SEAMEO RECFON

SEAMEO RECFON Strengthens Guidelines for a Balanced Diet Based on Local Foods Through Its Contribution to the 12th WNPG

Admin PRP — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 07:50:01 +0000

Jakarta, November 2, 2026 – SEAMEO RECFON contributed to strengthening the national food and nutrition system by presenting the results of the development of the Guidelines for a Balanced Diet Based on Local Foods (PGS-PL) at the “Learning Exchange II: Policy Reflections and Lessons Learned from Food and Nutrition Programs for Strengthening the National Food and Nutrition System” event. This event was part of the 12th National Food and Nutrition Workshop (WNPG) 2026, organized by the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas together with development partners on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at the JS Luwansa Hotel in South Jakarta.

During a panel session titled “Reflections and Lessons Learned: Implementation of Large-Scale Nutrition Interventions,” Dr. Umi Fahmida, an expert and speaker from SEAMEO RECFON, presented the development of the PGS-PL as an approach to optimize the use of local food to meet the nutritional needs of the community. These guidelines were developed by taking into account the diversity of consumption patterns, food availability, and food characteristics in each region.

The PGS-PL was developed for three target groups: pregnant women, infants and toddlers aged 6–59 months, and school-age children and adolescents aged 7–18 years. It was developed using linear programming via the Optifood software to identify nutrient gaps, select nutrient-dense local foods, and create food combinations that can help meet nutritional needs while taking into account dietary habits and affordability. This guide complements the national Balanced Nutrition Guidelines by providing more specific food recommendations tailored to the local context.

During the discussion, Dr. Umi Fahmida also highlighted the importance of understanding local foods more broadly. According to her, a local approach is not only related to the types of food consumed but also encompasses their definitions, preparation methods, and processes, all of which must take into account the specific conditions of each region.

“So, the food itself is also local. Its definition still needs to be discussed, as do the methods and preparation processes,” said Dr. Umi Fahmida.

The presentation also indicated that various local foods have the potential to support nutritional needs, but their utilization in daily dietary patterns still needs to be optimized. A number of food items such as fish, eggs, chicken liver, tempeh, tofu, legumes, green vegetables, and fruits can be part of nutritious food choices tailored to the availability and consumption habits of the local community.

Nevertheless, the use of local foods must be accompanied by attention to nutrients that are still difficult to obtain through daily meals. The study results presented indicate that iron, zinc, folate, and calcium remain areas of concern for certain age groups. Therefore, strategies to meet nutritional needs must be supported by other appropriate interventions, such as food fortification and supplementation.

In addition to the presentation by SEAMEO RECFON, this panel session also featured a representative from the National Food Agency (Bapanas) who discussed policy directions for the diversification and utilization of local foods. The discussion also involved panelists from GAIN Indonesia, the People’s Coalition for Food Sovereignty (KRKP)-KSPL, and Pergizi Pangan to enrich the discussion on access to nutritious food, the alignment of local production with community needs, and the strengthening of nutrition education.

Through the development of PGS-PL, SEAMEO RECFON is helping to ensure that the potential of local foods can be translated into more practical dietary guidelines for families and communities. Its utilization can also be strengthened through various services and programs, such as Posyandu, Holistic Integrative Early Childhood Education (PAUD-HI), schools, and nutritious food provision programs.

SEAMEO RECFON’s participation in Learning Exchange II is part of its contribution based on research and implementation experience to support discussions on national food and nutrition policies. The various lessons learned gathered during this event are expected to serve as input for formulating recommendations for the 12th National Food and Nutrition Conference (WNPG XII), while also strengthening efforts to realize a national food and nutrition system that is adaptive to the diversity of local food potential in Indonesia.

SEAMEO RECFON Holds the 2nd Southeast Asian Youth Forum on Food and Nutrition, Amplifying Youth Voices of Across Southeast Asia

Admin PRP — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 01:19:22 +0000

The virtual forum featured a keynote address from WHO and five selected youth presentations highlighting the factors that shape food choices.

Jakarta, October 21, 2026 — The SEAMEO Regional Center for Food and Nutrition (SEAMEO RECFON) hosted “the 2nd Southeast Asian Youth Forum on Food and Nutrition” virtually on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Under the theme “We Are More Than What We Eat: Shaping Food Choices Beyond the Plate,” this forum brought together the youth of Southeast Asia to share experiences and ideas on how food choices are shaped by mental well-being, digital media, food environments, and cultural identity.

SEAMEO RECFON initiated this forum to amplify the voices of young people and encourage dialogue on food and nutrition issues facing the region’s youth. This year’s forum explored four subthemes: healthy eating and mental well-being; digital media and food choices; creating accessible and healthier food environments; and food, culture, and youth identity.

