1. African Nutrition Graduate Students Network Report To the Capacity Development Working Group of the 33 rd SCN March 15, 2006 AFRICAN GRADUATE NUTRITION STUDENTS NETWORK Contributing together to better health and nutrition in Africa

2. 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

3. 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

4. Inaugural Conference AFRICAN GRADUATE NUTRITION STUDENTS NETWORK Contributing together to better health and nutrition in Africa

5. 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

6. Inaugural Conference AFRICAN GRADUATE NUTRITION STUDENTS NETWORK Contributing together to better health and nutrition in Africa

7. 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 ANLP AFRICAN GRADUATE NUTRITION STUDENTS NETWORK Contributing together to better health and nutrition in Africa

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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