SEAMEO RECFON

Online Training on Nutrition and Health for School-age Children and Adolescents for Teachers and School/Madrasah in Indonesia through the Implementation of the Nutrition Goes to School (NGTS) Program

Admin PRP — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 07:48:23 +0000

Jakarta, 1 April 2026

SEAMEO RECFON, in collaboration with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, conducted the Online Training on Nutrition and Health for School-age Children and Adolescents 2026. On April 1, 2026, the program officially commenced with the opening ceremony and the first synchronous virtual learning session, attended by participants from various regions across Indonesia via Zoom and the Learning Management System (LMS). This training is part of efforts to expand access to capacity building for educators in supporting the implementation of balanced nutrition and healthy lifestyle behaviors within educational institutions.

The training was attended by 528 teachers and school principals from 33 provinces across Indonesia, with the aim of strengthening educators’ capacity to deliver nutrition and health education to students within their respective educational institutions. In addition, the training encourages participants to develop implementable and contextual Action Plans (Rencana Tindak Lanjut/RTL) based on the needs of their schools.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Herqutanto, MPH., MARS., Acting Director of SEAMEO RECFON, emphasized the importance of strengthening educators’ capacity to support the health of future generations. He stated, “This training has been conducted for the 11th time, and to date has produced approximately 5,500 alumni who contribute to strengthening human resource capacity toward Indonesia Emas 2045.” He also highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration in addressing challenges such as anemia, stunting, and obesity. “Teachers play a vital role as agents of change in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors, and we encourage concrete Action Plans (RTL) in schools,” he added.

Aligned with efforts to strengthen the role of educational institutions in creating environments that support student health, Dr. Poppy Dewi Puspitawati, Senior Widyaprada from the Directorate of Junior Secondary Schools, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen), stated in her keynote speech that “The transformation of schools into healthy environments should not only be reflected through classroom learning, but also through daily habits, shared mealtime experiences, and the strengthening of co-curricular and extracurricular activities. Nutrition education and Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (PHBS) must be fully integrated into the school ecosystem to foster sustainable healthy behaviors,” she said. She further added that “healthy adolescents will grow into healthy adults, therefore we need to continuously support children in maintaining their health.”

The training activities began with a learning commitment strengthening session led by Sari Kusuma, M.Gizi from SEAMEO RECFON, which introduced the learning flow and emphasized the importance of active participant engagement throughout the training process.

This was followed by Dr. Zainun Misbah, M.Sc from SEAMEO RECFON, who delivered a learning session titled “The Role of Educators as Role Models in the Successful Implementation of Nutrition and Health Programs in Schools/Madrasahs.” In his presentation, Dr. Zainun emphasized that the successful implementation of nutrition and health programs in educational institutions is strongly influenced by educators’ consistency in demonstrating behaviors that support healthy lifestyles for students.

At the end of the opening session, Dr. Luh Ade Ari Wiradnyani, Coordinator of the Nutrition Goes to School (NGTS) Program delivered a learning session titled “Nutrition and Health of School-age Children and Adolescents.” In her presentation, she highlighted several ongoing nutrition challenges, including anemia, stunting, and the increasing risk of overweight and obesity among adolescents. Responding to these conditions, she emphasized that prevention efforts must begin at school age, stating, “Ensuring balanced nutrition from school age is an important investment to support the health and productivity of future generations.”

As the training series continues through May 2026, this program is expected to further strengthen educators’ capacity to integrate nutrition and health education into learning activities and to create school environments that support healthy lifestyle behaviors. Through the development of concrete Action Plans, SEAMEO RECFON and its partners reaffirm their commitment to improving students’ health as a long-term investment toward achieving a healthier and more productive generation.

SEAMEO RECFON Launches ECCNE Program Extenders in Seven Locations

Admin PRP — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:46:34 +0000

Jakarta, 31 March 2026

SEAMEO RECFON officially conducted the initiation of the Early Childhood Care, Nutrition, and Education (ECCNE) Program Extenders 2026 through an Onboarding virtual session on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, marking a pivotal milestone in strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration across seven program locations i.e Bangka, Brebes, East Lombok, Pekalongan, Maros, Solok, and Sambas. The Extender Program assignment represents a concrete implementation of the institution’s commitment to follow up the outcomes of the ECCNE Master of Trainer (MoT) online training.

This initiation event was attended by various high-level stakeholders along with the entire program implementation team, including the Heads of Bappeda, Bapperida, or Bapelitbang, as well as the Heads of Education District Offices from the seven program locations or their representatives. This meeting also served as an opportunity to strengthen coordination between the MoT ECCNE 2026 Team and all academic partners, along with the Program Extenders who were recently selected through an intensive selection process, to ensure the creation of solid synergy between policymakers and technical implementers in the field.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Herqutanto, MPH, MARS, Sp.KKLP, Acting Director of SEAMEO RECFON, emphasized the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration to ensure the successful implementation of the program. “These Program Extender teams are expected to serve as catalysts for the implementation of the ECCNE Program Action Plan (RTL) that was developed by the MoT teams following the previous training, particularly for the beginning of this semester,” he said.

