This fifth course has representation from indigenously influenced areas such as Misquitos, Tawahkas, Pech, Garífunas and Lenca communities. It will cover issues on climate change and response to emergencies.
Zamorano, the Technical Unit for Food Security and Nutrition (UTSAN), and the European Union (UE), inaugurated on March 18th the fifth course on Food and Nutritional Security (SAN). Training will be given to technical staff of the northern Honduran area who work with government projects with emphasis on feeding, health and nutrition. The purpose of this course is to strengthen human resource capacity and contribute to information availability on the themes addressed to train leaders who contribute to the Sustainable Development Objective (ODS) of zero hunger.
The online ceremony was directed by Dr. Adriana Hernández, Head of Zamorano´s Human Nutrition Laboratory and SAN´s course coordinator. Dra. Adela Acosta, Zamorano´s Food and Science Technology Department Director, was present as well as Mr. Alfredo Gadea, attaché of the European Cooperation in Honduras and representative of SAN, and Ing. Lino Pacheco, UTSAN Director. Also in attendance were the module and workshop trainers of the course and the 80 participants from across 14 departments of Honduras.
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- Representante de la Unión Europea (UE)
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- Ing. Lino Pacheco
In their speeches, the special guests urged participants to contribute to changes in the country, to improve policies and to design SAN programs adapted to the national context. Dr. Acosta welcomed and congratulated the participants for being part of the course. Likewise, the EU attaché expressed his satisfaction at being part of the fifth edition of the course (Zamorano version), emphasizing that, despite the difficulties and the current health situation, it is a priority to form a critical and sensitive mass with the capacity and skills to take action towards contributing to zero hunger in Honduras.
“The initiatives of SAN and climate change are extremely important for the European Union. Europe intends to be the first climate neutral continent by 2050. This implies a significant change and the adoption of new standards of the global commitment to promoting trade and sustainable actions. Through the green pact, the aim is to create a new economic paradigm, to improve the health and quality of life of the population using natural resources. Support programs in Honduras aim to promote research and innovation in the food area, promote healthy diets and that include the value chains, and – where possible – the prevention of crisis or alternatively when not preventable, a thoughtful response to crisis”, Gadea emphasized.
For his part, the UTSAN director offered words of gratitude for the support and assistance that Zamorano has shown in each of the diplomas. He also expressed his satisfaction with the representation of areas of indigenous influence and
congratulated the participants who work with Miskitos, Tawahkas, Pech, Garifunas and Lenca communities.
“It is a priority for UTSAN to train trained personnel within indigenous communities and improve the quality of professionals in terms of availability, consumption, access, policy and SAN tools in the country. During the course, they will have the opportunity to identify families in emergency and food crisis. The analysis and appropriate interventions that allow improving the care of the population will be just some of the competences that they will acquire throughout the course”, said Ing. Pacheco.
It is noted that the first three sessions of the course addressed general issues of food and nutritional security in Honduras. The fourth session of the course ended in July 2020 and focused on nutritional surveillance. This time, the emphasis will be on SAN in the northern part of the country, and so the issue of climate change and response to emergencies will be highlighted.
The fifth session of the course lasts six months and consists of four modules and four workshops that will be given by experienced and highly qualified professionals in politics, sustainability, food, health and nutrition. Undoubtedly, the participants will be leaders and change agents for Honduras, and will join the existing network of SAN technicians.