During the opening remark, SEAMEO RECFON Director Prof. Dr. dr. Rini Sekartini, Sp.A(K), explained the reasoning behind this year’s theme. She emphasized out that young people’s food choices are not determined solely by personal taste, as there are many factors in their environment that shape those choices.

“Through this theme, we want to acknowledge that our food choices are shaped by far more than just personal preferences. Those choices are influenced by our well-being, digital media, the food environment around us, as well as our culture and identity,” said Prof. Rini.

Prof. Rini also expressed her delight at the participants’ enthusiasm, noting that the forum received 103 synopses from applicants across Southeast Asian countries. She further extended her appreciation to all parties involved including Co-organizing and Supporting partners.

Dr. Sandro Demaio, Director and Head of Office of the WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health, delivered the keynote address, while Dr. Yong Heng Yaw from IMU University, Malaysia, acted as the moderator. In his presentation, Dr. Sandro opened by addressing the strategic role of youth.

Dr. Sandro highlighted the important role of young people in driving change. He emphasized that youth perspectives matter both because young people will live with the consequences of today’s decisions and because they have repeatedly led transformative change throughout history.

Discussing food systems transformation, he highlighted the links between food, public health, and climate change.

“Food is truly our greatest lever for both human health and the health of the planet, and we need to continue to view it that way,” he said.

The forum featured five selected youth presentations from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, followed by a question-and-answer session:

Dyah Nuraini Sholikhah (Indonesia): “Beyond the Plate: Listening to the People We Feed”
Nabila Prasisti and Sri Puji Astuti (Indonesia): “Is Your Office Sabotaging Your Health? How Workplace Environments Shape Food Choices”
Ho Jian Ning Iris and Chen Li Yin (Malaysia): “SHIFT: Shaping Healthier Influences for Tomorrow”
Lew Rui Thong (Malaysia): “Beyond Convenience: Youth Advocacy for Healthier Food Environments”
Quennie Ann B. Durian (Philippines): “The Missing Ingredient: Why Healthy Eating Needs Human Connection”

Together, these presentations explored how community feedback, workplace conditions, digital influences, food environments, and human connection can shape healthier food choices.

The youth speakers were selected through a multi-stage selection process for Southeast Asian youth aged 18–35 years, starting from the forum announcement and call for applications, initial synopsis screening, selection of 30 shortlisted applicants, evaluation of full speeches, to the screening of 12 semifinalists. The final selection was conducted in 2 sessions including revising and mentoring to sharpen key messages, structure, and delivery techniques. The five best speakers received appreciation, recognition and given the opportunity to publish their manuscript in the monograph.

Through knowledge exchange and collaboration, this forum is expected to foster concrete initiatives to improve nutritional status and achieve a sustainable food system. SEAMEO RECFON is committed to continuously strengthening the capacity of the younger generation and building multi-stakeholder collaborations for a healthier and more resilient society in Southeast Asia.

Organizers and Supporting Partner

Co-Organizers	Supporting Partners
ASEAN Youth Forum SEAMEO TROPMED Network	Southeast Asian Nutrition Leadership Program (SEANLP) Alumni IMU University, Malaysia Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof. Dr. HAMKA Institute of Human Nutrition and Food (IHNF), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)

SEAMEO RECFON Leads Kick-Off Meeting of Regional Collaboration of Inclusive ECCNE Model for Children with Autism in Southeast Asia

Admin PRP — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 04:22:56 +0000

Jakarta, September 23, 2026 SEAMEO Regional Centre for Food and Nutrition (SEAMEO RECFON) led the implementation of the Kick-Off Meeting of the Inter-Centre Collaboration (ICC) project entitled “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”. The meeting took place online via Zoom at 13.00–16.00 WIB (GMT+7), attended by the Steering Committee, Technical Working Group, academic partners, and representatives of the ministries of education from four Southeast Asian countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

As the Lead Centre in this regional project, SEAMEO RECFON collaborates with SEAMEO SEN (Malaysia) and SEAMEO RETRAC (Vietnam) as Co-Impelenting Centres, together with academic partners from the University of Indonesia (FKUI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, National Institute of Public Health Cambodia, and National Institute of Nutrition Vietnam. This cross-border collaboration was initiated to address the gap in early childhood care, nutrition, and education services for children with ASD.

In his remarks, the representative of the SEAMEO Secretariat, John Arnold Siena, emphasized that the problem of early childhood care and education, especially for children with ASD, cannot be solved by one party alone and requires cross-border collaboration. In his remarks, the representative of the SEAMEO Secretariat emphasized that the problem of early childhood parenting and autism, especially for children with ASD, cannot be solved by one party alone and requires cross-center collaboration with relevant expertise.

