Second International NHF Workshop 2005   –        Hanoi, Vietnam

Household food and nutrition security in changing socio-economic conditions – Linking research to policies and programmes.

The workshop was held from May 1 to May 6, 2005 in Hanoi, Vietnam. The Workshop was hosted by the National Institute of Nutrition.

BACKGROUND

In Asia and in particular in Southeast Asia nutrition is in a rapid process of transition. Urban areas are characterised by changing food habits, food culture and consumption patterns. Together with nutritional deficiencies in the slums, over nutrition can be found among the emerging middle-income groups. Likewise socio-economic conditions in the rural areas are changing. An increasing number of rural households have insufficient access to land and other resources. Food security at household level as well as malnutrition continue to be of great concern. However, during the last ten years much progress has been made in improving household food security. On the other hand knowledge and insight in socio-economic processes affecting household food security remain scanty.

OBJECTIVES OF THE WORKSHOP

The objectives of the workshop were:

• Bring together NHF supported researchers and some relevant professionals from Southeast Asia;
• Discuss the state of the art of socio-economic research in relation to household food and nutrition security in changing socio-economic conditions;
• Give researchers the opportunity to develop their presentation and writing skills, or to prepare a poster based on their own research data;
• Exchange research experiences, including those with regard to practical fieldwork and methodological issues;
• Promote interdisciplinary work and research related to food and nutrition;
• Discuss the linking of research results with policies and programmes.

CENTRAL THEMES

The themes of the workshop were:

1. Changing socio-economic conditions: nutrition in transition in rural and urban areas;
2. Household food security and nutrition of vulnerable groups; and
3. Socio-economic dimensions of nutrition interventions.

REPORT

Researchers and other professionals, supported by the Neys-van Hoogstraten Foundation (NHF), presented a paper about their study or a poster about their research. For abstracts see: Report workshop 2005.