During the subsequent session, Dr. Umi Fahmida, ECCNE Program Coordinator at SEAMEO RECFON, presented an overview of the achievements of the MoT ECCNE 2026 training and highlighted the readiness of teams across the program locations to proceed with program implementation. At this event, the assignment period for the Program Extender participants over the next three months, from April 1 to June 30, 2026, was also highlighted. These participants are all selected local youth who have passed thorough administrative and qualification screenings. They will fill a strategic role as a bridge between the central and regional teams while providing technical support to ensure that all planned activities align with the program’s established objectives.

A ceremonial transfer of Program Extenders was symbolically performed from SEAMEO RECFON to the Heads of Bappeda or their representatives from seven program locations.The official acceptance of these Program Extenders was also confirmed through the submission of a Letter of Commitment signed by the Head of Bappeda from each program location. Highlighting this collaboration’s impact, the Regent of Maros stated, “Support and assistance of the ECCNE Program in Maros District are crucial to our efforts to reduce stunting and improve the nutritional status of our children. We are optimistic that this program will be successful, and we fully support the presence of this Program Extender.”

Through this initiation event, SEAMEO RECFON expects the Program Extenders to carry out their roles professionally and adaptively, contributing to the effective implementation of the ECCNE Program across program locations which will be started from 1st of April to the end of 30th of June 2026. This collective effort is expected to support continuous improvements in early childhood care, nutrition, and education services, ultimately benefiting young children and communities in the targeted areas.

SEAMEO RECFON Holds Workshop on the Strengthening Phase of the NGTW Program Implementation

Admin PRP — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 06:51:53 +0000

Jakarta, 11 March 2025

SEAMEO RECFON held an online Workshop on the Strengthening Phase of the Nutrition Goes to Workplace (NGTW) Program on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. This workshop was the beginning of a series of activities to strengthen and assist the implementation of the program at the workplace level, specifically in schools.

The NGTW Program is one of SEAMEO RECFON’s flagship programs aimed at improving the productivity and well-being of the working-age population through a nutrition and occupational health approach. In its implementation within the education sector, teachers and school staff members are considered as important role models in promoting a healthy lifestyle among students. Therefore, schools have been selected as one of the strategic focal points for the implementation of this program.

This workshop is a follow up to the training and workshops conducted in 2025, which were attended by schools participating in the program across the Jakarta, Bogor, and Depok areas. The outcome of these activities was the development of each school’s Action Plan for the NGTW Program, serving as an initial commitment to program implementation. Through this workshop, SEAMEO RECFON, together with its academic partners serving as the program mentoring team, namely Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof. Dr. Hamka (UHAMKA) and Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta (UPN Veteran Jakarta), developed strategies and defined roles to provide technical support and guidance to partner schools, in order to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of program implementation at the school level.

In her opening remarks, the Acting Deputy Director for Program of SEAMEO RECFON, Dr. Dwi Nastiti Iswarawanti, emphasized the importance of collaboration among institutions, academic partners, and implementing units in supporting the successful implementation of the NGTW Program. During the workshop, participants also conducted a review of the Action Plans that had been developed by partner schools, followed by discussions on the targets and number of schools to be mentored by each academic partner. In addition, participants discussed the implementation stages of the NGTW Program at the implementing unit level, including the criteria and indicators for each stage, as well as deliberations to agree on the monitoring tools and mentoring mechanisms to be applied throughout the program implementation process.

This activity resulted in several initial agreements between SEAMEO RECFON and its academic partners regarding the mentoring mechanisms and implementation indicators of the program at the implementing unit level. The outcomes of these discussions will serve as the foundation for the next meeting, which will involve partner schools to finalize their Action Plans and strengthen their commitment to implementing the Nutrition for Productivity Program within the school environment.

SEAMEO RECFON and Health Polytechnic of Malang Conduct the 2nd National Training on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) 2026

Admin PRP — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 02:33:18 +0000

Jakarta, 9-13 March

SEAMEO Regional Centre for Food and Nutrition (SEAMEO RECFON) in collaboration with the Health Polytechnic of Malang conducted the 2nd National Training on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) in 2026. The training was conducted online from 9 to 13 March 2026 and aimed to strengthen the capacity of professionals and practitioners in food safety management.

