African Nutrition Graduate Students Network Report

To the Capacity Development Working Group of the 33rd SCN

March 15, 2006

AFRICAN GRADUATE NUTRITION STUDENTS NETWORK

Contributing together to better health and nutrition in Africa

AGS-Net Objective

• building “social capacity” by – developing relations and networks– building the appropriate attitudes and

values– developing organizational skills– building trust amongst members – Exchanging ideas, information and

knowledge– providing a unified front to improving

nutrition on the continent AFRICAN GRADUATE NUTRITION STUDENTS NETWORK

Contributing together to better health and nutrition in Africa

AGS-Net Membership

Feb 2004• 49 members

– From 17 countries– Studying in 22

countries

Feb 2006• 133 members

– From 25 countries – Studying in 42

institutions

AFRICAN GRADUATE NUTRITION STUDENTS NETWORK

Contributing together to better health and nutrition in Africa

Inaugural Conference

AFRICAN GRADUATE NUTRITION STUDENTS NETWORK

Contributing together to better health and nutrition in Africa

Inaugural Conference

AFRICAN GRADUATE NUTRITION STUDENTS NETWORK

Contributing together to better health and nutrition in Africa

• Sponsors – UNU Food and Nutrition Program– International Nutrition Foundation (INF)– GTZ– Cornell University – Universite Cheick Anta Diop, Senegal– Wageningen University– Southampton University

Inaugural Conference

AFRICAN GRADUATE NUTRITION STUDENTS NETWORK

Contributing together to better health and nutrition in Africa

AGS-Net Activities

• Managing a database • Operating a web-based discussion • Confronting primary literature use in Africa

– Liaising with institutions to provide access to journals– Sharing program related information not found in

journals • Sharing of information

– Fellowships– Job opportunities– internships

• Organizing biennial Conferences to consolidate the web-based discussions (next in May, 2007)

• Complementing other CB in Africa such as ANLPAFRICAN GRADUATE NUTRITION STUDENTS NETWORK

Contributing together to better health and nutrition in Africa

AGS-Net Challenges

• Continuity and Sustainability– Leadership– Financial considerations

• Strategies– Recruitment– Maintenance

AFRICAN GRADUATE NUTRITION STUDENTS NETWORK

Contributing together to better health and nutrition in Africa

Renewed Call for Support

• Concentrate on developing networking, organizational skills, values, and attitudes

• Getting literature• Encourage the hiring of local and/or regional

African professionals to work in African countries

• Provide internship for nutrition graduate students

• Call for mentorship (consultancies and professional development) by pairing young and senior nutritionists.

AFRICAN GRADUATE NUTRITION STUDENTS NETWORK

Contributing together to better health and nutrition in Africa

Thank you.

http://www.unu.edu/capacitybuilding/foodnutrition/ags-

net/index

AFRICAN GRADUATE NUTRITION STUDENTS NETWORK

Contributing together to better health and nutrition in Africa