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Speech delivered by Professor Tola Atinmo, Chairman, Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS) and Executive Council Member, International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS) at the opening ceremony of the 2002 South African Nutrition Congress held at the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, Potchefstroom, South Africa on Tuesday November 05, 2002 I consider a great honour and privilege to be invited to open this bi-annual nutrition congress of the South African Nutrition Society. It is my great pleasure to address this august gathering as chairman of the Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS) and on behalf of the President of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences,(IUNS) Professor Mark Wahlqvist of Australia. Mark was extremely delighted to be here in Potchefstroom last August and he would have loved to be present at this meeting but for a previous commitment. Professor Wahqvist sends his warm wishes to all participants.. I was privileged to attend the 1998 congress of your society in Sun City where I made many friends. Since that time I have always looked forward to your bi-annual congress. Again, it is a wonderful privilege to be here today. Indeed, the organization of your meeting has become a reference point for the rest of Africa to emulate. Your congress has become a pacesetter and it is a model My presence here today is significant for three reasons. The first one is to let you know that the rest of Africa and indeed the IUNS Council have great expectations about your capacity to organize the next International Congress of Nutrition otherwise known as ‘Durban 2005’. The African delegation to the 1997 International Nutrition Congress in Montreal, Canada had no difficulty in supporting South Africa’s bid for the hosting right. We worked very hard with your delegation to convince other delegations that you are capable of putting up a splendid performance. This is the first time that the congress will hold in sub-Saharan Africa and we look forward to a truly African presentation. Similarly, the IUNS is equally expectant and from the several briefings that have been presented to the IUNS Council, I believe that Durban 2005 will be the best IUNS Nutrition Congress ever. I must congratulate Professor Este Vorster and her team of LOC for a job well done so far.
The second reason for my presence at this congress is to share with you some information on recent positive development in nutrition organization within the region. I refer to the setting up of the Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS) at a meeting of representatives of these country associations in Nairobi in July 2002.The Federation is now affiliated to the IUNS and it will serve as the focal point for all country-based nutrition associations in the African continent. FANUS is patterned after similar bodies like SLAN in South America, FENS in Europe and FANS in Asia. Ladies and gentlemen; the South African Nutrition Society is a key player in the newly formed FANUS. We hope to use this body to mobilize all African Nutritionists to participate in Durban 2005.
The third reason is in connection with the recently concluded African Nutrition Leadership Programme.(ANLP) This programme was held in Parys, which is about one hour drive from Potchefstroom. It involved the training of 30 young African nutritionists in leadership skills, team building, communication and networking. The European Union is sponsoring the programme for the next four years and it is aimed at preparing these young nutritionists from all over Africa for leadership positions. I believe that it is not a mere coincidence that the first in the series of the training programme took place in South Africa. Indeed, the organizers are seriously considering running the second course in South Africa. As a member of the International Board of ANLP, I am more than convinced that the facilities for this training are abundantly available. I urge our young colleagues to take advantage of this generous support by the EU to apply for participation in the next edition of the programme. The comments from the 2002 participants showed that the training was successful and the atmosphere was very congenial.
Finally, my dear colleagues, the theme of this congress ‘Empowering Nutrition-Broadening our Horizons’ is more relevant now than ever before. We must continue to push forward and engage the science of nutrition in other to develop appropriate policies and strategies for the alleviation of poverty and the reduction in the prevalence of malnutrition in the communities we serve. Let us remain resolute in our determination to achieve the 2002 world summit goals of reducing undernutrition by 50 percent and virtual elimination of Vitamin A Deficiency and a significant reduction of the prevalence of anemia by the end of this decade. We as nutritionists cannot do it alone. We must build bridges and network with other strategic partners to achieve these goals.
The Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to open the bi-annual congress of the South African Nutrition to the glory of God and the benefit of mankind. I wish you well. Thank you
November 5, 2002
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