Through this collaboration, SEAMEO RECFON sought to contribute to the strengthening of food safety competencies in Indonesia. HACCP is widely recognized as an international system for identifying, evaluating, and controlling hazards that are critical to food safety. The training was therefore designed to enhance participants’ knowledge and practical skills in implementing HACCP principles within food processing and food service systems, while supporting national efforts to improve food safety standards. This training was conducted in alignment with the accredited curriculum titled “Food Safety Training Curriculum and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)”, developed by SEAMEO RECFON. The use of this standardized and accredited curriculum ensures that the training content meets recognized quality benchmarks and is delivered in a structured, competency-based manner.

A total of 30 participants from community health centers (Puskesmas), regional public hospitals (RSUD), and Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) in Ngawi and surrounding areas attended the training. All participants successfully completed the program, demonstrating the attainment of the expected learning outcomes as well as a strong commitment to strengthening food safety practices within their respective institutions.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Zainun Misbah, M.Sc., Acting Deputy Director for Administration of the SEAMEO RECFON, emphasized the importance of strengthening human resources in food safety through continuous training initiatives that have been conducted since 2025. He highlighted that food safety is a fundamental human right guaranteed by Law No. 36 of 2009 on Health. “Food that does not meet health standards must not be circulated, because safe food is the foundation of a healthy and productive society. Therefore, the HACCP approach is essential as a systematic preventive system to identify, assess, and control potential hazards throughout the food processing chain,” he explained.

Dr. T. Dra. Nurul Hakimah, SST, M.Kes, Vice Director I for Academic Affairs of the Health Polytechnic of Malang, also highlighted the importance of HACCP in ensuring food safety. She noted that Indonesia, as one of the largest food-producing countries, faces significant food safety risks. “Through this training, participants are expected to identify potential hazards, determine critical control points, and develop appropriate control procedures to ensure the safety of food products,” she stated.

As part of SEAMEO RECFON’s contribution to the training, Dr. Dwi Nastiti Iswarawanti, Acting Deputy Director for Program of the SEAMEO RECFON, served as one of the course coordinator and key speakers. During the training, she delivered several sessions covering Concepts and Issues in Food Safety, Seven Principles of HACCP, and Preparation of HACCP Design Documents and Follow-up Action Plans. These sessions provided participants with both conceptual understanding and practical guidance on food safety risk analysis and HACCP documentation development.

In addition to theoretical discussions, the training also emphasized applied learning through case studies and assignments. Participants worked collaboratively to analyze food safety hazards, develop Standard Sanitation Operating Procedures (SSOP), and prepare HACCP design documents, gaining hands-on experience in applying HACCP principles to real-world situations. The program was conducted fully online through platforms such as Zoom Meeting, Google Forms, and the Plataran Sehat Learning Management System (LMS), where participants actively engaged in sessions and completed assignments and presentations to obtain certification.

Through this initiative, SEAMEO RECFON reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional capacity in food safety and nutrition. The collaboration with Poltekkes Kemenkes Malang is expected to further support the implementation of international food safety standards and contribute to safer food systems across Indonesia.

HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS to Dr. dr. Brian Sri Prahastuti, M.P.H. as Deputy Director of Programme (2026-2028)

Admin PRP — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 04:22:01 +0000

We extend our warmest congratulations to Dr. dr. Brian Sri Prahastuti, M.P.H., on his official appointment as Deputy Director for Programme of SEAMEO RECFON (2026–2028). May this new role bring continued success in advancing programmes and initiatives that strengthen food, nutrition, and health across the region.

Wishing you every success in carrying out this important responsibility and in contributing to meaningful progress for communities in Southeast Asia.

#SEAMEORECFON

SEAMEO RECFON Highlights Integrated Biomarker Approach to Better Interpret Stunting and Anemia in Indonesia

Admin PRP — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 03:23:04 +0000

19 February 2026

The webinar and policy brief launch titled “Understanding Stunting and Anemia Holistically: Integrating Biomarker Panels for More Accurate Interpretation” was organized on 19 February 2026 via Zoom Meeting to strengthen stakeholders’ understanding of the importance of biomarkers in assessing nutritional status and informing evidence-based policy in Indonesia. The event gathered around 250 participants from various institutions and sectors nationwide and was part of the 15th Anniversary celebration of SEAMEO RECFON. The event also marked the launch of the policy brief “Indonesia Nutrition Survey (SGI) 2026”, which aims to support national efforts in strengthening nutrition surveillance and policy development. The policy brief can be accessed at (insert link).

In his opening remarks, Dr. dr. Herqutanto, MPH., MARS., Sp.KKLP, Acting Director of SEAMEO RECFON, highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach to address stunting and anemia in Indonesia, including the integration of nutrition biomarkers. He also acknowledged SEAMEO RECFON’s collaboration with the Integrated Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, and expressed appreciation to Prof. dr. Yusra, Sp.PK(K), Ph.D, Head of the Clinical Pathology Expert Working Group (UKK PPM) at the Integrated Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, for the continued partnership.

