SEAMEO RECFON

SEAMEO RECFON Perkuat Keahlian Dokumentasi Institusi melalui Lokakarya Fotografi dan Videografi Berbasis Ponsel

Admin PRP — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 02:10:41 +0000

Jakarta – Dalam upaya memperkuat kualitas komunikasi publik dan dokumentasi institusi, SEAMEO RECFON menyelenggarakan Lokakarya Fotografi dan Videografi Berbasis Ponsel pada 15–16 Juli 2026 di Kantor SEAMEO RECFON, Salemba, Jakarta. Kegiatan ini diikuti oleh jajaran Board of Directors, staf dari berbagai divisi, serta peserta Praktik Kerja Lapangan (PKL) dari SMKN 40 Jakarta sebagai bagian dari penguatan kapasitas sumber daya manusia dalam menghasilkan dokumentasi visual yang berkualitas.

Di era digital, dokumentasi visual tidak lagi sekadar menjadi pelengkap sebuah kegiatan, tetapi telah berkembang menjadi salah satu instrumen utama dalam membangun komunikasi publik yang efektif. Sebagai SEAMEO Centre yang berfokus pada bidang pangan dan gizi, SEAMEO RECFON memiliki mandat untuk mendiseminasikan pengetahuan, praktik baik, serta capaian program kepada berbagai pemangku kepentingan di tingkat nasional maupun regional. Karena itu, kemampuan menghasilkan foto dan video yang informatif, menarik, dan sesuai dengan standar institusi menjadi kompetensi yang semakin penting.

Dalam sambutannya, Deputi Direktur Administrasi SEAMEO RECFON, Dr. M. Dzaky F. Surapranata, S.E., M.Comm, menegaskan bahwa dokumentasi memiliki peran strategis dalam memperkuat visibilitas dan akuntabilitas publik lembaga.

“Di tengah meningkatnya kebutuhan komunikasi publik, dokumentasi kegiatan bukan lagi sekadar pelengkap, melainkan instrumen utama untuk menunjukkan dampak nyata program SEAMEO RECFON kepada masyarakat dan para pemangku kepentingan. Karena itu, setiap dokumentasi visual yang dihasilkan harus memenuhi standar kualitas, mencerminkan identitas institusi, serta tetap menjunjung etika dan keberagaman budaya. Kemampuan fotografi dan videografi juga menjadi kompetensi penting bagi setiap staf, terutama ketika mendokumentasikan pelaksanaan program di berbagai wilayah dengan kondisi yang beragam,” ujar Dr. Dzaky.

Lokakarya menghadirkan Faiz Rafid, Smartphone Photographer, yang membagikan materi mengenai visual storytelling, teknik fotografi dan videografi berbasis ponsel, pengaturan kamera, komposisi, pencahayaan, hingga pemanfaatan kecerdasan buatan (AI) dalam proses pascaproduksi konten visual. Melalui kombinasi sesi teori dan praktik, peserta dibekali keterampilan untuk menghasilkan dokumentasi yang tidak hanya menarik secara visual, tetapi juga mampu menyampaikan pesan secara efektif.

Sebagai bagian dari pembelajaran berbasis praktik, peserta dibagi ke dalam beberapa kelompok dan mengikuti sistem rotasi di tiga lokasi, yaitu ruang kelas, laboratorium, dan kantin. Pada setiap lokasi, peserta mempraktikkan teknik pengambilan foto dan video dengan objek yang berbeda, mulai dari aktivitas pembelajaran, proses pengujian laboratorium, hingga interaksi di area kantin. Seluruh hasil dokumentasi kemudian dikurasi dan diolah menjadi karya visual menggunakan aplikasi CapCut, termasuk video berdurasi maksimal satu menit yang disusun secara kolaboratif.

Pada hari kedua, setiap kelompok mempresentasikan hasil karya mereka untuk memperoleh masukan dari Bapak Seno Hartono, Ketua Kelompok Kerja Publikasi, Biro Komunikasi dan Hubungan Masyarakat Kementerian Pendidikan Dasar dan Menengah Republik Indonesia. Sesi umpan balik ini menjadi kesempatan bagi peserta untuk memahami lebih dalam standar dokumentasi visual yang efektif serta penerapannya dalam komunikasi institusi.

