SEAMEO RECFON Organized a Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on the 4th Five-Year Development Plan 2026–2030

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEAMEO RECFON organized a Stakeholder Consultation Workshop to formulate its 4^th Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP) 2026–2030 on 29 August 2025 in Jakarta. The event was attended by 63 participants from government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, university partners, schools, and SEAMEO Centers Indonesia.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Herqutanto, MPH, MARS, Sp.KKLP, Director of SEAMEO RECFON, underlined the importance of the FYDP as a policy direction for the Centre’s work in food and nutrition.

“We know that a five-year development plan is a very strategic issue for all of us. As we develop our 4^th FYDP, we need to look back at what we have achieved in the past, while also envisioning what SEAMEO RECFON should accomplish in the next five years. This plan must not only be ambitious but also achievable, and for that, we greatly value the inputs and feedback from all stakeholders,” he said.

The workshop featured the presentation of the draft 4^th FYDP, which includes the vision, mission, goals, key strategies, and new initiatives focusing on strengthening research, enhancing capacity building, policy advocacy, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and organizational resilience.

The discussion, moderated by Dr. Jesus Corpuz Fernandez, generated valuable inputs, including the need for interdisciplinary research, cross-sector collaboration, and maintaining a regional perspective to ensure broader impact. Participants stressed the importance of linking climate change and food systems to food and nutrition security, while engaging subnational governments and communities—especially women, youth, and indigenous groups—in program implementation. They also highlighted the integration of nutrition in emergency response and continued participation in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program.

Stakeholders further recommended expanding the Centre’s role through investment in leadership training for young nutritionists, addressing food safety and food waste, and leveraging artificial intelligence to strengthen operations. They underscored the need to sustain research and capacity building on sustainable food systems and food safety, as well as developing policy briefs to support government initiatives and promote healthy food environments. Collectively, these insights point toward a more inclusive, adaptive, and forward-looking strategic plan for the next five years.

 

In addition to feedback, participants expressed appreciation for SEAMEO RECFON’s achievements in the previous period and commended its initiative to draft a new strategic plan. Ms. Mona Farida from SMP Muhammadiyah 36 Jakarta, one of the NGTS beneficiary schools, shared that since the COVID-19 pandemic, students have adopted healthier habits such as practicing balanced breakfasts, exercising regularly, and running a healthy canteen program led by student ambassadors. The teacher stressed that the real impact lies in fostering students’ awareness and participation, and expressed hope that nutrition education will be further integrated into co-curricular activities across subjects through creative approaches that engage both children and parents. With sustained support, they believe RECFON’s initiatives can instill healthy nutrition as a consistent lifestyle habit for Indonesian children.

Concluding the event, Dr. Herqutanto thanked all participants for their contributions. “Thank you very much for all the input and support. These valuable insights will help us refine the FYDP to make it more relevant and impactful for the region,” he remarked.

The feedback gathered from the workshop will serve as a key reference in finalizing the FYDP 2026–2030, which is scheduled to be presented at the SEAMEO RECFON Governing Board Meeting in September.