Dr. Ir. Umi Fahmida, M.Sc., Expert at SEAMEO RECFON, explained that anemia and iron deficiency are complex nutrition problems and cannot be accurately assessed using a single indicator such as hemoglobin. She highlighted that serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) help describe the spectrum of iron status, while C-reactive protein (CRP) and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) are needed to adjust for the effects of subclinical inflammation on these biomarkers. She highlighted that adjusting for inflammation using approaches such as Thurnham and BRINDA is essential to ensure accurate interpretation of iron status biomarkers and to support evidence-based nutrition policies and programs.

Dr. Drs. Heri Wibowo, M.Biomed., Coordinator of Research and Business Development at the Integrated Laboratory FKUI, elaborated on the biological mechanisms linking stunting with Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (EED). He explained that chronic inflammation may impair child growth through disrupted protein metabolism, reduced nutrient absorption, and impaired bone formation. The EED biomarker panel includes indicators of intestinal permeability, local and systemic inflammation, and epithelial damage. Assessing EED biomarkers was highlighted as a critical missing link between undernutrition, chronic inflammation, and growth failure.

Dr. Aly Diana, from the Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, shared research experiences on the use of integrated biomarker panels in maternal and child nutrition studies, which enable simultaneous measurement of multiple indicators with minimal biological sample volume. She emphasized the importance of validation, standardization, and quality control, as well as the need to consider regulatory and logistical aspects in biomarker research. In addition, Dr. dr. Herqutanto reaffirmed the importance of integrating micronutrient biomarkers into the Indonesia Nutrition Survey 2026, supported by a centralized laboratory system, to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and more targeted nutrition intervention planning.

A policy brief discussion session was delivered by Dwi Puspasari, S.KM., M.Sc., Acting Head of the Center for Health Policy on Health Efforts, Agency for Health Policy Development (BKPK), Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. She provided reflections on the policy brief “Indonesia Nutrition Survey (SGI) 2026: Building an Efficient, Accurate, and Impactful Micronutrient Biomarker System” and highlighted its relevance in strengthening national nutrition surveillance and evidence-based policymaking.

The discussion session demonstrated strong interest and active engagement from participants, who shared questions, reflections, and practical insights on the use of integrated biomarker panels in nutrition research and policy. Participants highlighted both opportunities and implementation challenges, and expressed positive feedback on the webinar and policy brief as timely and useful resources to support evidence-based nutrition programming and policy development.

Aligned with SEAMEO RECFON’s mandate, Sari Kusuma, M.Gizi., Head of the Laboratory Division, presented the integrated services of the SEAMEO RECFON Laboratory, ranging from anthropometry and biochemistry to food analysis and nutrigenomics, and highlighted opportunities for collaboration to strengthen nutrition surveillance and policy development in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Through this event, SEAMEO RECFON reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the national nutrition surveillance system through the use of biomarkers and cross-institutional collaboration.

SEAMEO RECFON CONDUCTED A WORKSHOP ON PLANNING, MONITORING, AND EVALUATING PARTNERSHIPS TO STRENGTHEN COLLABORATION WITH PARTNERS

Admin PRP — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 01:52:23 +0000

Jakarta, 4 - 6 March 2026

SEAMEO RECFON held the Partnership Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Workshop from 4–6 March 2026 at The Hermitage, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Jakarta, as part of its efforts to strengthen coordination and program implementation with its partners. The workshop was attended by 64 participants, with 42 joining in person and 22 participating online. Participants represented partner institutions including Polkespon, Poltekkes Kemenkes Semarang, Poltekkes Kemenkes Pangkal Pinang, Universitas Mataram, PRTABN BRIN, Poltekkes Tasikmalaya, and Universitas Indonesia, as well as local government representatives from Sambas, Brebes, Bangka, Lombok Timur, and Tanjung Jabung Timur. The event was also attended by representatives from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education of the Republic of Indonesia and SEAMEO RECFON’s internal team.

The workshop created a space for joint discussion to review the implementation of existing partnerships and to develop plans for future collaboration. In addition, it included discussions on the draft cooperation agreement, the development of a collaborative roadmap, and the strengthening of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure that program implementation remains focused and sustainable.

Commitment Reinforcement and Partnership Evaluation

The session began with a joint discussion focusing on reviewing program achievements and evaluating the results of the collaboration with partners. Through the Sharing Best Practices agenda, the two-party and three-party partners presented their various program implementation achievements, including training for early childhood education (PAUD) teachers and health personnel, the implementation of Training of Trainers (ToT), nutritional interventions in educational units and Islamic boarding schools, as well as strengthening the child growth and health monitoring system in the region.

