Global Nutrition Report: Stakeholder Group Meeting Monday 1 September 1-2Pm (UK Time)

Global Nutrition Report: Stakeholder Group meeting – Monday 1 September 1-2pm (UK time)

Chairs: Edith Mkawa/ Jane Edmondson

See attendance list below.

Key points:

1. Welcome to John Cordaro – from Mars – who is part of the SUN Business Network.

2. Comments on the draft report and communications strategy circulated to the group on August 17.

Update on comments received to date Lawrence confirmed that he had received 28 sets of comments and one set from the Lancet reviewers and awaiting another 2 set of reviews. Comments fall into 7 broad categories: i. factual errors, ii. flow and length iii. balance/coverage; iv. issues; v. N4G and more of so-what does this all mean? vi. to introduce specific time-bound actions; vii. tailoring report to audience and more user friendly language.

Clarification of deadlines for next draft report: There are two further opportunities for comments/review of the next iteration of the report  Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 September  Friday 12 September – mainly the executive summary

Topline comments from each SG member on report, comms strategy and comms work. Overall the SG was supportive of the excellent piece of work, and thanked the IEG for the draft available in record time.

Summary of topline comments/suggestions  Make as readable as possible: use chapter titles to communicate the message or conclusions of the chapter to lead people in  Link evidence to analysis  Improve balance between under- and over- nutrition  Need to add more on “food systems” which is dysfunctional: possibly Chapter 1. The report talks about food security but does not address the food system issue or the importance of the nutrition transition.  Weak in identifying monitoring of programmes and the global database on nutrition actions  Not all commitments are equal: could the relevance/expected impact of commitments be addressed better?  Global WHA targets report addresses 4 out of the 6 targets – but also need to see the linkages with breastfeeding and overweight – ensure adequate focus even in absence of coverage data (which can help to emphasise data gaps).  Use the report to better flag Brazil N4G Summit in 2016 as a rally call for action (2 years to achieve progress and to rally greater commitments)  Strengthen the tone in the comms strategy to highlight that this is an authoritative report to be used as centre piece and roadmap for policy makers in all fields across health, education and other sectors.  Keep in mind target audience: finance ministers and senior staffers (as the report is dense even for specialists!).  Strengthen the pieces on accountability, including across sectors  Sharpen comments and recommendations with specific actions (SMART) including regarding data weaknesses  Would it be possible to create chapters on specific actions for sectors (e.g. business, CSOs).  It’s complex and long  Can you add more visuals alongside figures to bring it alive  Concerns about the donor financial data (a written note on donor methodology will be sent through)  The challenges of anaemia could be better flagged  Information on coverage and methods of coverage surveys between countries would be useful  Accountability focusses on budgets of governments and donors, but also very important to focus on the key question: are we getting results/impact

Lawrence thanked the SG for its very useful contribution and comments. The communications plan will be strengthened as the key messages of the report emerge.

New data from India: A new rapid national survey from India supported by UNICEF and WHO which appears to provide some new exciting evidence suggesting that there has been rapid reductions in stunting 48% to 38% and in wasting from 20% to 8% since the 2005/6 data. Lawrence proposed that these data could be included in the report as summary panel (not as part of the main report) as an indication of the early results of this survey which have not yet been reviewed. If the results are then verified early next year the country report for India could be updated. There were no objections from the SG to this approach.

The chair invited SG members to send any additional comments on the communications strategy or branding note or draft report to Lawrence by September 5 th .

3. Side event – draft circulated on August 4th for review Michael Anderson expressed disappointment that the GNR and GHI events were merged and could risk diluting the messages. He proposed that a ‘pre-launch’ event at the Global Gathering would provide a great opportunity to showcase the report and provide additional focus on the data to engaged audience. There was general support from the SG, but the need to engage the SUN Secretariat soon, and to avoid undermining the main launch was highlighted. ACTION: any additional comments to be circulated by email and we need to get the view from the SUN Secretariat (which may have left the call by this time).

The chair reminded the SG that the IEG and IFPRI the event organisers are looking for support to secure high level speakers for the event. Please can you let IFPRI know if you can help.

4. Next call – Monday October 6th, 1pm UK time.

Attendees Jane Edmondson (GNR co-chair) Edith Mkawa (GNR co-chair) Dr Ferew Lemma (Ethiopia) Florence Lascancles on behalf of Dr David Nabarro (UNSG’s office, SUN) Dr Francesco Branca (WHO) Dr Werner Schultink (UNICEF) Dr Martin Bloem (WFP) Dr Anna Lartey (FAO) Michael Anderson (CIFF) Birgit, on behalf of Marc Van Ameringen (GAIN, SUN Business Network) Tom Arnold (Concern, SUN CSO Network)

Lucy Sullivan (1000 days, SUN CSO Network).

Shawn Baker (Gates Foundation, SUN Donor Network) John Cordaro (Mars) Lawrence Haddad (IDS) IEG co-chair Unable to join Minister Milton Rondo (Brazil) Dr Jésus Búlux (Guatemala) Abdoulaye Ka (Senegal) Ibu Nina (Indonesia) – apologies M Aslam Shaheen (Pakistan) – problems with the telephone connection Dr Chris Osa Isokpunwu (Nigeria) Jean-Pierre Halkin (EC, SUN Donor Network) Jennifer Goosen (SUN Donor Network) Kate Houston (Cargill) Srinath Reddy (IEG co-chair)