.
  • Professional Integration and Capacity Building: To strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration and enhance professional competence across diverse domains.
  • Vision Enhancement and Comprehensive Literacy: To broaden participants’ horizons and refine their overall professional and cultural literacy.
  • Leadership and Implementation Capability: To elevate participants’ leadership skills, ensure the effective execution of ideas, and improve their ability to communicate with clarity and impact.

Picture 1. The group photo of the opening ceremony of 9th CNLP

Programme Overview

At the opening ceremony held on August 2, Professor Yuexin Yang, President of the Chinese Nutrition Society;President of the Federation of Asian Nutrition Societies, officially announced the beginning of the programme. She emphasized that the goal of CNLP is not “professional” learning by itself, but rather expanding one’s thinking and identifying personal growth areas. She noted that leadership training is not about learning administrative authority, but about self-improvement and self-management encompassing execution, cooperation, guidance, and influence—all rooted in the power of thought. Professor Yang encouraged participants to cherish the opportunity, engage in earnest study, foster teamwork within their groups, build friendships, and enlighten one another through the learning process.

Picture 2. Professor Yuexin Yang，President of Chinese Nutrition Society,President of the Federation of Asian Nutrition Society , delivers an opening speech

Following the opening, participants engaged in leadership self-assessment, ice-breaking activities, group division, and task assignments. The 46 participants were organized into four groups – Event Operations, Media&News, Culture&Sports, and Team Development – each with distinct responsibilities, and were actively involved in planning and implementing activities throughout the programme.

Picture 3. Candidates for class monitor and group leaders.

Over the subsequent five days, the programme was delivered through a diverse mix of lectures, panel discussions, forums, site visits, and interactive workshops, structured around four core modules: international perspective and innovative thinking; professional integration and capacity building; vision enhancement and comprehensive literacy; and leadership and implementation skills. Each module combined theoretical grounding with hands-on practice, covering cutting edge topics in nutrition science, research methodologies, interdisciplinary collaboration, cultural awareness, and team management. Faculty members from multiple countries and disciplines, including China, the United States, and Italyetc., contributed to the sessions, enriching participants’ global outlook and practical skills.

Complementing the formal sessions, each group designed and facilitated interactive activities that put leadership principles into practice, including self-awareness exercises, professional branding, persuasive communication, and conflict resolution through a structured debate on dietary patterns and a scenario-based negotiation simulation. An evening peer-exchange session further allowed participants to explore practical challenges in leadership and communication.

Picture 4. The Culture & Sports Group leads participants in break-time activities.

Picture 5. Team Development Group leads Scenario-based simulation exercise

On August 7, the programme held its final summary and learning achievement sharing session. Representatives from each group delivered presentations in English, reflecting on their gains in terms of broadened industry vision, enhanced professional skills, elevated leadership qualities, and strengthened team collaboration. Some participants also shared their personal reflections：

“This experience has made me realize that true breakthroughs come from organized collaborative research, systematic data sharing, and the heartfelt exchange of experience.”

“Not a nutrition major, but I came purely for my love of clinical nutrition. My heartfelt thanks to the Chinese Nutrition Society for building this precious platform for young clinicians and scholars—and for this extraordinary opportunity to grow and connect.”

A panel of experts provided on-site comments and feedback. They commended the participants’ rapid progress and deep thinking, and encouraged them to continue consolidating their professional foundations, to develop their own distinctive “nutrition labels,” and to actively contribute to the national Healthy China initiative.

The ceremony included a video review produced by the Media&News group, followed by the presentation of training certificates.

Conclusion

The 9th CNLP has successfully achieved its goal of equipping participants with the skills and knowledge to become leaders in the field of nutrition. The participants expressed that the five-day training had not only improved their professional literacy but also enhanced their teamwork and leadership abilities. They unanimously agreed that this training was not an end point but a new starting point for their professional growth, and they pledged to apply what they had learned and continue to contribute to the development of the nutrition field. Additionally, the participants have formed deep friendships and established extensive cooperation networks. It is believed that in the future, these participants will become leading figures in the field of nutrition, collectively advancing the prosperity and development of the nutrition industry and guiding it towards new heights.

Micronutrient Forum Webinar: Making Food Fortification Work

The Micronutrient Forum and the Millers for Nutrition (M4N) Coalition will host a webinar on 13 August 2026 exploring practical approaches to strengthening food fortification programmes and expanding access to fortified foods.