Discussions then led to a more in-depth discussion about various challenges in partnership management. A number of issues were discussed, including high personnel turnover, budget constraints as a result of efficiency policies, coordination across regional departments, and the need for a more integrated monitoring and reporting system. Furthermore, the sustainability of the program following the expiration of the cooperation agreement also became a concern, particularly in terms of the involvement of the partnership unit in the implementation and evaluation of the program on a regular basis.

Partnership Is More Than Just Results, It’s Collaboration

During the session on the 4C Framework – 4 Pillars of Trust, speaker Ageng Kirdjo Putro, S.Si., MSBA emphasized that the success of a partnership is not only measured by program achievements, but also by the quality of trust built between the parties involved. The trust between the partners was built on a shared vision, consistent commitment, clear two-way communication, and synergies between the expertise of various sectors. The partnership was seen as a dynamic and evolving process through various stages, with each challenge becoming an important part of strengthening the shared commitment.

The discussion became a forum to exchange experiences among partners in implementing programs in the regions. The partners considered that collaboration with SEAMEO RECFON had contributed to capacity building, clear work direction, and more structured technical assistance. In addition, the participants also provided various inputs to strengthen the monitoring mechanism, improve alignment between regional program targets and SEAMEO RECFON’s work plan, and develop a more systematic and sustainable partnership evaluation method.

Strengthening Policy Synergy and Developing a Collaboration Framework

The discussion then moved on to strengthening policy alignment and developing systematic cooperation mechanisms. This session began with a presentation from the Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) delivered by Lukmanul Hakim, S.S., M.Hum., M.Ed., which discussed the principles, procedures, and strategic aspects of managing cooperation between institutions.

During his presentation, Lukmanul Hakim emphasized the importance of clarity regarding the roles and responsibilities of each party in the cooperation agreement document. He also explained that the drafting of cooperation documents needs to take into account compliance with applicable regulations, national policy directions, and program requirements at the regional level.

Working Group Workshop: Reviewing Cooperation Documents and Developing a Collaboration Roadmap

Following the presentation session, the event continued with group workshops that brought together partner representatives and the SEAMEO RECFON team for more in-depth discussions. In each group, participants collectively reviewed the draft of the new cooperation agreement and the extension of the existing cooperation agreement that had been prepared previously. The discussions focused on various important aspects, including the scope of activities, the role distribution among institutions, and the coordination mechanisms for program implementation.

The workshop continued with the development of a framework of collaboration. During this session, participants and the SEAMEO RECFON team identified plans for activities to be carried out during the cooperation period. Discussions also covered steps for preparing programs for the current year, so that the direction of collaboration could be designed in a more planned manner and in line with program needs in the region.

Presentation on the Results of the Discussion and Refinement of the Collaboration Plan

The day concluded with each group presenting the results of their discussions on the draft cooperation agreement and the collaboration roadmap. This session provided an opportunity to gather input and perspectives from a number of parties, including the Cooperation Planning Bureau (PKS) and the Legal Bureau of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, as well as SEAMEO RECFON members.

Throughout the series of workshops and presentation sessions, participants successfully formulated a draft cooperation agreement and a roadmap for collaboration, which had undergone a joint review process. The various inputs obtained in this session are expected to further improve the document. This discussion also formed the basis for partners to continue the document revision process and strengthen the collaboration framework that will support a more focused and sustainable program implementation.

Planning, Coordination, Monitoring, and Evaluation of Partnerships

During the final session of the workshop, discussions focused on planning the coordination of monitoring and evaluation for the implementation of the collaboration. This session was designed to ensure that every collaboration plan that had been developed could be implemented effectively and monitored regularly with partners.

Participants were divided into two discussion groups: the partnership team and the activity implementation team. Each group discussed coordination mechanisms, communication flows, and role distribution in program monitoring and evaluation. Participants also emphasized the importance of maintaining alignment between the designed collaboration roadmap and program monitoring mechanisms in the field.

STRENGTHENING PRODUCTIVITY QUALITY, SEAMEO RECFON CONDUCTS NUTRITION GOES TO WORKPLACE TRAINING

Admin PRP — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:12:02 +0000

Jakarta, 11 - 13 February 2025

Supporting the productivity and well-being of workplaces, SEAMEO RECFON held the Nutrition Goes To Workplace (NGTW) event on 11-13 February 2026 at The Hermitage, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Jakarta. The training was attended by 53 participants, consisting of staff and interns from the MagangHub Kemnaker Batch 2 program. Through interactive sessions, the training highlighted the importance of balanced nutrition, active lifestyles, and regular physical activity in enhancing daily performance at work. Participants were encouraged to build healthier habits that support both their productivity and overall well-being.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Zainun Misbah, MSc, Acting Deputy Director of Administration at SEAMEO RECFON, highlighted the importance of fostering a scientific-based healthy work culture through collaboration. Dr. Zainun Misbah, MSc, added that this synergy is crucial for SEAMEO RECFON to maximize impact and performance in the food and nutrition sector.

