Hot topic seminar: Nutrition research in the context of meeting the Sustainable Development Goals

L4NUTRI

13 novembre 2019

16:00 - 18:15

The objectives of the seminar are to stimulate reflection and discussion among young researchers, in particular PhD students working in all domains of nutrition science, on how their research fits within the broad framework of the SDGs and how it may contribute to meeting one or more of the SDGs .

Introduction

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the key global challenges we face today, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change, prosperity, peace and justice. The SDGs build on the Millennium Development Goals and consist of a Declaration, 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which interconnect, 169 targets, and a framework for review and follow-up. The SDGs went into effect on 1 January, 2016 with a target of meeting them by 2030. The SDGs commit all governments to comprehensive, integrated and universal policies and programmes to address these global challenges, while ensuring that no one is left behind.

Nutrition and the Sustainable Development Goals

“Nutrition is both a maker and a marker of development. Improved nutrition is the platform for progress in health, education, employment, empowerment of women and the reduction of poverty and inequality, and can lay the foundation for peaceful, secure and stable societies.”

Ban Ki-moon, United Nations 8th Secretary General

Without adequate investments in good nutrition, the SDGs will not be realized. The ambition to ‘End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture’ is included in SDG 2, however, at least 12 of the 17 Goals contain indicators that are very relevant to nutrition. Malnutrition results not just from a lack of sufficient and adequately nutritious and safe food, but from a multitude of interconnected factors linking health, care, education, water, sanitation and hygiene, access to food and resources, women’s empowerment and others.

Aims of the Seminar

The objectives of the seminar are to stimulate reflection and discussion among young researchers, in particular PhD students working in all domains of nutrition science, on how their research fits within the broad framework of the SDGs and how it may contribute to meeting one or more of the SDGs . The seminar is organized especially for young researchers and PhD students, but anyone else interested will be welcome to attend.

Call for PhD student reflection abstracts

All PhD students and other young researchers working in Belgium on nutrition are invited to submit a short reflection abstract (300words max) and one slide to briefly present their research topic and the way it fits within the broad framework of the SDGs. They also need to indicate one or more specific SDGs that are relevant to their work. Please note that the format of the abstract is a reflection piece and not a typical scientific abstract with methods and results. Deadline for abstract submission is 31/08/2019 and abstracts can be submitted to info@belgiannutritionsociety.be

The Belgian Nutrition Society will then select one abstract in each research domain and give the student the opportunity to present it during the seminar (max 10 minutes). Other abstract submitters will also get the opportunity to present the contribution of their research to the SDGs in one slide.

The three domains are as follows:

Basic Nutrition: molecular, genetic, biochemical, physiological and metabolic aspects, relating to the mechanisms of action and nutritional effects of food components, etc.

Clinical Nutrition:  relationships between nutrition and health in humans with acute and/or chronic diseases, at all ages, etc.

Applied Nutrition: relationship between nutrition and health and wellbeing of the general population, at all ages, nutrition policy, food production, nutrition and environmental sustainability, etc.

Venue

Room Storck, Eurostation, very near Bruxelles-Midi station

http://www.emploi.belgique.be/accessibilite/

16-18h15 with informal drinks afterwards

Programme Outline

16h00-16h10: Welcome and introduction

16h10-16h30: Nutrition and the Sustainable Development Goals -  Professor Olivier De Schutter, UCLouvain, International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems

16h30-17h00: Basic Nutrition: 1 full presentation, 1-slide presentations and discussion with the audience

17h00-17h30: Clinical Nutrition: 1 full presentation, 1-slide presentations and discussion with the audience

17h30-18h00: Applied Nutrition: 1 full presentation, 1-slide presentations and discussion with the audience

18h00-18h15: Wrap-up and closure

18h15: Informal drinks and networking