Drawing on experiences from Nigeria, Kenya and India, the webinar will share lessons from the M4N Coalition, which has engaged more than 500 millers across Africa and Asia to improve fortification compliance, expand access to fortified foods and strengthen incentives for private-sector participation.

The session will also explore approaches including fortification quality indices and expanding fortified rice into voluntary markets and through private-sector engagement.

Date: 13 August 2026
Time: 3:00 PM CEST

REGISTER NOW

Nutrition Without Borders: 80 Years of IUNS – Task Forces in Focus

Welcome back to the IUNS 80th anniversary series, “Nutrition Without Borders: 80 Years of IUNS”.

Task Forces in Focus: How IUNS Tackles Emerging Nutrition Challenges 

One of the distinctive ways the IUNS advances nutrition science is through its Task Forces. Bringing together experts from different countries and disciplines, these groups provide a platform for international collaboration on emerging or under-addressed nutrition challenges. By connecting researchers, clinicians, educators and practitioners, Task Forces help translate scientific knowledge into practical action while strengthening global research networks. 

Over the past eight decades, IUNS Task Forces have addressed a wide range of topics reflecting the changing priorities of nutrition science. Some have focused on disease prevention and treatment, others on sustainable food systems, Indigenous knowledge, nutrition capacity development or new scientific methodologies. While it is not possible to highlight every Task Force in this story, the examples below illustrate the breadth of approaches through which IUNS supports global nutrition research and collaboration.  

Some of the Task Forces highlighted below have now completed their formal IUNS mandate. Several continue their work independently, reflecting how IUNS‑initiated collaborations often evolve into long‑standing scientific networks. 

Building international research networks 

Some Task Forces create global scientific communities around emerging areas of nutrition research. 

The International Collaboration on Nutrition in relation to Cancer (ICONIC) Task Force is one such example. ICONIC brings together researchers, clinicians, dietitians and public health professionals working at the intersection of nutrition and cancer. Building on earlier international collaborations, ICONIC aims to strengthen research, education and professional networks across countries. 

Its activities have included supporting nutrition education and research capacity in Africa and other resource-limited settings, encouraging collaboration between oncology and nutrition professionals, and promoting the integration of nutrition throughout the cancer care pathway from prevention and treatment to survivorship. Through workshops, collaborative projects and international partnerships, ICONIC demonstrates how coordinated scientific networks can accelerate progress in an increasingly important area of health.  

Originally established as an IUNS Task Force, ICONIC continues its collaborative work independently. 

Connecting science with culture and traditional knowledge

Nutrition science is strengthened not only by laboratory research, but also by understanding how people eat within their cultural and environmental contexts. 

The Traditional and Indigenous Food Systems and Nutrition Task Force has worked to document and promote the nutritional value of traditional food systems around the world. Its work highlights the importance of biodiversity, Indigenous knowledge and locally adapted food practices in supporting healthy and sustainable diets. 

The Task Force has produced a series of publications documenting diverse Indigenous food systems across different regions, organised international symposia and webinars, and developed policy briefs that encourage governments and international organisations to recognise Indigenous food systems within nutrition and food policies. In doing so, it demonstrates how scientific research and traditional knowledge can complement one another in addressing contemporary nutrition challenges. 

Although no longer an active IUNS Task Force, the Traditional and Indigenous Food Systems group has continued publishing and convening internationally. 

Developing new approaches for emerging challenges 

As nutrition science evolves, so too do the questions researchers seek to answer. 

The Sustainable Diets Task Force explores how dietary recommendations can support both human and planetary health. Its work recognises that healthy diets should also consider environmental sustainability, cultural acceptability and local food systems. By developing indicators and methodological approaches, the Task Force contributes to a growing evidence base for integrating sustainability into nutrition research and policy. 

The Sustainable Diets Task Force completed its formal IUNS term but its methodological work remains influential.

Innovation also extends to how nutrition outcomes are measured. The Towards a Multidimensional Index of Child Growth Task Force is developing broader ways to understand children’s growth and development. Rather than relying solely on traditional anthropometric indicators, the initiative explores additional dimensions of child well-being, participation and equity. This work reflects the evolving understanding that child growth is influenced by multiple biological, social and environmental factors.  

The Multidimensional Index of Child Growth initiative began as an IUNS Task Force and continues to develop its framework beyond the formal Task Force period. 