“The problems that affect our children cannot be solved by one sector, one institution, or one country alone… We know very well that the early years of life provide the foundation for lifelong health, learning, development, and participation… These challenges cannot be solved by one institution or one center alone. It requires collaboration, sharing of skills and knowledge that is done clearly and responsibly in the local context,” said John Arnold Siena of the SEAMEO Secretariat.

Led by Dr. Umi Fahmida as Project Principal Investigator (PI), this project aims to develop and validate ECCNE ASD modules that have been adapted according to the local context of a country. This module is designed to be a reference for an inclusive service model that accommodates the needs of early childhood with ASD, ranging from aspects of nutrition, health, to educational approaches in the school and family environment.

In the Country Perspectives session, representatives from the Ministry of Education from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam presented the current situation of ECCNE and ASD services in their respective countries. This session provided a comprehensive overview of the challenges faced by each country, as well as the basis for the project team to design an adaptation approach that is appropriate to the local context.

The Three Main Pillars of Work

The meeting also discussed three Work Packages (WP) that became the framework of the project:

WP1: Pillars of Nutrition and Health (including the Local Food-based Balanced Nutrition Guide, coordinated by SEAMEO RECFON;

WP2: Pillars of Nurturing and Education, coordinated by SEAMEO SEN;

WP3: Leadership and Strengthening the Education System, coordinated by SEAMEO RETRAC, focuses on how principals can lead in effectively implementing inclusive ECCNE programs at the school level, including the provision of guidance and monitoring tools.

The Roles, Responsibilities, and Collaboration Mechanisms session discussed in detail the division of roles between parties: SEAMEO Center is responsible for workpackages 1, 2 and 3, academic partners play a role in research, evaluation, and provision of scientific evidence, while the ministry of education plays a role in policy alignment and scaling up programs at the national level. Inter-agency communication mechanisms were also discussed to ensure effective project coordination in all participating countries through established Country Focal Points (CFPs)

The Forum also presented an open discussion session with three key guiding questions: the most pressing ASD-related ECCNE challenges in each country, module components that require adaptation to local contexts, and the resources and partnerships that are already available in each country. These discussions were important inputs for the Technical Working Group (TWG) team in developing the next phase of work plans.

Dr. Umi Fahmida as Project Principal Investigator (PI), expressed optimism that this collaboration can strengthen joint resources between participating countries, while emphasizing that the journey towards a more inclusive education model for children with ASD will continue not only during the one-year project period.

Through this regional initiative, SEAMEO RECFON affirms its commitment to continue to build an inclusive and supportive early childhood nurturing, nutrition, and education environment for children with ASD in the Southeast Asian region in line with SEMESIO’s vision of strengthening the quality of human resources from an early age in all member countries.

SEAMEO RECFON Launches Strategic Policy Briefs and Study Report to Bridge Science, Policy, and Practice

Admin PRP — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 03:42:33 +0000

11 September 2026 — As part of the 16th Governing Board Meeting proceedings, SEAMEO RECFON hosted a dedicated Press Conference on September 9, 2026, at The Hermitage Hotel, Central Jakarta. Led by Director Prof. Dr. dr. Rini Sekartini, Sp.A(K), Deputy Director for Program Dr. dr. Brian Sri Prahastuti, M.P.H., and Deputy Director of Administration Dr. M Dzaky F Surapranata. The event marked the official launch of two strategic policy briefs and a comprehensive study report. The launch reinforces the Centre’s foundational mandate as a regional Center of Excellence in food and nutrition. “For SEAMEO RECFON, the launch of these policy briefs and study report is a concrete manifestation of our mandate in bridging science, policy, and practice,” stated Prof. Rini.

To fulfill this mandate, SEAMEO RECFON officially introduced three critical documents to media representatives and stakeholders. The first, a Policy Brief on Micronutrient Biomarkers in the 2026 Indonesia Nutrition Survey (SGI), advocates for strengthening domestic biomarker testing to support priority setting and the evaluation of stunting reduction policies. Emphasizing multiplex immunoassay methods, it outlines how to improve testing efficiency, lower costs, and maximize limited serum samples. During the media Q&A, Dr. Brian noted that measuring specific biomarkers like ferritin helps policymakers distinguish whether anemia stems from dietary deficiencies or infections like malaria, ensuring highly targeted national interventions.

The second document, a Policy Brief on the ASEAN School Nutrition Package, brings Indonesia’s “Nutrition Goes to School” experience to the regional stage. It stresses that school nutrition policies must extend beyond formal documents to include robust quality assurance and impact monitoring. “Through the policy brief on the ASEAN School Nutrition Package, RECFON brings Indonesia’s experience through the Nutrition Goes to School program to the regional level,” stated Prof. Rini. “We want to ensure that school nutrition policies do not stop at policy documents, but can be implemented well, have a quality assurance system, and their impacts monitored,” she added. The brief identifies strategic leverage points for implementation, specifically integrated interventions, healthy food environments, physical activity, and monitoring mechanisms, and calls for a common regional framework to strengthen national systems.

