SEAMEO RECFON

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.

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

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

Jakarta, 9-13 March

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#SEAMEORECFON

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

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

19 February 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jakarta, 4 - 6 March 2026

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

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

Commitment Reinforcement and Partnership Evaluation

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

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

Partnership Is More Than Just Results, It’s Collaboration

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

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

Strengthening Policy Synergy and Developing a Collaboration Framework

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Planning, Coordination, Monitoring, and Evaluation of Partnerships

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

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