A collaborative model for advancing nutrition science 

Although each Task Force has its own objectives, they share a common purpose: bringing together expertise from different countries and disciplines to address complex nutrition challenges that no single institution or nation can solve alone. 

Some Task Forces generate new scientific evidence. Others strengthen research capacity, develop methodologies, facilitate international partnerships or help translate knowledge into practice. Together, they demonstratehow IUNS serves as a global convener of nutrition science. 

The examples highlighted here represent only a small selection of the many Task Forces that have contributed to the work of IUNS over the years. They include both current Task Forces and former groups whose collaborations have continued beyond their formal IUNS mandate. This ongoing activity reflects the Union’s role in catalysing scientific networks that often persist long after IUNS funding ends. Collectively, current and former Task Forces demonstrate IUNS’s enduring commitment to international scientific collaboration and its ability to respond to emerging nutrition priorities as they evolve. 

As global nutrition challenges become increasingly interconnected, this collaborative model remains as important today as it was when IUNS was established nearly 80 years ago. 

To learn more about current and past IUNS Task Forces, visit the IUNS website. 

Celebrating 80 Years of IUNS: Applications Open Now for the Inaugural Jo Hautvast Nutrition Leadership Award

As part of the celebrations marking the 80th Anniversary of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS), IUNS is pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural IUNS Jo Hautvast Nutrition Leadership Award, with applications opening from today (2 July 2026).

Established in honour of Professor Jo Hautvast, the new award recognises individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and made significant contributions to the advancement of nutrition science and its application to improve health and well-being. The award reflects IUNS’s enduring commitment to fostering excellence and supporting leaders who are shaping the future of nutrition worldwide.

The introduction of this prestigious award is one of the initiatives commemorating 80 years of IUNS leadership in promoting nutrition science and international collaboration. Researchers, educators, policymakers, and professionals whose work has had a substantial impact at the national, regional, or global level are encouraged to apply.

Detailed information on eligibility criteria, requirements, and the selection process is available here.

For any questions regarding the award or the application process, please contact the IUNS Office at office@iuns.org.

Applications will be accepted through the online application only. Submissions by email or other means will not be considered.

Apply Now

IUNS–FANUS Joint Webinar 2026 Recordings Now Available

We are pleased to announce that the recordings of the IUNS–FANUS Joint Webinar 2026, held on 2–3 June 2026, are now available to watch on the IUNS website.

The webinar series brought together researchers, academics, healthcare professionals, and students from around the world to explore current topics in nutrition science through a programme of expert presentations and discussions.

Whether you joined us live and would like to revisit the sessions, or were unable to attend every presentation, you can now access the full webinar recordings at your convenience.

Watch the webinar recordings here

IUNS extends its sincere thanks to all speakers, moderators, participants, and FANUS for their valuable contributions and support in making this webinar a success.

We hope you enjoy the recordings and look forward to welcoming you to future IUNS events.

Nutrition Without Borders: 80 Years of IUNS – Turning Science into Global Action

Welcome back to the IUNS 80th anniversary series, “Nutrition Without Borders: 80 Years of IUNS”.

Addressing today’s nutrition challenges requires more than scientific discovery alone. Turning evidence into meaningful action demands collaboration across countries, disciplines, and sectors. The IUNS Task Forces are one of the organisation’s key mechanisms for translating nutrition science into coordinated global action. 

Task Forces are established to address nutrition-related issues that require international cooperation and collective expertise. Their focus is intentionally forward-looking, concentrating on current and emerging challenges that may be under-recognised, insufficiently addressed, or too complex to be tackled by any single institution, discipline, or country alone. Through these collaborative groups, IUNS helps advance knowledge, foster partnerships, and support practical solutions to pressing nutrition concerns. 

Purpose and Structure 

Task Forces are selected at the beginning of each IUNS Council term and may operate for up to four years. This structure provides a defined period during which each group can identifypriorities, build collaborations, undertake activities, and develop outputs that contribute to nutrition science, policy, and practice. 

The current portfolio of Task Forces reflects the diversity and complexity of contemporary nutrition challenges. Areas of focus include conflict-related food and nutrition insecurity, ultra-processed foods, Indigenous peoples’ food sovereignty and wellbeing, territorial diets, and nutrition research priorities in Asia. 