Furthermore, the Centre launched a Study Report on Local-Specific Food-Based Recommendations (FBRs). Utilizing WHO Optifood linear programming, this study analyzed the dietary patterns of 4,219 school-aged children across 12 representative provinces. It identified persistent gaps in folate, calcium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, and zinc, translating these findings into nutrient-dense, locally sourced menu recommendations designed to fill nutritional voids. These findings hold direct relevance for national initiatives like Indonesia’s upcoming Free Nutritious Meal (Makan Bergizi Gratis / MBG) program. “Our message is clear: MBG must become a strategic instrument to close the nutrient intake gaps among school-aged children while building healthy eating habits,” Prof. Rini emphasized. “Therefore, the MBG menu needs to be designed based on children’s nutritional needs and gaps, accompanied by integrated nutrition education so that children not only receive nutritious food but also understand, choose, and habituate a healthy dietary lifestyle from an early age,” she explained. Addressing media inquiries regarding the standard IDR 15,000 per-portion budget, the Centre clarified that prioritizing locally available options-such as ketupat sayur with local proteins or calcium-rich small fish with edible bones, keeps menus financially sustainable and culturally accepted.

Moving forward, SEAMEO RECFON will continue to solidify its role as a regional knowledge hub. “Moving forward, RECFON will continue to strengthen its role as a bridge between evidence, policy, and implementation, both for Indonesia and the Southeast Asian region, towards a healthier, smarter, and more competitive generation,” concluded Prof. Rini.

SEAMEO RECFON Showcases Early Childhood care, Nutrition, and Education Nutrition in Emergency (ECCNE NiE) Model in East Lombok at 16th Governing Board Meeting

Admin PRP — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 10:06:00 +0000

11 September 2026 — As a defining highlight of its 16th Governing Board Meeting (GBM), SEAMEO RECFON hosted a dedicated showcase session titled “From Preparedness to Resilience: The ECCNE NiE Model from East Lombok” on September 8, 2026. Held in a hybrid mode at the West Nusa Tenggara Pavilion within Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), the event unified regional leaders, local governments, and international experts to discuss community-based solutions for safeguarding the nutrition and health of young children during crises.

Moderated by SEAMEO RECFON’s ECCNE Coordinator, Dr. Umi Fahmida, the session detailed the evolution of the ECCNE NiE modelframework. Originating from the Centre’s response to the devastating 2018 Lombok earthquake, the model has evolved from short-term disaster relief into proactive, long-term community resilience and climate adaptation.

“In emergencies, children are the most vulnerable, and we carry the responsibility to protect them,” Dr. Umi stated during her presentation. “Our goal through ECCNE NiE is to build community preparedness and resilience so that communities are equipped long before a crisis occurs.” To achieve this, the model empowers families and community cadres, utilizing nutrient-dense, locally produced animal-source foods, such as fish floss and chicken liver floss, to support young children’s nutritional recovery.

The showcase featured strong endorsements from local leadership. Joining virtually, the Regent of East Lombok, Haji Khairul Warisin, formally committed to institutionalizing the ECCNE approach into local government policy, linking East Lombok’s Disaster Resilient Village (Desa Tangguh Bencana) program with child health initiatives. “A resilient village is one that protects its most vulnerable citizens, especially young children, before, during, and after a disaster,” he emphasized.

The successful implementation in East Lombok sparked a robust regional dialogue among Southeast Asian delegates eager to translate the model into concrete regional action. Representatives from the Philippines and Thailand proposed integrating similar community-level resilience into their respective disaster risk reduction frameworks. Malaysia and Singapore highlighted the importance of adapting local food resources and leveraging food science for emergency food products, while Myanmar and Lao PDR discussed community-based delivery and digital monitoring in remote areas. Additionally, Dr. Pintip Lamnirath from the SEAMEO Secretariat recommended embedding a dedicated gender lens into future frameworks to protect vulnerable mothers and girls.

Closing the session, SEAMEO RECFON Director Prof. Dr. dr. Rini Sekartini, Sp.A(K), reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to scaling these evidence-based solutions.

“From SEAMEO RECFON’s perspective, we see strong readiness to collaborate on adapting and scaling the ECCNE NiE model across Southeast Asia,” Prof. Rini concluded. “We welcome partnerships with governments, universities, and professional organizations to move from preparedness to true regional resilience.”

As SEAMEO RECFON embarks on its Flagship Programmes Roadmap for 2026–2031, the successful implementation in East Lombok serves as a vital blueprint for regional scale-up. The Centre remains steadfast in its core mission: to provide food and nutrition development options that ensure a better quality of life and a resilient future for all peoples of Southeast Asia.