Melalui lokakarya ini, SEAMEO RECFON berharap seluruh peserta mampu menerapkan prinsip-prinsip visual storytelling, menghasilkan dokumentasi yang konsisten dengan standar institusi, serta memperkuat penyebarluasan informasi mengenai berbagai program dan dampak yang dihasilkan. Penguatan kapasitas ini diharapkan dapat mendukung peran SEAMEO RECFON sebagai pusat unggulan di bidang pangan dan gizi dalam menghadirkan komunikasi publik yang lebih profesional, kredibel, dan berdampak bagi masyarakat di Indonesia maupun kawasan Asia Tenggara.

SEAMEO RECFON Showcases Strategic Roadmap and Secures ICC Grant at SEAMEO CDM 2026

Admin PRP — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 03:58:22 +0000

CHONBURI, THAILAND – SEAMEO RECFON has reinforced its position as a regional leader in food and nutrition during the SEAMEO Centre Directors Meeting (CDM) 2026, held from July 14 to 15, 2026, at the Amari Bangsaen Hotel. Taking center stage during SEAMEO’s 60th-anniversary milestone, the Center successfully presented its long-term strategic vision and secured a significant regional collaboration grant.

Charting the Future: The 2026–2031 Strategic Roadmap

A primary highlight of the Center’s participation was the presentation of the working paper titled “SEAMEO RECFON Flagship Program Roadmap 2026–2031”. This document serves as a comprehensive guide to strengthening the Center’s contributions to regional food and nutrition priorities over the next five years.

The presentation, led by Dr. dr. Herqutanto, MPH., MARS., Sp.KKLP (Acting Director) and supported by Prof. Dr. dr. Rini Sekartini, Sp.A. (Director-elected?), aimed to garner strategic feedback from the SEAMEO Secretariat and other Centre Directors. By showcasing this roadmap, SEAMEO RECFON seeks to refine its flagship programs and expand partnership opportunities to ensure a sustainable regional impact.

Securing the SEAMEO ICC Grant for Inclusive Children
In a significant achievement for its collaborative efforts, SEAMEO RECFON was officially announced as a recipient of the SEAMEO Inter-Centre Collaboration (ICC) Grant for FY 2026/2027. Out of six eligible regional proposals, RECFON’s initiative was selected following a rigorous evaluation by an independent technical panel. The grant supports the programme “Transcultural Adaptation of Early Childhood Care, Nutrition and Education (ECCNE) Module for an Inclusive ECCNE Model for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Southeast Asia”. led by SEAMEO RECFON in partnership with SEAMEO SEN and SEAMEO RETRAC.

The programme will promote the adaptation and implementation of the Local Specific Food-Based Recommendations (LC-FBR) for young children with ASD across Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Bringing together SEAMEO Centres and academic partners including Universitas Indonesia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, the National Institute of Nutrition (Vietnam), and the National Institute of Public Health (Cambodia) the initiative reflects a shared commitment to advancing inclusive, culturally relevant nutrition and early childhood development through regional collaboration.

A Legacy of Excellence

Beyond these milestones, SEAMEO RECFON actively engaged in sharing its “best practices” and innovations with other centers, contributing to the collective success of the SEAMEO network during its 60th year. The Center also presented an accomplishment video to the Secretariat, highlighting its major achievements for the 2025/2026 fiscal year and its enduring contribution to the organization’s legacy.

Through its proactive participation at CDM 2026, SEAMEO RECFON continues to demonstrate its readiness to lead and innovate, ensuring that food and nutrition remains a top priority in the Southeast Asian developmental agenda.

