REGIONAL PARLIAMENTARY SEMINAR

Windhoek  Namibia
28-29 September 2015
Hosted by the Parliament of Namibia and organised jointly by the
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and
the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

Monday, 28 September
8.00 a.m. Registration of participants and distribution of documents
9.00a.m. INAUGURAL SESSION
�Hon. Prof. Peter Katjavivi, Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia
�Hon. Nthloi Motsamai, Speaker of the National Assembly of Lesotho, Representative of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU
�Ms. Micaela Marques de Sousa, Representative of UNICEF
�Hon. Christine Hoebes, Deputy Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister
�H.E. Dr. Nickey Iyambo, Vice President of the Republic of Namibia
9.30a.m. Coffee break and group photo
10.00a.m. PART I:
SIGNIFICANCE OF NUTRITION SECURITY FOR DEVELOPMENT
This session introduces Members of Parliament to the importance of nutrition security as a pro‑development intervention/policy/agenda, explains stunting and growth, and sensitises MPs to the cost of inaction. The session will include a summary of headline numbers on impact on GDP.
XXDefinition of problem and importance of Scaling Up Nutrition interventions XXImportance of investment in nutrition and first 1000 days
XXLink to economic development and poverty reduction
Panellists:
zzMr. Tom Arnold, Coordinator a.i. of the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement (SUN) zzMr. Lawrence Haddad, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research
Institute
Discussion
12.30 p.m. Lunch
2.00 p.m. PART II:
REGIONAL OVERVIEW: CHALLENGES AND EXISTING MECHANISMS/INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE NUTRITION
This session provides an overview of malnutrition and stunting rates in the region and will also highlight examples from countries in the region that have successfully lowered stunting rates or successfully expanded coverage, or pursued some course to advance nutrition.
XXMalnutrition in SADC and examples of success in the region XXPolicy change in the region
Panellists:
zzMs. Joan Matji, Nutrition Regional Advisor, UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa
Regional Office
zzDr. Vitalis Goodwell Chipfakacha, M.Sc Community Medicine Technical Advisor, SADC Secretariat
zzBrig. Gen. Dr. Brian Chituwo, Member of Parliament (Zambia)
Discussion
3.45 p.m. Coffee break

4.00 p.m. PART III: OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO NUTRITION
This session examines the reasons for the persistence of malnutrition (both stunting and obesity), and identifies what political, legislative, economic and other factors contribute to malnutrition. Discussion will also encompass Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and how WASH variables contribute to malnutrition.
XXStructural barriers: institutional, legal, economic, political and administrative factors that contribute to widespread malnutrition and stunting
XXPolitical will
XXLink to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
Panellists:
zzMr. Lawrence Haddad, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute
zzMr. Nahas Angula, Member of Parliament (Namibia) and Chairperson of the Namibia Alliance for Improved Nutrition
zzMs. Danisile Vilakati, Director of the Swaziland Nutrition Council zzMs. Ann Awori, Infant and Young Child Feeding Specialist
Discussion
6.00 p.m. Wrap-up of the debate and end of day one
7.00 p.m. Dinner
Tuesday, 29 September
8.30 a.m. Field visit
10.30 a.m. Coffee break
11.00 a.m. PART IV: PARLIAMENT’S ROLE IN ADVANCING NUTRITION
Parliaments can play multiple roles, including: adopting relevant legislation; helping to shape or oversee national plans; partnering with organisations or individuals in civil society to hold governments accountable; and ensuring that laws and policies are actually implemented. This session consists of two parts.
XXPro-nutrition legislation (including regulation of breast milk substitutes, maternity leave legislation, national plans, the agricultural sector and the food industries)
XXImplementation and oversight XXBudgeting for nutrition XXGood practices from the region
XXAlliances and collaboration (civil society actors and partners)
Panellists for Part A: Leveraging Parliament’s Powers zzMr. David Clark, Nutrition Specialist (Legal), UNICEF zzMr. David Ponet, Civil Society Partnerships, UNICEF
Panellists for Part B: Promising Practices and Opportunities from the Region
zzMr. Nahas Angula, Member of Parliament (Namibia) and Chairperson of the Namibia Alliance for Improved Nutrition
zzDr. Patrick Maesela, Member of Parliament (South Africa) zzMs. Silvia Tembo Masebo, Member of Parliament (Zambia)
Discussion
1.00 p.m. Lunch
2.30 p.m. PART V: TAKING A PRO-NUTRITION AGENDA FORWARD
XXBreak-out sessions / group exercise
XXPlenary discussion
Parliamentarians will identify three actions that they will take going forward.
5.00 p.m. CLOSING SESSION