SEAMEO RECFON Hosts 16th Governing Board Meeting to Advance Regional Food and Nutrition Initiatives

Admin PRP — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 09:54:00 +0000

11 September 2026 — SEAMEO RECFON successfully convened its 16th Governing Board Meeting (GBM) on 7–10 September 2026, in a hybrid mode centered in Jakarta. Bringing together delegates from 11 Southeast Asian member countries and key institutional partners, the meeting aimed to shape the strategic direction of regional food and nutrition for the 2026–2031 period.

Throughout the four-day event leading up to September 10, SEAMEO RECFON executed a comprehensive program. The core agenda centered on intensive plenary sessions to discuss and review various Working Papers (WPs), which were strategically complemented by a series of thematic side events and cultural immersions.

The official Opening Ceremony took place on September 8 at the West Nusa Tenggara Pavilion, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII). Director of SEAMEO RECFON, Prof. Dr. dr. Rini Sekartini, Sp.A(K), delivered the initial welcome remarks, highlighting that the new five-year plan will emphasize translating knowledge into policy through its core flagship programs: ECCNE, NGTS, and NGTW. “Meaningful and sustainable impact cannot be achieved by one institution working alone,” she stated.

Echoing this collaborative spirit, Universitas Indonesia Vice Rector Prof. Hamdi Muluk noted that the Centre serves as a critical bridge for regional learning and evidence-based policy. SEAMEO Secretariat representative Dr. Pintip Lamnirath then praised the Centre’s learning systems and urged the board to incorporate a strong gender-mainstreaming lens into emergency frameworks.

Dr. Pintip, speaking on behalf of the SEAMEO Secretariat, praised the center’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems. Marking SEAMEO’s 60th anniversary, she urged the board to look toward future adaptations for shifting country contexts and recommended incorporating a strong gender-mainstreaming lens into the center’s emergency frameworks to protect vulnerable mothers and children.

Delivering the official opening address, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Ir. Suharti, M.A., Ph.D., emphasized nutrition as a prerequisite for education. “If that child comes to class hungry, the full benefit of education will remain out of reach,” she stated, urging the Centre to support Indonesia’s upcoming Free Nutritious Meal program with localized menu guidance. She then officially opened the meeting, marked by a traditional Gendang Beleq beating ceremony.

A major highlight of the event was the ECCNE Nutrition in Emergencies (NiE) showcase, featuring a community resilience and climate adaptation model developed in East Lombok. Governing Board Members welcomed the model, expressing eagerness to co-develop context-specific guidelines for their own countries. Delegates also connected with local heritage through a cultural visit to the Museum of Indonesia.

During the plenary sessions, the Board officially approved critical documents, most notably the 4th Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP) for 2026–2031, the Annual Report, and the Three-Year Budget Proposal. Furthermore, SEAMEO RECFON launched three policy briefs focused on micronutrient biomarker systems, ASEAN school nutrition adherence, and food-based dietary guidelines for Indonesian school-aged children.

Guided by its core values, the meeting concluded with a reaffirmed commitment to driving actionable improvements in local community systems, policies, and the everyday lives of children across Southeast Asia.

10 Years of NGTS: SEAMEO RECFON Highlights Good Practices from Schools Across Southeast Asia

Admin PRP — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 03:56:01 +0000

Jakarta, 23 August 2026 – As SEAMEO RECFON celebrates the 10th anniversary of Nutrition Goes to School (NGTS), the role of schools as drivers of change in promoting healthy eating and nutrition education took centre stage during an interactive panel discussion titled “NGTS Schools in Action: Impact for AWESOME Generations.” Held as part of the hybrid anniversary celebration at Plaza Insan Berprestasi, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education of the Republic of Indonesia, the session brought together representatives from four model schools across Indonesia, alongside regional partners from Malaysia and Lao PDR.

Moderated by dr. Yesi Crosita Okta, M.Sc, Ph.D, Lecturer in Community Nutrition at UPN Veteran Jakarta the discussion explored how schools have transformed nutrition education into practical initiatives while addressing challenges such as limited resources, parental engagement, limited space, and demanding academic curricula. The stories also highlighted how the NGTS approach continues to inspire the development of AWESOME generations-Active, Well-nourished, and Smart of Me through locally driven and sustainable action.

Representatives from four NGTS model schools shared how they adapted nutrition education to their respective school environments, cultures, and available resources. At SDN 176374 Dolok Nauli, Toba, North Sumatra, School Principal Launa Yeni Abadi Simanjuntak highlighted the integration of nutrition into learning activities. The school developed six original co-curricular modules on healthy food, introduced educational nutrition models and the Isi Piringku campaign, and incorporated environmental activities into its programme. These initiatives were brought together under “Nature,” a Batak expression meaning “very good.”