Learn more about IUNS Task Forces 2025 – 2029

Breadth and Legacy

While current Task Forces focus on emerging priorities, the Task Force archive demonstrates the breadth of issues that have been addressed across previous Council terms. 

Over the years, Task Forces have examined topics including dietary quality, evidence-based nutrition, nutritional epidemiology, technology and nutrition, malnutrition prevention and control, nutrition transition, long-term health, nutrition translation, sustainable diets, Indigenous peoples’ food systems, dietary fat quality, micronutrient interventions, child growth and development, and international food data systems. 

Together, these activities reflect the broad scope of nutrition science and its connections with health, food systems, culture, sustainability, equity, and public policy. They also illustrate the IUNS mission to advance nutrition science, research, and development through international cooperation and to encourage communication and collaboration among nutrition scientists worldwide. 
 

Impact and Looking Ahead 

As nutrition challenges become increasingly interconnected with issues such as conflict, climate change, food systems transformation, urbanisation, and growing health inequities, international collaboration has never been more important. 

Task Forces provide a flexible mechanism for identifying emerging priorities, strengthening global partnerships, and generating knowledge that can inform research, policy, and practice. By bringing together expertise from different regions and disciplines, they help ensure that nutrition science remains responsive to evolving global needs and relevant across diverse contexts. 

Through this work, IUNS Task Forces contribute to healthier populations, more resilient food systems, and a more sustainable and equitable future. 

How do IUNS Task Forces translate collaboration into action? In next month’s feature, Task Forces in Focus — How IUNS Tackles Emerging Nutrition Challenges, we will take a closer look at selected Task Forces and their activities, illustrating how these expert groups contribute to addressing some of the most pressing nutrition challenges facing communities around the world today. 

Strengthening Global-African Collaboration: Reflections on the IUNS-FANUS Joint Webinar 2026

Article written by Dr Robert Fungo, current President of the Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS)

The IUNS-FANUS Joint Webinar 2026 marked a significant milestone in fostering meaningful scientific exchange between the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) and the Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS). Held over two days on 2–3 June 2026, the event attracted overwhelming interest, with registration closing early due to high demand. It built directly on the success of the inaugural regional webinar in March 2025, responding to feedback from IUNS Adhering Bodies calling for deeper, more substantive engagement across regions and disciplines.

The planning process exemplified responsive and participatory collaboration. IUNS and FANUS leadership drew on insights from previous events and member societies to shape the programme. A registration process invited participant input on topics, allowing the community to help prioritise emerging issues. This survey-driven approach ensured relevance, blending global perspectives with Africa-centered solutions. Under my leadership at FANUS and IUNS representatives, the team curated a balanced agenda that moved seamlessly from problem analysis to evidence-based action. Moderators, including Dr. Fungo, Dr. Habiba Hassan-Wassef, and Prof. Francis Bruno Zotor, played a pivotal role in facilitating dynamic discussions.

Day 1 focused on “Understanding the Nutrition Challenge,” examining the evolving burden of malnutrition in all its forms-micronutrient deficiencies, obesity, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs)-within shifting food environments. Speakers such as IUNS President Prof. Hyun-Sook Kim, Dr. Saskia Osendarp (Micronutrient Forum), Dr. Yunhee Kang, and Tunisian specialists Prof. Henda Jamoussi and Dr. Rym Ben Othman shared cutting-edge evidence on determinants, dietary transitions, and policy implications. Participants gained nuanced insights into how global trends intersect with local African realities.

Day 2 shifted to “Evidence for Actions to Address the Problems,” emphasising translation into practice. Sessions covered ultra-processed foods and food systems transformation (addressed by Prof. Amos Laar and Prof. Jacques Delarue), nutrition and cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (addressed by Prof. Alan Jackson), mycotoxin food safety risks (addressed by Prof. Sheila Okoth and Dr. Lindy Joy Rose), and the design and scaling of school feeding programmes, featuring experts like Kwadzanai Nyanungo and Dr. Jacqueline Kung’u. Discussions highlighted practical innovations, partnerships (including contributions from Mr Francois Stepman), and the role of resilient systems in sustainable development.

One of the webinar’s greatest strengths was its emphasis on interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder dialogue. Attendees from researchers and academics to policymakers and practitioners, engaged actively through Q&A sessions, fostering connections that extend beyond the event. My closing remarks on Day 2 underscored the importance of translating evidence into tangible improvements in nutrition outcomes across Africa, reinforcing FANUS’s commitment to capacity building and leadership.

