The Measurement, Evaluation, Accountability and Leadership Support for NCDs prevention Project (MEALS4NCDs Project), the African Food Environment Research Network (FERN) and other African Regional Actors (including the African Population and Health Research Center, Réseau de Recherche sur les Politiques et les Systèmes Alimentaires en Afrique de l’Ouest”, African Nutrition Society, Federation of African Nutrition Societies, Coalition of Actors for Public Health Advocacy, International Food Policy Research Institute’s Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health, Rockefeller Foundation’s Food Systems Transformative Integrated Policy, Agriculture, Nutrition and Health Academy, the Chronic Diseases Initiative for Africa, and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) are co-convening an Independent Food Systems Dialogue – virtually on May 26th 2021 (12:00 to 15.00 GMT). This is in response to the current calls for food systems transformation. The food system has been defined as, the “entire range of actors and their interlinked value-adding activities involved in the production, aggregation, processing, distribution, consumption and disposal of food products that originate from agriculture, forestry or fisheries, and parts of the broader economic, societal and natural environments in which they are embedded” (FAO, 2013). Currently, the global food system is unable to provide sustainable healthy diets for all – posing serious threat to all life and systems of planet earth and the planet itself. Transformative actions are urgently needed.
Themed “Re-imagining Africa’s Food Systems Transformation through Data, Advocacy, and Leadership”, the event will offer a platform for diverse food systems sectors and stakeholders to exchange ideas and reflect on the challenges and opportunities for transforming the African food systems. Participants will deliberate on the role of data (measurements and evaluations), advocacy, accountability, governance, and leadership in reimagining the African food systems. Reimagining Africa’s food system is re-imagining Africa’s food future, and ultimately, Africa’s future. Thus, this and other food systems transformative efforts will contribute to the Africa we want by 2030! 2063! & beyond.
The dialogue will take place virtually. It will be interactive, and intense – through the use of small group discussions. To be organised around three thematic areas, each thematic area is expected to have about 15-20 participants address pre-identified questions.
The Convenors of the Dialogue are honoured to have Professor Anna Lartey of University of Ghana (immediate past Director of Nutrition at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and Dr. Namukolo Covic of International Food Policy Research Institute (current president of the African Nutrition Society) as curators.
The Dialogue is open to participants by invitation. Thus, interested prospective participants will have to visit the event webpage here and pre-register for participation confirmation. You may also contact the MEALS4NCDs/FERN Secretariat if you have questions. Partial livestreaming (of the opening and framing session) will be done on the MEALS4NCDS Facebook. The MEALS4NCDs Prevention Project is funded by the Canada International Development Research Centre (IDRC-Canada).