At SMPN 7 Kota Cirebon, West Java, School Principal Eis Sulastri shared the school’s transformation of its healthy canteen and school environment. In collaboration with the local health laboratory, the school developed a healthy canteen that complies with food safety and halal standards. Despite being located in a densely populated area, the school also established a “School Forest” featuring more than 20 types of fruit trees. The school further introduced quail and chicken farming, producing hundreds of quail eggs each day. Beyond providing a source of animal protein and hands-on learning, these activities also introduced students to entrepreneurship. The school has also shared its practices with neighbouring schools, including initiatives to process dragon fruit peels into healthy sauce.

At SMAN 1 Singosari, Malang, East Java, teacher Wiwi Widati described the school’s efforts to promote healthier lifestyles through peer engagement. Its “Hebat Juara” healthy canteen promotes healthier food choices while implementing cashless payment and reducing single-use plastics. The school also runs “Remaja Asik”—Aktif, Sehat, Pintar, Kreatif (Active, Healthy, Smart, Creative)—and nutrition ambassador programmes to support peer counselling. Other activities include mushroom and catfish farming, a vegetable-eating campaign known as Gemas (Gerakan Makan Sayur), and regular iron supplementation.

Meanwhile, MTsN 2 Bantul, Special Region of Yogyakarta, represented by teacher Susanti, combines nutrition education, physical activity, and environmental awareness through its “Jumaria” (Jumat Ceria) programme. The weekly activity brings together Qur’an memorisation, exercise, and shared nutritious breakfasts. The school also manages a healthy school garden, develops catfish farming and aloe vera-based products, and incorporates environmental education through an ecotheology-based curriculum. Together, these examples demonstrate how NGTS can be adapted into practical and locally relevant programmes, rather than relying on a single model or approach.

At REAL International School (REAL School), Malaysia, in partnership with Dr. Yong Heng Heo from IMU University, the program focused on translating capacity building and action plans into hands-on student activities. Initiated in 2023, the collaboration engaged school management, teachers, and canteen representatives to establish a strong foundation of readiness. IMU University integrated its nutrition and dietetics students into selected school activities and invited REAL School students to the university campus for interactive, experiential learning on healthy eating and practical nutrition. The partnership emphasized that long-term sustainability relies on shared ownership among a school team rather than a single champion, embedding nutrition into existing school routines, and conducting ongoing orientation and monitoring

In Lao PDR, the pilot program was launched in October 2023 across three primary schools in the remote Sangtong district, under the guidance of Dr. Souli Gotay from the National Nutrition Center, Ministry of Health. Teachers were trained to design balanced daily menus using local ingredients and integrate nutrition education with essential hygiene routines like handwashing and clean water. The program implemented climate-friendly practices, including plastic reduction, organic farming, and school gardens utilizing soil and hydroponic systems. These gardens served a triple purpose: promoting physical activity, serving as outdoor classrooms, and supplying nutrient-dense produce to support the school lunch budget of 10,000 Kip per child. Despite challenges in remote monitoring, the pilot highlighted that sustainability requires strong local ownership, active community engagement, and multi-sectoral synergy between health and education ministries

The discussion concluded with a reflection from Wiwi Widati on the importance of leadership and commitment in sustaining school nutrition initiatives. She recalled that introducing healthier eating habits among high school students was not always easy and initially faced resistance. However, the school remained committed to its original goals, supported by strong school leadership and policies that enabled the team to continue its work.

The experiences shared during the panel demonstrated that sustainable nutrition education does not necessarily require extensive resources. Strong leadership, collaboration, community participation, and the ability to integrate nutrition into existing school activities can create meaningful and lasting change. As SEAMEO RECFON celebrates 10 years of NGTS, these stories from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Lao PDR reflect how nutrition education can grow beyond individual programmes and become part of a broader culture of healthy living. More importantly, they demonstrate the power of schools to become centres of change—nurturing AWESOME generations that are Active, Well-nourished, and Smart of Me.

Symbolizing the ‘NGTS House’ in Celebrating 10 Years of NGTS: SEAMEO RECFON Brings Partners Together for AWESOME Generations

Admin PRP — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 02:49:59 +0000

Jakarta, 23 August 2026 – A decade of SEAMEO RECFON’s Nutrition Goes to School (NGTS) programme came to a symbolic close—and a new chapter began—at Plaza Insan Berprestasi, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education of the Republic of Indonesia. Held under the theme “One Decade of NGTS: Nurturing AWESOME Generations (Active, Well-nourished, and Smart of Me) from Indonesia to Southeast Asia,” the 10th Anniversary celebration brought together government officials, representatives from ministries and institutions, regional SEAMEO leaders, teachers, and students to commemorate a decade of collaboration in advancing school-based nutrition.