SEAMEO RECFON Researcher Dwi Yanti Earns Doctorate in Biomedical Sciences from Universitas Indonesia

Admin PRP — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 02:56:04 +0000

JAKARTA, July 14, 2024 – SEAMEO RECFON proudly announces that one of its dedicated researchers, Dwi Yanti, S.Pd., M.Biomed, has officially earned her Doctoral degree in Biomedical Sciences from the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia (FKUI). She successfully defended her dissertation in an open ceremony held at the IMERI FKUI Teaching Theater.

Dr. Dwi Yanti presented her groundbreaking research titled “Epigenetic Determinants of Stunted Growth and Cognitive Development,” which provides a new molecular perspective on addressing stunting through the lens of epigenetics.

Uncovering the Biological Traces of Stunting

The study focused on children aged 18-24 months in East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. Using a relatable analogy, Dr. Dwi Yanti compared DNA to a “manual book” and DNA methylation to “sticky notes” that regulate how genes are read without changing the genetic code itself.

The research identified that stunted children exhibit distinct methylation patterns in specific genes, including SOCS3 (involved in growth signaling), SOX10 (involved in neural myelination), PCDHGC5 (involved in neuronal connection), and MTHFR (involved in one carbon metabolism). Dr. Dwi Yanti described these findings as “biological embedding,” where early-life environmental and nutritional factors leave measurable biological traces.

A significant finding was the “dissociation” between these biological changes and actual cognitive performance at 18-24 months. This indicates a latency period, where biological alterations serve as an early warning sign before functional cognitive deficits become fully apparent in later school years.

The Synergy of Nutrition and Psychosocial Stimulation

A key takeaway from the dissertation is the necessity of integrating psychosocial stimulation with nutritional interventions. The data showed that positive home stimulation is a strong predictor of cognitive development at 18-24 months, even among children who are already stunted.

Furthermore, the research highlighted the critical role of micronutrients. In the studied population, over 80% of children had inadequate folate intake, which directly impacts the DNA methylation process. Dr. Dwi Yanti explained that while Vitamin B12 acts as a “vehicle,” folate is the “material” being transported; therefore, both must be balanced in nutritional programs.

A Global Collaborative Success

This doctoral research is part of the Action Against Stunting Hub (AASH), an international multidisciplinary project funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). The project involves 17 partner institutions across Indonesia, India, and Senegal.

The promotion was supervised by Prof. Dr. Dra. Asmarinah, M.S. as Promoter, with Dr. Ir. Umi Fahmida, M.Sc. (SEAMEO RECFON) and Prof. Paul Haggarty, Ph.D. (University of Aberdeen, UK) serving as Co-promoters. The examination board awarded Dr. Dwi Yanti the predicate of “Very Satisfying” (Sangat Memuaskan) with a cumulative GPA of 3.97, honoring her 12-semester academic journey.

Advocating for Evidence-Based Policy

Leadership at FKUI emphasized that these findings must move beyond academic publication to inform evidence-based public policy. By adopting a “precision medicine” approach, molecular changes can be detected early, allowing for targeted interventions to protect the developmental potential of Indonesia’s children.

The management and staff of SEAMEO RECFON extend their warmest congratulations to Dr. Dwi Yanti, S.Pd., M.Biomed. We look forward to the impact her expertise will have on reducing stunting and improving the quality of life for future generations.

SEAMEO RECFON and Partners Strengthen Disaster-Resilient ECCNE Capacity Through Refreshment Training of Trainers in East Lombok

Admin PRP — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 06:10:33 +0000

East Lombok, Indonesia – SEAMEO RECFON, in collaboration with the local government of East Lombok District and Universitas Mataram, organized the Refreshment Training of Trainers (ToT) on the Early Childhood Care, Nutrition, and Education (ECCNE) Program with Disaster-Resilient Village Enrichment on 8–9 July 2026. The hybrid training brought together 25 early childhood educators from 14 ECCNE partner preschools (PAUD) across Sambelia Subdistrict as part of the pilot development of the Disaster-Resilient Village model.

The activity reflects SEAMEO RECFON’s continued commitment to strengthening community preparedness for disasters while safeguarding the health, nutrition, growth, and development of young children. Building upon the ECCNE post-disaster recovery model implemented in East Lombok in 2018, the program expands its focus toward disaster preparedness and resilience through community-based approaches.

Quote from Director of SEAMEO RECFON (or representative giving the opening remarks).
“Building resilient communities begins with investing in children’s health, nutrition, and early learning. By strengthening local capacity before disasters occur, we can better protect every child’s future.”

The initiative is made possible through a strategic partnership between SEAMEO RECFON, the local government of East Lombok District, and Universitas Mataram. During his opening remarks, Dr. W. Sudiarta, Secretary of the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) at Universitas Mataram, highlighted the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in strengthening community capacity and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the program.

“Meaningful change happens when universities, governments, and communities work together. Through collaboration, we can strengthen local capacity and create a lasting impact for children and families.”

In addition to strengthening the capacity of PAUD educators, the program also engages university students participating in the Community Service Program (KKN), as both facilitators during this Refreshment ToT and as a program collaborator to synergize their thematic KKN projects within ECCNE ecosystem, during the implementation of ECCNE activities in their respective villages until August 2026.

Before attending the face-to-face sessions, participants completed self-paced online learning by studying nine ECCNE modules and completing post-module assessments. The two-day refresher training then provided interactive discussions and practical learning sessions to reinforce participants’ understanding while introducing new materials related to disaster preparedness and family resilience.

Throughout the training, participants explored various topics, including disaster risk awareness, climate change adaptation, child growth and health during emergencies, food and nutrition security, psychosocial resilience, gender equality and social inclusion (GEDSI), and the role of local governments in implementing Disaster-Resilient ECCNE programs. The sessions were delivered by experts from SEAMEO RECFON, partner institutions, and the East Lombok Disaster Management Agency (BPBD).

“Our collaboration with SEAMEO RECFON through this initiative marks a strategic step in strengthening the capacity of educators and communities to foster disaster preparedness from an early age. We hope this effort will help build more resilient communities and better protect children from disaster risks.”

A key outcome of the training was the development of Follow-up Action Plans (Rencana Tindak Lanjut/RTL) by each participating PAUD in Sambelia subdistrict. These action plans will guide schools in implementing ECCNE activities enriched with disaster preparedness components over the coming months. During the implementation phase, Universitas Mataram students participating in the KKN program will provide technical assistance to support schools in carrying out their plans with guidance from SEAMEO RECFON from July to August 2026. Following the KKN program, the Disaster-Resilient ECCNE pilot initiative will continue through ongoing mentoring and monitoring by the ECCNE Master of Trainers (MOT) Team in East Lombok, ensuring the sustainability of the program and supporting participating ECE centres in implementing their action plans over the long term.

SEAMEO RECFON Supports Community Nutrition Education through SAPA SEHAT and SENYUM PAUD Together with FKUI Students

Admin PRP — Tue, 19 May 2026 06:54:22 +0000

Jakarta, 7 May 2026

SEAMEO RECFON provided facilitation support to students and lecturers of the Master’s Program in Nutrition Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia (FKUI) in the implementation of a field learning activity for the Food and Nutrition Intervention course held on 7 May 2026 in Utan Kayu, Jakarta. The activity served as part of the students’ learning process in designing and implementing promotive and preventive nutrition interventions directly within the community.

The field activity marked the final stage of the Food and Nutrition Intervention course series, conducted from 4–11 May 2026. The course focused on identifying nutrition-related issues, analyzing community conditions, and developing nutrition education strategies tailored to the needs of the target groups. The field learning session on 7 May 2026 provided students with the opportunity to apply the intervention plans and educational materials they had previously developed.

A total of nine students, along and six lecturers from the Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia together with the SEAMEO RECFON, participated in this activity. The students implemented two educational programs, namely SAPA SEHAT, which targeted food vendors in the Utan Kayu area, and SENYUM PAUD, which designed for local early childhood education teachers.

During the SAPA SEHAT session, seven food vendors in Utan Kayu were introduced to the health impacts of excessive sugar, salt, and fat consumption. The students delivered the educational materials in a simple and accessible language to ensure that the message is well received by community members, covering topics ranging from the risk of hypertension due to excessive salt intake, as well as diabetes and obesity associated with high sugar consumption. The session was conducted interactively, encouraging active participation from the vendors, who also shared their daily experiences.

During the session, students also provided practical recommendations tailored to the types of food sold by each vendor were also provided. Fried food vendors were encouraged to increase the proportion of vegetables in their products while applying cooking techniques that help minimize oil absorption, beverage sellers were advised to offer different serving sizes and reduce the use of sweetened condensed milk, while other food vendors were reminded to limit the use of salt and flavor enhancers while incorporating more vegetables and protein sources into their menu offerings. This approach reflects SEAMEO RECFON’s commitment to promoting practical, community-based and applicable nutrition solutions.

The activity then continued with the SENYUM PAUD session involving teachers from three early childhood education centers in the Utan Kayu area, namely PAUD Waringin, Kenanga, and Mustika Indah. During this session, participants were introduced to the concept of the Balanced Nutrition Pyramid, ideal daily meal portions, and demonstrations of sugar, salt, and fat measurements using measuring spoons to help visualize healthy consumption limits . The students also conducted interactive educational game titled “Building My Plate” to enhance participants’ understanding of balanced nutrition.

Through this activity, the teachers were encouraged to identify balanced meal compositions and apply the principles of healthy eating in daily practices for young children.

Dr. Umi Fahmida, lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia and advisor to SEAMEO RECFON, expressed her hope that this field learning activity would provide meaningful benefits to the community while also serving valuable learning experience for the students. “We hope that early childhood education teachers can understand the importance of balanced nutrition and apply it not only for themselves, but also in their daily interactions with students in the classroom,” she stated.

The activity received positive responses from the participants. Ms. Mardiani from PAUD Kenanga shared that she gained many new insights from the session. “TThe materials were delivered in a clear and engaging way, making the nutrition knowledge was easy to understand. I also learned new ways to reduce oil usage when cooking, and I hope the knowledge about the Balanced Nutrition Pyramid can be shared with other teachers and parents,” she said.

Through this field learning activity, students gained hands-on experience in implementing promotive and preventive nutrition interventions within the community. The collaboration between the Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia and SEAMEO RECFON is also expected to strengthen students’ capacity through contextual, community-based, and practical learning experiences.

SEAMEO RECFON Strengthens Educators’ Capacity in School-Age Child Nutrition through the Closing of the Online Nutrition Goes to School Training Program

Admin PRP — Thu, 14 May 2026 04:09:43 +0000

Jakarta, 7 Mei 2026

SEAMEO RECFON officially marked the closing of the Online Nutrition Goes to School (NGTS) Training Program on 7 May 2026. As a regional center for food and nutrition research in Southeast Asia, SEAMEO RECFON organized this five-week training program to enhance the knowledge and skills of teachers, principals of schools and madrasahs, as well as other educational personnel from 125 districts/cities across 33 provinces in Indonesia in delivering nutrition and health education for school-age children and adolescents. The training also encouraged participants to develop school-based nutrition program Follow-Up Action Plans (RTL) as part of strengthening the School Health Unit Program (UKS/M) and the Healthy School Movement. A total of 550 participants registered for the training, with 494 participants remaining active until the closing day.

The session began with participant presentations of the Follow-Up Action Plans (RTL), developed as an outcome of the training in the form of nutrition programs for schools and madrasahs that are ready to be implemented to support the School Health Unit Program (UKS/M) and the Healthy School Movement. The presentations received feedback from SEAMEO RECFON nutrition expert, Dr. Luh Ade Ari Wiradnyani. “Identifying nutrition problems specifically in each school is an important foundation for driving meaningful and sustainable change. We need to identify more deeply what problems exist in the school, as this is the key to seeing real changes among students,” she stated.

Cross-sectoral synergy also strengthened this program. A representative from the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenag), Dr. Abdul Basit, S.Ag., M.M., delivered a presentation entitled Healthy Madrasah: Integrating Character Education, Nutrition, and Health into the Religious Curriculum. The presentation emphasized that strengthening students’ nutrition and health is an inseparable part of the madrasah curriculum and character development. “We must strengthen the concept of clean and healthy food within the madrasah environment. Nutrition and health are part of the implementation of deep learning,” he explained.

As one of the participants, Eka Mayasari from MIN 2 Bandar Lampung shared her experience during the program. “This program helped us understand that balanced nutrition is not only about eating enough, but also an investment in children’s future. Diverse and balanced eating habits can start from simple routines such as having breakfast,” she said.

The closing session concluded with remarks from the Acting Director of SEAMEO RECFON, Dr. dr. Herqutanto, MPH., MARS., Sp.KKLP., who expressed appreciation for the commitment and active participation of all participants throughout the training. “This training reflects our shared commitment to supporting the health and nutrition of school-aged children. We hope that the follow-up action plans that have been developed can be implemented consistently and create a sustainable impact on the school environment and students’ growth and development,” he concluded.

Through the Nutrition Goes to School Program, SEAMEO RECFON together with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemendikdasmen) and the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenag) continues to strengthen the capacity of educators as key drivers in nurturing a healthier, smarter, and more competitive young generation in Indonesia.

SEAMEO RECFON and BKKBN Finalize Strategic Cooperation Plan to Strengthen Parenting and Early Childhood Nutrition

Admin PRP — Tue, 05 May 2026 08:23:16 +0000

Jakarta, 14 & 17 April 2026

SEAMEO RECFON in collaboration with the Directorate of Child and Toddler Family Resilience Development, Ministry of Population and Family Development/BKKBN conducted a series of meetings on 14 and 17 April 2026 to discuss and finalize the proposed draft of a Cooperation Agreement (PKS). The meetings, held online, focused on developing a strategic collaboration framework to support the strengthening of family resilience through parenting and early childhood nutrition interventions.

The activity was attended by the Partnership team of SEAMEO RECFON, the coordinator and members of the flagship program Anakku Sehat dan Cerdas at SEAMEO RECFON, as well as representatives from the Directorate of Child and Toddler Family Resilience Development (DITBALNAK) and the Bureau of Legal Affairs, Organization, and Management of BKKBN. The presence of all parties reflects a shared commitment to building strong, well-directed, and implementable cooperation.

This discussion serves as a follow-up to the Memorandum of Understanding between BKKBN and SEAMEO RECFON for the 2022–2027 period. Under the previous collaboration, both parties achieved several key outcomes, including the development and adoption of Local Food-Based Balanced Nutrition Guidelines in priority areas for accelerating stunting reduction. Through the proposed new Cooperation Agreement, the collaboration is further strengthened with a more systematic, measurable, and sustainable approach.

In terms of substance, the proposed cooperation emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach in supporting early childhood growth and development. Stunting is understood not only as an issue of nutritional intake but also as being closely linked to the quality of caregiving, environmental factors, and children’s health conditions. Therefore, the draft Cooperation Agreement (PKS) specifically accommodates interventions for children aged 0–6 years, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other groups with developmental vulnerabilities.

Through the refinement process of this draft agreement, SEAMEO RECFON and BKKBN reaffirm their shared commitment to building more structured, evidence-based, and impact-oriented collaboration. The finalization of this agreement is expected to strengthen the quality of parenting and early childhood nutrition interventions, while also supporting efforts to improve the quality of Indonesia’s human resources from the earliest stages of life.

SEAMEO RECFON Open Dialogue with Academic Partners and Schools to Formulate the Direction of the NGTS Program for the Next Five Years

Admin PRP — Tue, 05 May 2026 06:29:16 +0000

Jakarta, 16-17 April 2026

SEAMEO RECFON organized an open dialogue with academic partners as well as partner schools and madrasahs as part of the roadmap development process for the Nutrition Goes to School (NGTS) Program for the next five years. The activity was conducted online through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) in two sessions, held on 16 April 2026 with academic partners and on 17 April 2026 with school representatives. The dialogue aimed to review the program’s collective achievements while gathering strategic input from partners to further refine the future direction of NGTS. This approach aligns with the 4th Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP) 2026–2030, which emphasizes strengthening evidence-based programs and responsiveness to field needs.

During the academic partners session, five supporting institutions from various NGTS Program locations actively participated in the discussion, including Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof. DR. HAMKA, Poltekkes Kemenkes Tasikmalaya, Poltekkes Kemenkes Malang, Poltekkes Kemenkes Pontianak, and Universitas Ahmad Dahlan. The discussion highlighted several key aspects of NGTS Program implementation that require further strengthening.

Strengthening the legal framework emerged as a key priority to support more optimal program implementation. In addition, clearly defined end goals were considered crucial to ensure a more measurable direction, particularly if NGTS is to be scaled up more broadly. In this regard, systematic and well-documented evidence of program achievements is essential to support an evidence-based approach.

From an implementation perspective, simplifying the monitoring and evaluation system, including the development of more effective and user-friendly reporting mechanisms, was also highlighted as a key concern. Academic partners further emphasized the importance of fostering the independence of schools and madrasahs as implementers, so that NGTS is not merely carried out as an intervention but becomes sustainably integrated into school and madrasah practices and systems.

In the session with partner schools and madrasahs, eight representatives from various regions, including SDN Cipageran Mandiri 1 Cimahi, SDN Sidamulya Kota Cirebon, SMPN 7 Kota Cirebon, SMPN 8 Sambas, SMP Muhammadiyah 36 Jakarta, SMK Geo Informatika Bogor, MA Basiuni Imran Sambas, and MAN 9 Jakarta, shared their direct experiences in implementing the program. The discussion showed that NGTS has encouraged positive behavioral changes within school environments, particularly in increasing nutrition awareness, promoting the habit of bringing healthy meals, and reducing the consumption of packaged foods and beverages.

Several schools have also demonstrated initiatives to strengthen the program through contextual activities, such as “Nutritious Lunch Thursday,” which has evolved into a collective habit and supports the development of a healthier school environment.

This series of dialogues generated targeted inputs as a foundation for developing the NGTS roadmap. SEAMEO RECFON will follow up on all inputs to ensure a more measurable, adaptive, and sustainable direction for program development.

Through this forum, SEAMEO RECFON reaffirmed its commitment to continuously strengthening collaboration with academic partners and educational institutions as part of a collective effort to sustainably improve the nutrition and health of students.

SEAMEO RECFON Develops 2026–2030 Flagship Program Roadmap to Strengthen Food and Nutrition Impact in Southeast Asia

Admin PRP — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 06:49:58 +0000

Depok, 20-22 April 2026

SEAMEO RECFON organized a Flagship Program Roadmap Development Workshop on 20–22 April 2026 at The Margo Hotel, Depok, West Java. The workshop marked a strategic step in shaping the future direction of SEAMEO RECFON’s flagship programs, namely Early Childhood Care Nutrition and Education (ECCNE), Nutrition Goes to School (NGTS), and Nutrition Goes to Workplace (NGTW), in alignment with the 4th Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP) 2026–2030. These three programs are designed using a life-course approach that targets beneficiaries from early childhood, school-aged children, to the productive-age population. The workshop was attended by the Board of Directors (BoD), SEAMEO RECFON staff, flagship program coordinators, and Prof. Dr. dr. Rini Sekartini, Sp.A(K) from the Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia.

Opening the workshop, the Acting Director of SEAMEO RECFON, Dr. dr. Herqutanto, MPH., MARS., Sp.KKLP., emphasized the importance of developing a roadmap as a strategic foundation for the next five years. “This workshop marks an important moment for us to collectively formulate a more structured and integrated direction for the development of our flagship programs. The roadmap we develop should be able to address nutrition and public health challenges, not only in Indonesia but also across the Southeast Asian region,” stated Dr. Herqutanto.

Over the three-day workshop, each program team presented their achievements, challenges, and proposed development priorities for the next five years. The discussions focused on expanding evidence-based program impact, strengthening sustainability, and enhancing cross-sector partnerships at both national and regional levels.