Strengthening Commitment: Understanding Lifestyle Patterns and the Risk of Non-Communicable Diseases

This series of activities began with an introductory training session by Raden Roro Dwi Agustine, M.Gizi. and Building Learning Commitment (BLC) led by Dr. Zainun Misbah, MSc. This session provided an opportunity for participants to reflect, share their vision, and build a constructive atmosphere for discussion throughout the training.

The session began with Ir. Helda Khusun, M.Sc, Ph.D presenting on the urgency of health issues through the topic “Nutrition Problems, Their Impact on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and Prevention Efforts.” The topic highlighted the phenomenon of nutritional transition in adults, which has become a challenge. She explained in detail how dietary and lifestyle changes contribute directly to the surge in NCD cases, which ultimately affect productivity.

In addition to discussing risks, this session also highlighted the importance of identifying risk factors for the double burden of malnutrition and the vital role of a healthy food environment in the workplace.

In order to connect theory with real-life situations, participants were instructed to compile and analyze their daily food consumption records under the facilitator’s guidance. Through this exercise, participants were able to objectively identify their own consumption patterns and understand their long-term health implications.

Beyond the Desk: Integrating Physical Activity into the Workspace

According to the Balanced Nutrition Pyramid (Tumpeng Gizi Seimbang), nutritional intake alone is insufficient to sustain a healthy lifestyle, Physical activity is required to achieve optimal health. In her session titled “The Importance of Physical Activity for Workers,” Prof. dr. Indah Suci Widyahening, Ph.D., provided a comprehensive analysis of how physical activity enhances employee fitness, covering everything from recommended intensity levels to specific guidelines for adults. Prof. Indah further emphasized the Good, Correct, Measurable, and Regular (BBTT) principles as a core foundation, while highlighting the vital link between balanced nutrition and employee productivity.

This session provides practical exercises, allowing participants to directly perform light physical movements they can easily do at their desks. These exercises are designed to maintain flexibility while boosting focus amidst their daily work routines.

From Labels to Layouts: Mastering Nutrition and Menu Planning

Nutrition intake was discussed deeply by Sari Kusuma, M.Gizi, through a presentation titled ‘The Importance of Balanced Nutrition and Menu Planning’. Participants were provided with a comprehensive understanding of the concept of the Indonesian Balanced Nutrition Guidelines (Pedoman Gizi Seimbang), which includes the Four Pillars of Balanced Nutrition, the philosophy of Tumpeng Gizi Seimbang, Isi Piringku, and 10 Pesan Gizi Seimbang.

Enthusiasm was clearly displayed by the participants as they were encouraged to think more critically through the practice of reading nutritional information on product packaging. This skill aims to empower individuals to select nutritional intake that aligns with their specific bodily needs.

Transitioning theoretical knowledge into practical application became easier when each group prepared a daily balanced diet plan. The menu selection was adjusted based on the nutritional problems identified among SEAMEO RECFON staff to ensure that the solutions were relevant and applicable.

The session ended up with an interactive group presentation. Dr. Umi Fahmida shared her feedback and advice on how to improve the meal plans and healthy eating monitoring methods for adults. The discussion ensured that each meal plan met specific nutritional standards for different age groups, from adults to seniors, and also took gender differences into account. Through this approach, nutrition recommendations become more precise in addressing health challenges and unique nutritional issues faced by each staff group within SEAMEO RECFON.

Monitoring Personal Health through Precise Measurements

Following an explanation on what to consume, participants learned how to track the effects of their lifestyle. The session was designed to equip staff with a better understanding of various concepts and indicators of nutritional status, while also providing insight into how optimal health can be achieved through monitoring measurable physical parameters.

Participants took part in anthropometric measurements, including body weight, height, and waist measurements, following standard health procedures. Their excitement continued as they learned how to determine their personal nutritional status by calculating their Body Mass Index (BMI) and analyzing their waist measurements. Through this activity, staff members of SEAMEO RECFON and interns from the MagangHub Kemnaker can objectively assess their health status to take preventive measures in maintaining their fitness in the workplace.

Action Plan (RTL) : Ensuring Sustainability of Change

As a crucial closing agenda, participants drafted and presented a Follow-up Plan (RTL) under the guidance of Dr. Judhiastuty Februhartanty as session coordinator. The final session was intended to provide staff and interns from the MagangHub Kemnaker program with practical operational guidance to implement the NGTW program effectively, alongside the formulation of a comprehensive and systematic monitoring plan.