At the heart of the celebration was the symbolic construction of the “NGTS House,” representing the shared commitment of different sectors to creating a healthier and more supportive environment for children to grow, learn, and thrive.

The celebration opened with the national anthem Indonesia Raya and SEAMEO Colors, followed by a report on the programme’s 10-year journey delivered by Prof. Dr. dr. Rini Sekartini, Sp.A(K), Director of SEAMEO RECFON. Reflecting on the programme’s beginnings in 2016, Prof. Dr. dr. Rini Sekartini, Sp.A(K) emphasised that nutrition has always been viewed as a long-term investment in children’s development.

“We started with a simple belief: children cannot learn optimally when their health and nutritional needs are not adequately supported. As a paediatrician, I see nutrition not only as something needed today, but as a long-term investment for children to grow, develop, stay active, and ultimately become healthy and productive adults.”

Over the past decade, NGTS has trained more than 3,500 educators and supported 279 schools and madrasahs across Southeast Asia, while developing 41 Independent Schools across 11 districts and cities in Indonesia.

The Indonesian government also reaffirmed the importance of school nutrition as part of a broader education ecosystem. Dr. Tatang Muttaqin, Ph.D., Director General of Secondary and Special Education at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, delivered a written speech on behalf of the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, who was unable to attend due to another urgent engagement.

In his remarks, Dr. Tatang Muttaqin, Ph.D. highlighted the importance of using the lessons from NGTS’s first decade to strengthen future efforts. He also emphasised the relevance of school nutrition to the government’s current national priorities, including the Free Nutritious Meals (Makan Bergizi Gratis/MBG) programme.

“Nutritious meals at school should not be viewed merely as the provision of food. They should be part of nutrition education and the development of sustainable healthy habits within the school ecosystem. This spirit is aligned with the Seven Habits of Great Indonesian Children movement.”

He also appreciated NGTS’s approach of allowing schools to identify their own challenges and priorities rather than applying a rigid, one-size-fits-all model. This approach, he noted, is aligned with the principles of participatory, transparent, and accountable school-based management. Once all the pillars and the roof were installed, the NGTS House stood completely on stage. The symbolic construction was followed by a joint commitment signing, with invited officials signing the house structure as a visible expression of their support for the continued development of school-based nutrition.

The moment was further joined by Dr. Temu Ismail,, Secretary of the Directorate General of Teachers and Education Personnel at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education; Dr. Maulani Mega Hapsari, SIP., MA, Director of Junior Secondary Schools at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education; and Sugito, choreographer of the Senam Anak Indonesia Hebat, who took part in a commemorative group photograph with the key figures supporting the celebration.

More than a ceremonial installation, the NGTS House represented a decade of collective work and a commitment to continue strengthening nutrition education through schools. As SEAMEO RECFON celebrates ten years of NGTS, the house also serves as a reminder that nurturing healthier generations cannot be achieved by one institution alone. It requires collaboration among schools, families, communities, government institutions, and regional partners. With the first decade now complete, the foundation has been laid for the next chapter—continuing to empower schools and madrasahs across Indonesia and Southeast Asia to nurture generations that are Active, Well-nourished, and Smart of Me: the AWESOME generation.

10th Nourishing Minds and Bodies in the Digital Era: Insights from 10 Years of NGTS Anniversary Talkshow

Admin PRP — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 02:44:07 +0000

Jakarta, 23 August 2026 – As part of SEAMEO RECFON’s celebration of the 10th anniversary of Nutrition Goes to School (NGTS), hundreds of participants joined the talkshow “Healthy Mind, Healthy Eating, and Self-Love: The Art of Nourishing Ourselves in the Digital Age” at Plaza Insan Berprestasi, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education of the Republic of Indonesia. Held in a hybrid mode, the session explored the connection between mental well-being, eating behaviour, and self-acceptance among children and adolescents in today’s digital environment.

The talkshow was moderated by Nadya Rizki Fadilah, MGZ, Research Consultant at Landscape Alliance and featured dr. Mira Dewi, M.Si, Ph.D, academic and medical nutrition researcher at IPB University, and dr. Eva Devita Harmoniati, Sp.A(K), paediatrician and consultant in social paediatric development at Harapan Kita Women and Children’s Hospital and member of the Child Protection Task Force of the Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI). Opening the discussion,dr. Mira Dewi, M.Si, Ph.D explained that children’s nutritional status can be monitored through anthropometric indicators, particularly body weight and height plotted against appropriate growth charts.

