India
The National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) hosted an intercountry workshop on Feeding Minds, Fighting Hunger jointly organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), through its Associated School Project Network (ASPnet). The workshop was held at the NIN in Hyderabad, from 27-29 August 2002, with participants from the education and nutrition sectors from 6 countries attending: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, The Philippines and Sri Lanka.
The aim of the workshop was to evaluate the relevance, appropriateness and usefulness of the FMFH materials for Asian countries, examine ways to introduce and promote the FMFH lessons into schools and curricula in each of the participating countries, and to develop proposals for World Food Day activities based on FMFH issues. Each of the participating countries developed a plan of action for implementing the FMFH initiative.
The (NIN), through its Extension and Training Division, has undertaken a pilot study using the FMFH materials in selected schools in the old city of Hyderabad. Working through the NGO Confederation of Voluntary Associations (COVA), classes from 5 schools and including 75 students were selected to elicit teachers' opinions on the FMFH materials, to provide input for adapting the materials to meet the needs of local school children, and to identify common teaching aids for use by teachers in all schools. Another aspect of the pilot study was to assess the current knowledge of both teachers and students on the issues of hunger and malnutrition covered in the FMFH materials. On the basis of this study, a proposal for larger-scale implementation of the FMFH materials is being prepared.
