FMFH Regional Workshop for Latin America and the Caribbean
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, March 2004

The Food and Nutrition Division (ESN) of FAO and the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet) jointly organized a Regional Workshop for Latin America and the Caribbean on "Feeding Minds, Fighting Hunger". The workshop took place in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic from 24-26 March, 2004. Participants from 17 countries,* in the Region attended the Workshop, including the UNESCO ASPnet National Coordinators, nutritionists and nutrition educators, curriculum developers, and, in some cases, representatives from Ministries of Health and Education.

The workshop objectives were to: review the experiences in the Region using the AMCH lessons; discuss the appropriateness and potential use of the materials in participating countries; explore the best ways to introduce, adapt and implement the initiative as widely as possible within the Region; and to develop a regional and country-level strategy for follow-up.

Participants endorsed the FMFH initiative, and clearly indicated that the lessons and materials are valuable for introducing the topics of hunger and malnutriton in schools in the LAC Region. Suggestions were made for the further enhancement of the materials, and a wide variety of strategies and activities to promote awareness and implementation were suggested. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of developing national partnerships and alliances, including establishing links between ASPnet National Co-ordinators and local UN representations. The need to mobilize resources to support national implementation, particularly for reproducing FMFH and other nutrition education materials, and for national activities, was stressed, and FMFH Partners were strongly urged to provide support to assist countries in teaching the lessons in their schools. A follow-up plan is being developed to facilitate implementation in participating countries.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Appropriateness and usefulness of FMFH materials and initiative

  1. Participants endorsed the FMFH initiative and concurred that the materials are valuable, appropriate and useful for introducing the topics of hunger and malnutrition in schools in Latin America and the Caribbean. The overall approach, presentation, format, language and content are suitable for teachers to use at all levels.
  2. Participants recommended that the materials be adapted in each country to meet local needs and circumstances. This should be based on the experiences and recommendations of teachers working directly with the materials in their classrooms and could involve health, education and agriculture professionals, as well as the community.
  3. The materials can be further enhanced through: greater elaboration of the basic concepts; developing additional supporting materials such as glossary of key terminology; and additional resource materials on nutrition.
  4. Training of teachers in the use of the materials and evaluation of impact in schools where the materials are being used were identified as fundamental to successful use and implementation.
  5. Sufficient print-version copies are needed in order to use the materials widely in schools in participating countries. It was recommended that FAO provide sufficient materials to implement the initiative in all ASPnet schools.
  6. In most countries in the Region, schools have little IT capacity and limited access to computers. Materials need to be provided in print form, CDs, and video cassettes. Support is needed for expanding IT capacity.

Implementation and integration of the FMFH initiative into the national education agenda: strategies to promote implementation in countries

  1. Participants agreed that a range of partners within each country, in addition to schools, need to be involved in the promotion and implementation, including NGOs, the media, curriculum developers, ministries of education, health and agriculture and the private sector.
  2. The ASPnett schools provide an opportunity to use and promote the FMFH materials and initiative and these schools should be introduced to the materials and encouraged to begin using them.
  3. A wide variety of strategies and activities were suggested to promote awareness and implementation, such as:
    • sensitizing the media
    • public information campaigns (leaflets, posters, flying)
    • school competitions
    • national seminars
    • organizing public events
    • forming national committees
  4. Existing events and activities, such as UN Days, agricultural fairs, national events and celebrations, be capitalized on as an opportunity to inform and promote the public on FMFH and health and nutrition issues.
  5. The annual World Food Day could be used as an occasion around which to organize a variety of activities for the schools and the public. A national nutrition week for the schools could be launched around 16 October.
  6. National alliances and partnerships are important for successful implementation. Links to local UN representations need to be established.
  7. Efforts are needed to mobilise resources for reproducing FMFH and other nutrition education materials and for supporting related events and activities. The public and the private sector can make important contributions.

* Participating Countries: Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Perù, Republica Dominicana, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela