SEAMEO RECFON

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.

Brebes and Muara Enim Local Governments Advance Alignment on Early Childhood Care, Nutrition and Education (ECCNE) Program at SEAMEO RECFON

Admin PRP — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:15:07 +0000

Jakarta, 7 April 2026

SEAMEO RECFON hosted a consultation and coordination meeting with representatives from the local governments of Brebes and Muara Enim Districts on the Early Childhood Care, Nutrition and Education (ECCNE) Program at its office in Utan Kayu, Jakarta.

The meeting aimed to strengthen cross-regional collaboration to advance holistic, integrated, and sustainable early childhood nutrition and education services.

The Brebes delegation, represented by the Regional Development Planning, Research, and Innovation Agency (Bapperida), engaged in follow-up discussions on refining cooperation documents and the joint roadmap with SEAMEO RECFON. Discussions focused on the revised draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Roadmap, with emphasis on aligning the program scope, simplifying terminology, and strengthening governance and joint communication.

As a next step, the local government of Brebes District, in collaboration with SEAMEO RECFON and the Health Polytechnic of Semarang, will finalize the cooperation documents and roadmap, while coordinating document circulation for final approval.

Meanwhile, the local government of Muara Enim District, represented by the Office of Education and Culture, conducted consultations on implementing the ECCNE Program at the early childhood education (ECE) level. Discussions covered strengthening monitoring and evaluation, developing follow-up action plans by education centers, and optimizing the use of digital monitoring systems.

Despite ongoing progress, implementation of the ECCNE Program in Muara Enim continues to face challenges, including cross-sector coordination in delivering Holistic Integrative ECE, limited infrastructure, and the need to further strengthen educator capacity.

To address these challenges, the program will be implemented through Training of Trainers (ToT) and the use of structured learning modules covering nutrition, caregiving, and service management. Additional efforts will focus on strengthening practice-based training, expanding in-person delivery, and ensuring sustained technical assistance.

At the service delivery level, the PGS-PL Guidelines developed by SEAMEO RECFON serve as a key reference to strengthen balanced nutrition practices and healthy behaviors. The local government has also proposed initial initiatives, such as a fish consumption campaign and creative activities, including healthy menu competitions, which remain in the planning stage.

Aligned with these efforts, the government of Muara Enim District targets increasing the proportion of active Holistic Integrative PAUD centers to at least 50 percent by 2026. The role of the Office of Education is expected to be further strengthened through policy support, including issuing circular letters and establishing recognition mechanisms for committed education centers.

Moving forward, SEAMEO RECFON will continue to provide technical assistance in collaboration with partners, including resource persons for ECCNE ToT implementation. The local government will also strengthen cross-sector coordination through regular coordination meetings and planned follow-up engagements.

Through sustained and strategic collaboration, the ECCNE Program is expected to contribute to improved early childhood growth and development outcomes.

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.