However, she emphasised that good nutrition also depends on adequate micronutrient intake, including vitamins and minerals such as iron. Children with adequate nutrition are generally energetic and able to concentrate during learning, while frequent fatigue and difficulty concentrating may indicate certain micronutrient deficiencies. Indonesia continues to face a double burden of malnutrition, with undernutrition and stunting remaining challenges in some areas while overweight and obesity continue to rise, particularly in urban settings. The speakers also highlighted the growing importance of preventing unhealthy eating patterns from an early age, as conditions such as hypertension and diabetes are increasingly affecting younger adults.

To connect the discussion with students’ daily habits, the talkshow invited Muhammad Atala Arif Yusuf, a Grade 9 student from SMP Muhammadiyah 36 Jakarta, and Sena Yasifa Pratiwi, a Grade 11 student from SMK Wikrama Bogor, to showcase their lunchboxes. Atala’s lunchbox included white rice, omelette, seasoned chicken gizzard, fried noodles, mixed vegetables, and full-cream UHT milk. dr. Mira noted that the meal was diverse but contained a double-carbohydrate combination of rice and noodles. She recommended reducing the carbohydrate portions, increasing vegetables, and adding fruit.

Sena’s lunchbox contained white rice, vegetables, plant-based and animal-based protein, and papaya. dr. Mira Dewi, considered the meal well-balanced, with the suggestion to add more dark green vegetables. SMK Wikrama Bogor also supports healthy eating habits through its “Sarapan Bersama” (Breakfast Together) programme, where students have breakfast together every Friday. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A addressing everyday nutrition concerns. For picky eaters, dr. Eva recommended introducing new foods gradually and presenting them in appealing variations, while serving them alongside foods the child already enjoys.

Responding to a question about eating dinner after 7 p.m., dr. Mira Dewi, clarified that weight gain is influenced by overall energy intake and expenditure rather than simply the time of eating. However, eating too close to bedtime may affect digestion and sleep quality, so allowing approximately two to three hours between dinner and bedtime is advisable. For adolescents concerned about stagnant weight gain, dr. Eva emphasised the importance of assessing growth objectively using appropriate growth charts. If nutritional status is already within the healthy range, increasing food intake unnecessarily may instead increase the risk of unhealthy weight gain.

The “Healthy Mind, Healthy Eating, and Self-Love” talkshow at SEAMEO RECFON’s 10th Anniversary Celebration of NGTS highlighted that self-love goes beyond physical appearance. For children and adolescents, self-love also means understanding their bodies, recognising their emotional needs, making informed food choices, and building healthy habits for the future. As NGTS marks a decade of promoting nutrition education, SEAMEO RECFON continues to emphasise that healthy eating is not only about what we eat, but also why and how we eat—an important foundation for healthier individuals and future generations.

10th-Anniversary Series of the NGTS Program Highlighted by Free Health Check-Up Service in Collaboration with the DKI Jakarta Provincial Health Office

Admin PRP — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 02:25:48 +0000

Jakarta — The Free Health Check-Up (CKG) service was one of the featured event series at the 10th-anniversary celebration of the Nutrition Goes to School (NGTS) Program on 23 August 2026, at Plaza Insan Berprestasi, Complex of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education of the Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta. In collaboration with the DKI Jakarta Provincial Health Office as a co-organizer partner, this initiative provided early health detection access for event participants, comprising teachers, education personnel, and members of the public in attendance.

The service covered 11 screening components, ranging from anthropometric measurements of nutritional status, blood pressure, and blood chemistry screening (blood glucose, cholesterol, and uric acid) to visual acuity and dental examinations. The service post also provided early detection facilities for cervical cancer via IVA tests and clinical breast examinations (SADANIS), served through eight examination desks equipped with an integrated digital queuing system.

All examination results were directly integrated with the SATUSEHAT digital health record platform of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. This technological integration allows participants to regularly monitor their personal health status even after the decade-long NGTS celebration concludes. The tangible benefits of this screening were directly experienced by the attendees. One participant expressed appreciation after completing the entire series of examinations, “I feel healthy and much more relieved. Now I know my health condition for sure. This activity is extremely beneficial for attendees because we could receive a complete check-up for free, from eye and dental checks to cholesterol and cervical screening.”

Another participant also appreciated the service for helping detect potential physical issues that often go unnoticed, “I feel very helped. All this time, I felt completely fine, but after the check-up, it turned out there was a slight issue with my eyes, probably from staring at device screens for too long. This is why free health check-ups like this are important, as medical examinations help us identify conditions that need prompt follow-up.”

This collaboration with the DKI Jakarta Provincial Health Office emphasizes the importance of early detection in maintaining the physical well-being of the school community and the wider public. Through the provision of digitally integrated, free health services, the 10th-anniversary celebration of NGTS continues to foster an AWESOME generation—Active, Well-nourished, and Smart of Me, that cares for their physical well-being for a healthier future.