The process from idea gathering to delivery revealed key lessons: community input via surveys enhances ownership; balanced global-African speaker representation enriches perspectives; and structured progression from analysis to action sustains engagement. Challenges such as high demand and time-zone coordination were managed effectively through accessible virtual formats. Overall, the IUNS-FANUS webinar demonstrated the power of partnership in advancing nutrition science. It not only disseminated knowledge but also inspired collaborative action toward resilient health systems. As participants carry forward these insights, the event stands as a model for future regional initiatives, strengthening the global nutrition community’s ability to address pressing challenges with context-specific African solutions.

New Global Framework on Adolescent Nutrition Calls for Coordinated Action and Youth Engagement

A new global framework on adolescent nutrition has been released by the Global Adolescent Nutrition Network (GANN) in collaboration with youth partners, including Act4Food. The co-created framework aims to address the growing “triple burden” of malnutrition affecting adolescents worldwide—undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight/obesity.

Unlike previous approaches, this framework was developed with direct input from young people and takes a multi-level perspective. It outlines coordinated action across four levels: adolescents themselves, their immediate environments such as schools and communities, national systems including policies and services, and broader global and planetary health systems. The goal is to provide a more integrated and actionable roadmap for governments, donors, researchers, and civil society to improve adolescent nutrition outcomes.

The framework highlights the importance of meaningful youth engagement in shaping nutrition policies and interventions. For more details and the full context of the initiative, please visit here.

ANH Academy Science‑Policy Fellowships 2026–27: Call for Applications

The Agriculture, Nutrition & Health (ANH) Academy has opened applications for the second round of its Science‑Policy Fellowships for 2026–27, offering a unique opportunity for researchers to translate scientific evidence into actionable policy. These one‑year, full‑time Fellowships aim to support evidence‑based policy decisions that increase access to healthy diets and reduce food loss and waste in Sub‑Saharan Africa and South Asia. 

Up to three Fellows will be selected to work with both a Policy Mentor from a public sector organisation and a Research Mentor from an academic or research institution, tailoring research to inform real‑world decision‑making. Fellows will spend significant time embedded within a policy organisation, strengthening ties between science and policy processes. 

Applications are open now and must be submitted by 28 February 2026. Fellowships will begin between June and December 2026, and each award includes a competitive stipend of £52,600 to support the Fellow for the 12‑month period. 

Candidates with a doctoral degree in agriculture, nutrition, health or related fields are encouraged to apply, especially early‑career scientists and those connected to institutions in the targeted regions. 

Please visit here for more information. 

Celebrating Emerging Voices in Nutrition: IUNS Early Career Travel Grant Reception at IUNS-ICN Paris

This year, the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) proudly awarded 21 exceptional early-career researchers with the IUNS Early Career Travel Grant, supporting their travel to the IUNS-ICN in Paris to present their work on the global stage.

With hundreds of applications submitted from around the world, the selection process was highly competitive. The final recipients stood out for the quality, originality, and relevance of their abstracts—representing the very best of emerging research in nutrition science and public health.

Honouring Excellence at IUNS-ICN

During the congress, IUNS formally recognised these early-career researchers in nutrition through a dedicated segment in the awards ceremony and a special reception evening. The event celebrated not only their scientific contributions but also their potential to shape the future of global nutrition.

A Night to Remember

The reception was held at the stunning rooftop bar of the Hyatt Regency Etoile, offering panoramic views of Paris and a warm atmosphere for networking and celebration. We were delighted to be joined by Taichi Inui and colleagues from DSM-Firmenich, whose generous sponsorship made the event possible, as well as members of the IUNS Council.

The Future of Nutrition is Bright

As the reception ended, the energy in the room was great—a genuine feeling of inspiration, new connections, and shared goals. The IUNS Council and all attendees were truly impressed by the dedication and important work of these grant recipients. These 21 researchers are not just presenting their research; they are bringing forward the innovative solutions and critical ideas needed to handle the world’s challenges in nutrition and public health.

We offer our sincere congratulations again to all recipients of the IUNS Early Career Travel Grant. Your commitment to advancing nutrition science is inspiring, and we wish you every success as you turn your crucial research into real-world action. IUNS is proud to have supported your journey to the IUNS-ICN in Paris. We look forward to many more opportunities to support and help the next generation of global nutrition leaders in the years ahead.