Jakarta, 7 November 2024 – SEAMEO RECFON through the NGTS Program strengthened training for community leaders of Lao PDR’s Sangthong District and had a visit to Lao PDR NGTS’ school from 28 October to 2 November 2024. This activity was represented by 2 RECFON’s representatives, Dr. Jess Fernandez & Dr. Iswarawanti.

This training generally aims to enable the community leaders of Sangthong District to reflect on and reinforce their mandates to be actively involved and committed in the implementation of a school-based nutrition promotion program. This objective is specifically to deepen their awareness of the concepts and principles of community leadership, strengthen their roles and functions in helping the school children to receive proper nutrition, and develop a plan of actions that would contribute to the implementation of the NGTS Program.

The local leaders formulated action plans toward helping improve the nutritional status of the children in the NGTS schools in their respective villages.

The local leaders received lectures on the concepts and principles of community leadership, the importance of balanced nutrition to the overall well-being of school children, establishing a community-based nutrition program for schools, developing action plans and about the NGTS Program.

The local leaders presented their action plans and received comments and suggestions for improvement  from the Department of Inclusive Education Officer and Santhong District education officer of the  Ministry of Education of Lao PDR as well as from SEAMEO RECFON and SEAMEO CED resource persons.