Project Description
The short course aimed to contribute to improved nutrition indicators and food security policy in Sri Lanka and opened the door to further collaboration and capacity development between Sri Lankan practitioners and their Australian counterparts. This short course provided a point of reference in considering the future of health and nutrition policy in Australia, while also serving to inform the development of future Australian Programs in Sri Lanka.
Project Personnel and Beneficiaries
The Participants’ organisations and government agencies included:
– University of Ruhuna
– Divisional Secretariat Walasmulla
– Nutrition division, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka
– University of Peradeniya
– University of Sri Lanka
– T-Field Child Development Federation
– Industrial Technology Institute
– ChildFund Sri Lanka
– Ministry of Health
– Medical Research Institute
Outcomes to Date
Course participants were required to prepare Award Projects based on the learning outcomes. These projects were continuously reviewed and discussed with their group mentor throughout the course. Projects included:
– Improved Nutrition Status of Under 5 Children in Tea Plantations through Nutritional Education of Parents
– The development of a Nutrition Education Module to disseminate FBDGs for Sri Lankans
– Operational Assessment of the School Mid-Day Meal Programme in Sri Lanka
– Knowledge and Myths related to Food and Nutrition among Pregnant Women
in Kandy District in Sri Lanka
– Knowledge, attitudes, perceived barriers and challenges of preschool teachers on the preschool meal programme in Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area
Project Significance
Despite significant achievements in human development, Sri Lanka still faces many socioeconomic challenges, including the impact of a nutritional ‘double burden’ of undernutrition and overnutrition. The course aims to contribute to SDG 2 – End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. Participants attended presentations and site visits in Australia, providing education and opportunities that could be used for improved nutrition and food security in Sri Lanka.