The Copenhagen Consensus has announced on May 14 that its 2012 expert panel has put malnourishment as the top priority for policy-makers and philanthropists with a cost benefit analysis.
The global Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement has now gained momentum with the convening of 27 leaders committed to advancing the strength and security of nations by improving maternal and child nutrition. This influential group, appointed by UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon to represent the many countries, organisations and sectors working to improve nutrition, will serve as strategic guide for this global movement, according to the release issued by the UN.
"Never before have so many leaders, from so many countries and fields, agreed to work together to improve nutrition," said Ban Ki-moon.
SUN, is a global push for action and investment to improve maternal and child nutrition. Evidence shows that proper nutrition during the 1,000 days between a woman's pregnancy and her child's second birthday gives children a healthy start at life. Poor nutrition during this period leads to irreversible consequences such as stunted growth and impaired cognitive development. Improving nutrition is a precondition to achieving goals of eradicating poverty and hunger, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health and combating disease - which all contribute to a stronger future for communities and nations.
"It is time to recognise nutritional status not only as a marker of progress in development, but also as a maker of progress - and a key to more sustainable development. We must invest now in programmes to prevent stunting or risk diminishing the impact of other investments in education, health and child protection," said Anthony Lake, executive director, UNICEF, who has been appointed by Ban to chair the lead group.
