On August 29 – 31, representatives from more than 20 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean will convene in Brasilia for an event that aims to chart out pathways to strengthen human capital in the region so that every person is able to reach their full potential. The “Power of Multisectoral Approaches to Human Capital Development” event is organized by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), with support from the Brazilian government and the Federal District government.
The event will provide a platform for the region’s Ministers of Education, Social Development and Finance, as well as international financial institutions, United Nations entities and other key actors, to collaborate for the development of human and social capital. The opening session, on Tuesday, August 29, will feature the Brazilian ministers of Education, Camilo Santana, and Social Development, Wellington Dias; Ambassador Antonio Sá Ricarte, from the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Valerie Guarnieri, WFP Deputy Executive Director; Lola Castro, WFP Regional Director; Morgan Doyle, IDB Representative in Brazil; and Silvia Rucks, UN Resident Coordinator in Brazil.
The discussions will highlight the need for multisectoral approaches that connect education, food security and nutrition to human capital development. Two complementary approaches will be discussed: school feeding and social protection systems. Attendees will also share lessons learned in programmes and policies, as well as the latest evidence during the event.
In addition to the technical panels, participants will be able to visit public schools participating in the Brazilian National School Feeding Program (PNAE) to closely observe aspects such as menu development, purchases from family farming and food and nutrition education activities.
Launch of publications
Also as part of the programme, two documents will be launched: the publication “State of School Feeding in Latin America and the Caribbean 2022,” developed by the IDB and WFP; and the regional study ” Social Protection Pathways to Nutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean”, developed by WFP in partnership with the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
The launch sessions will be streamed online:
August 29, 11:30 a.m.: “State of School Feeding in Latin America and the Caribbean 2022.”
Follow live in English and Spanish.
August 30, at 9:00 a.m.: “Social Protection Routes for Nutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean.”
Follow live in English and Spanish.