The draft action plan was reviewed by Dr. dr. Herqutanto, MPH., MARS., Sp.KKL.P, Ir. Helda Khusun, M.Sc., Ph.D, and Dr. Zainun Misbah, MSc. Their feedback was crucial in improving the implementation strategy to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the program in supporting the productivity and well-being of all staff members.

Through this initiative, SEAMEO RECFON reaffirms its commitment to fostering a healthy and active workplace environment, with the expectation that the outcomes of the training will be sustainably implemented to support staff well-being and organization performance in the field of food and nutrition.

SEAMEO RECFON AND UNIVERSITY OF JAMBI (UNJA) SUPPORT POST-DISASTER COMMUNITY NUTRITIONAL RECOVERY IN NAGARI MUARO PINGAI, SOLOK

Admin PRP — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 05:54:53 +0000

SEAMEO RECFON collaborated with UNJA in the 2026 Impactful Student Program Mentorship to support post-disaster community nutritional recovery in Nagari Muaro Pingai, Solok Regency, West Sumatra, on 4–5 February 2026. This collaboration focused on strengthening student capacity to design and implement local food-based nutritional interventions for vulnerable groups, specifically early childhood and pregnant women, in both normal and emergency situations.

Under the coordination of the Center for Disaster Management and Health Crisis within UNJA’s Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM), the mentorship involved a dedicated team of five faculty members, including four experts from the Department of Nursing and one from the Department of Nutrition. These mentors guided approximately 15 selected students in strengthening their capacity to design and implement localized food-based nutritional interventions.

The hydrometeorological disasters that struck the region not only caused environmental damage but also disrupted food security and public health services access, thereby increasing the risk of nutritional issues among vulnerable groups. In response to these conditions, SEAMEO RECFON and the UNJA, through the 2026 Impactful Student Program (Program Mahasiswa Berdampak), collaborated to enhance student capacity in anthropometric measurement, nutrition and hygiene education, also the design of community-based nutrition intervention. This program also developed the ‘Dapur Sehat Posyandu’ model as an effort to revive nutrition and strengthen family food security in disaster-affected locations.

In this collaboration, SEAMEO RECFON serves as a strategic partner for UNJA in supporting the implementation of the 2026 Impactful Student Program (Program Mahasiswa Berdampak). SEAMEO RECFON representatives, Aziz Jati Nur Ananda, M.Gizi and Rizqiyah, M.Sc., shared their knowledge as speakers in nutrition education sessions while assisting students in preparing Action Plans (RTL). The series of activities was designed to equip students with practical skills. These included training in anthropometric measurements, as well as nutrition and hygiene education in normal and disaster situations. In addition, students learnt how to conduct surveys and analyse the impact of disasters on early childhood malnutrition.They also assisted in the development of the ‘Dapur Sehat Posyandu’ (Posyandu Healthy Kitchen) model with the local community.

This activity forms part of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCNE) initiative, while supporting the implementation of the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan (4th FYDP) with a focus on Emergency Nutrition. Academic collaboration is a part of a strategy to enhance regional capacity for post-disaster nutrition response. The objectives of the project include the enhancement of students’ proficiency in nutritional status screening and the effective utilisation of “Local Food-Based Balanced Nutrition Guidelines” (PGS-PL), developed by SEAMEO RECFON within Posyandu. Furthermore, the program aims to establish a community-based ‘Dapur Sehat Posyandu’ (Posyandu Healthy Kitchen) model and develop technical modules on safe and nutritious feeding for early childhood and pregnant women to serve as a reference for relevant stakeholders.

As a regional centre for food and nutrition, SEAMEO RECFON reaffirms its commitment to strengthening community-based nutritional interventions. The approach developed through this program is expected to be replicated in other disaster-affected regions, contributing to the enhancement of post-disaster community nutritional resilience.

Celebrating the 66ᵗʰ National Nutrition Day and 15 Years of SEAMEO RECFON: From Celebration to Concrete Action for Jakarta’s Early Childhood Health

Admin PRP — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 04:12:41 +0000

The 66ᵗʰ National Nutrition Day (HGN) in January 2026 holds special significance as it coincides with the 15ᵗʰ anniversary of SEAMEO RECFON as the Regional Centre for Food and Nutrition. Beyond celebration, this momentum reaffirms our commitment to transforming nutrition discourse into concrete action.

In collaboration with the Jakarta Provincial Health Office, SEAMEO RECFON organized a series of activities to strengthen the management of early childhood with nutritional problems. This initiative involved all levels of management from Community Health Centers (Puskesmas), Regional Public Hospitals (RSUD), and sub-district offices in five administrative cities and Kepulauan Seribu. Under the Early Childhood Care, Nutrition, and Education (ECCNE) program, the activities aimed to reinforce service systems and define targeted actions for the year ahead.