The Deputy Director for Program of SEAMEO RECFON, Dr. dr. Brian Sri Prahastuti, M.P.H., emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration across divisions in achieving shared goals. “The activities carried out by each division serve as a reminder that we remain committed to achieving our intended objectives,” stated Dr. Brian. She further noted that the outcomes formulated during the workshop reflect a strong foundation for the future development of flagship programs, while also providing momentum to strengthen measurable indicators, adaptive strategies, and increasingly solid collaboration toward 2030.

The workshop also mapped the strategic contributions of each division to ensure that program implementation is aligned from upstream to downstream processes. These contributions include the development of program innovations and supporting services, the establishment of standardized training systems and capacity building for human resources, the empowerment of communities and institutions to implement programs independently, the strengthening of evidence-based research and policy recommendations, as well as the expansion of branding and strategic partnerships through various communication channels. This cross-divisional synergy is expected to serve as a key foundation in ensuring the successful implementation of SEAMEO RECFON’s three flagship programs.

At the end of the workshop, participants agreed on a set of strategic priorities and key performance indicators that will serve as references for annual implementation through 2030. The roadmap is expected to function as a guiding framework for mobilizing resources, expertise, and collaboration to generate tangible impacts in the fields of nutrition, health, and human resource development. Through this workshop, SEAMEO RECFON reaffirmed its commitment to continuously empower communities and institutions through sustainable food and nutrition solutions, with the aim of improving the quality of life of communities in Indonesia and across the Southeast Asian region.

SEAMEO RECFON Reinforces Strategic Role in Advancing Jakarta’s Stunting Reduction Agenda through 2026 Thematic Pre-Musrenbang

Admin PRP — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 02:01:19 +0000

Jakarta, 14 April 2026

SEAMEO RECFON participated in the 2026 Thematic Pre-Development Planning Consultation (Pre-Musrenbang) on Stunting for the DKI Jakarta Province, held on 14 April 2026 at the Benyamin Sueb Hall, Grha Ali Sadikin. This hybrid event served as a strategic cross-sectoral forum to strengthen shared commitments toward accelerating the prevention and reduction of stunting in the capital, as well as to establish program priorities aimed at reducing the prevalence of stunting in DKI Jakarta from 17.2% (SSGI 2024) to 14.2% by 2027.

The keynote address and official opening were delivered by the Jakarta Provincial Regional Secretary, Uus Kuswanto, S.Sos., M.A.P., in his capacity as Chair of the DKI Jakarta Province Stunting Reduction Acceleration Team (TPPS), followed by the signing of a Declaration of Commitment cross-sector stakeholders.

On this occasion,SEAMEO RECFON, represented by its Acting Director, Dr. dr. Herqutanto, MPH., MARS., Sp.KKLP.,, also signed the declaration alongside local government officials, the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), relevant agencies, Regional-Owned Enterprises (BUMD), the TP PKK, and the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), reaffirming its role in supporting development through research-based and collaborative approaches.

A presentation by the Head of the Jakarta Provincial Health Office, drg. Ani Ruspitawati, M.M., highlighted Jakarta’s stunting reduction plan, including the use of collaborative data with SEAMEO RECFON to support more targeted planning.

During the hearing session, SEAMEO RECFON shared its readiness to collaborate on several flagship programs with the Jakarta Provincial Government, including Early Childhood Care and Nutrition Education (ECCNE), Nutrition Goes to School (NGTS), and Nutrition Goes to Workplace (NGTW). On this occasion, Dr. dr. Herqutanto, MPH., MARS., Sp.KKLP., Acting Director of SEAMEO RECFON, emphasized the importance of expanding stunting prevention efforts to educational institutions, stating that “Intervention efforts still largely target expectant mothers and early childhood, while raising awareness about stunting can also begin in schools through the Nutrition Goes to School program, so that the impact can be felt over the long term.”

Through its participation, SEAMEO RECFON reaffirms its commitment to supporting accelerated stunting reduction in DKI Jakarta through strengthened partnerships, data utilization,and sustainable program innovation.