Stockholm World Water Week 2017

Background

Background: SDG-Synergies: Countries link WASH and nutrition to reduce malnutrition

45 percent of deaths of girls and boys under 5 years old are attributable to undernutrition. The factors and pathways leading to undernutrition are diverse, complex and most often interconnected: water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) play a considerable role in these pathways.

From 27 August to 1 September 2017, thousands gathered in Stockholm, Sweden, to exchange ideas, foster new thinking and develop solutions to the most pressing water-related issues. As part of our partnership with Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) Partnership, we collaborated for the second year in a row to bring the nutrition narrative into the WASH discussion.

Four WASH-nutrition sessions were held to unpack how the two sectors can be better designed to effectively contribute to the overall achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Considerable contributions came from partners WaterAid, Action Against Hunger, ENN, Share, the Sustainable Sanitation Alliance, the World Bank, the German WASH Network, and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Agenda

Event: SDG-Synergies: Countries link WASH and nutrition to reduce malnutrition

28 August | 14.00-15.30 | Room: NL 357

14:00 Opening, Thilo Panzerbieter, Chair of German WASH Network

14:05 Introduction to the issue and defining the scope of the discussion, Dr. Mushtaque Chowdhury, BRAC, member of the SUN Movement Lead Group and the Sanitation and Water for All Leaders Group

14:10 Presentation,  Government representative from Nepal, Dr. Prof. Geeta Bhakta Joshi, SUN Government Focal Point, Honourable member of the National Planning Commission of Nepal and Coordinator of the National Nutrition and Food Security Coordination Committee.

14:20 Presentation, Government representative from Madagascar, Mr Ambinintsoa Andriamboahangy Raveloharison, Coordinator of the National Nutrition Office and SUN Government Focal Point.

14:30 Presentation, Government representative from Chad, Mr. Ramadane Kaboul Adoum, WASH engineer and Member of the Technical Committee.

14:42 Panel discussion, moderation by Catarina de Albuquerque, Executive Chair of Sanitation and Water for All. Panellists include Dr. Prof. Geeta Bhakta Joshi, Mr Ambinintsoa Andriamboahangy Raveloharison, Mr. Ramadane Kaboul Adoum, Dr. Mushtaque Chowdhury and Dr. Stefan Schmitz Commissioner for the special initiative “ONE WORLD – No Hunger“ and Head of Directorate 12: Food; agriculture and rural development, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

15:24 Reflections and the India experience, Mr. Arun Baroka, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Director of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Keep India Clean Mission)

15:30 Close of Session

 

Summary

Summary

On 28 August, the session was focused on the linkages between WASH and nutrition policies, budgets, programmes and politics. Opened by Dr. Mushtaque Chowdhury, vice-chairperson of BRAC and a member of both the SUN Movement Lead Group and the SWA Leaders Group, the audience heard about the critical links between both sectors and how leadership on the integration of both issues must be heard at all levels.

Building on this, the perspective of government officials was put at the centre of the discussion from two member countries of the SUN Movement and SWA:

  • From Madagascar, Mr Ambinintsoa Andriamboahangy Raveloharison, Coordinator of the National Nutrition Office and SUN Government Focal Point.
  • From Nepal, Prof. Geeta Bhakta Joshi, SUN Government Focal Point, Honourable member of the National Planning Commission of Nepal and Coordinator of the National Nutrition and Food Security Coordination Committee.

Both presenters shared the background about the nutrition situation in their respective states and how they are working across sectors, including WASH, to collaborate to ensure cohesive action for better nutrition outcomes.  On behalf of a Chad representative who was not able to make the session, Natalia Uribe of Action Against Hunger shared their country case study, with special attention to how actors across civil society organisations are working together with the government on WASH and nutrition linkages.

These presentations were followed by an engaging panel discussion moderated by Catarina de Albuquerque, Executive Chair of SWA. Along with the country presenters, Dr. Stefan Schmitz of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development joined the panel, sharing his views and showing interest in what countries need to further their good efforts. Finally, to wrap up the session, Mr Arun Baroka, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Director of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Keep India Clean Mission) shared how the well-known Swachh Bharat Mission is contributing to nutrition outcomes.

 


Photos

Photos

 


The link to the event at the official Stockholm World Water Week website you will find here


Convener

Action contre la faim / Emergency Nutrition Network / Sanitation and Water for All / Scaling Up Nutrition Movement / SHARE Research Consortium / The German WASH Network / The World Bank Group / WaterAid / Sustainable Sanitation Alliance / Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany


Speakers

Dr. Mushtaque Chowdhury, BRAC, member of the SUN Movement Lead Group and the Sanitation and Water for All Leaders Group

Prof. Geeta Bhakta Joshi, SUN Government Focal Point, Honourable member of the National Planning Commission of Nepal and Coordinator of the National Nutrition and Food Security Coordination Committee

Mr Ambinintsoa Andriamboahangy Raveloharison, Coordinator of the National Nutrition Office and SUN Government Focal Point for Madagascar

Ms Catarina de Albuquerque, Executive Chair of Sanitation and Water for All

Dr. Stefan Schmitz Commissioner for the special initiative “ONE WORLD – No Hunger“ and Head of Directorate 12: Food; agriculture and rural development, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development

Mr Arun Baroka, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Director of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Keep India Clean Mission)

 


In Collaboration with

 


Supported by