Nutritional Challenges for Early Childhood in DKI Jakarta

In Jakarta, nutritional issues such as stunting, malnutrition, and severe wasting are widespread. Medical intervention alone is insufficient; numerous factors play a role, including health workers’ understanding of management standards, the efficiency of referral systems, the availability of supporting facilities, and coordination between health facilities.

Various interventions have been carried out to address malnourished early childhood. However, challenges still arise in terms of compliance with management standards, which are not yet fully uniform. Internally, differences in understanding technical guidelines, variations in human resource capacity, and suboptimal referral, recording, and nutrition education systems are areas that need to be strengthened. Therefore, the approach taken in this series of activities emphasises not only improving individual capacity, but also strengthening systems, governance, and cross-management teamwork.

Technical Refresher Course on Management of Early Childhood with Nutritional Problems

The series of activities began on 27 January 2026 with a Provincial Pre-Workshop held online, attended by nearly 200 participants. This stage aimed to align all participants’ understanding of the standards for managing malnutrition and undernutrition in early childhood. The material presented covered the latest policies and technical guidelines, as well as a preventive approach through the Local Food-Based Recommendation (PGSPL). The emphasis on preventive aspects is important so that efforts are not only curative but also preventive and rehabilitative. The discussions covered not only theory but also real experiences in the field. Participants were invited to review the practices that had been implemented so far and identify the obstacles that still needed to be overcome. This stage served as a foundation before moving on to more in-depth discussions.

Building Shared Values and Commitment

The next stage is the Shared Value Workshop, which was held offline on 1 February 2026 in the Provincial Health Office of DKI Jakarta. Through the shared values approach, participants are encouraged to align their perceptions and strengthen their sense of ownership of the nutrition service system. This approach emphasises that the success of early childhood care is not the responsibility of a single profession or facility, but rather the result of collective effort. Good coordination, open communication, and leadership support are key to ensuring that service standards are properly implemented. Through group discussions and exploration of perspectives, participants realise that systemic change requires collective commitment. Without support and cross-sector cooperation, improvements are difficult to implement consistently.

Analysing Problems, Developing Solutions

The core stage of the activity took place from 2 to 5 February 2026 through a series of workshops at the city/district level. Each administrative city had the opportunity to discuss the conditions and challenges they faced in a more contextual manner. The Ishikawa Fishbone Analysis method is used to help participants identify the root causes of three major nutritional problems, namely stunting, other nutritional problems in early childhood, and nutrition education in the community. The analysis was conducted from various aspects, including human resources, procedures and SOPs, recording and reporting systems, supporting facilities, management, and environmental factors. This approach helped participants see the problem holistically, not just the symptoms on the surface. For example, if there were obstacles in the referral process, the analysis was followed by questions on the clarity of the referral flow, the understanding of the officers, and the monitoring mechanism.

From the results of this identification, participants developed problem-solving strategies and translated them into follow-up action plans (RTL). These RTLs contained concrete steps that were realistic, measurable, and implementable in the context of each health centre, hospital, and city sub-department (Suku Dinas Kesehatan Kota). With this participatory approach, participants were not only recipients of information, but also designers of strategies for problem improvement.

Workshop implementation in each city/district

Collaboration as a Strength

One of the important values of this series of activities is the involvement of various levels of health service management. The presence of leadership ensures that the results of discussions do not stop at technical recommendations, but have structural support for implementation. Coordination between primary and referral services is one of the main focuses. An interconnected system, optimal use of data, and regular monitoring are important parts of strengthening governance. Synergy between health facilities and local governments, as well as SEAMEO RECFON, is expected to create a more responsive and consistent system for handling cases of early childhood malnutrition.

The Celebration that Marked the Beginning

The closing ceremony on 6 February 2026 featured the presentation of consolidated Follow-up Action Plans from all administrative cities, marking a transition from reflection to concrete commitment. The 66ᵗʰ HGN and SEAMEO RECFON’s 15ᵗʰ anniversary became not only a commemoration, but a starting point for strengthened action.

The agreed commitments will be implemented throughout 2026, with regular monitoring and evaluation to ensure accountability and measurable improvements in service quality. This process reinforces a culture of shared learning and continuous improvement.

Ultimately, these efforts aim to ensure that every child receives optimal nutrition services. As early childhood nutrition forms the foundation of human development, strengthening service systems today will shape the quality of future generations. The momentum of this dual celebration reaffirms a clear commitment: 2026 is a year of implementation where plans translate into action, and impact is systematically measured for healthier, stronger children in Jakarta.