On 19 February, FAO Cambodia joined with Helen Keller International (HKI) and the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the World Food Program (WFP), and United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF) in a training of facilitators for working with youth on food systems and healthy diets. The team is preparing for a three-day Youth Nutrition Camp to be held in Kep Province 7-9 April 2020.

The training of the facilitators took place in Kampot and Kep provinces from 19 to 21 February, providing opportunities for facilitators to learn new skills and to visit the sites to be used for the Nutrition Camp.  

Working with an enthusiastic team of young staff and the Helen Keller Youth Nutrition Champions, the training was both enjoyable and informative for all involved. A cooking competition arranged with the kind assistance of Robert Caron of the Vine Retreat was a highlight of the training.

Youth Nutrition Champions, inspired and led by Ms Chhun Bormey of HKI, are the main facilitators for youth engagement and training on food systems, nutrition and healthy diets in the upcoming Nutrition Camp, while staff of the EU-FAO FIRST Programme, UNICEF, WFP, CARD, and HKI perform advisory roles in support of the facilitators.

A range of activities including a cooking competition and several site visits will be conducted during the Youth Nutrition Camp aimed at raising awareness and understanding among young Cambodians, who are future leaders and agents of change, of how food systems impact their lives and the social and economic development of the country.  

Participation for the Youth Nutrition Camp is on a competitive basis, with limited places available and priorities set to ensure genuine interest in food systems and healthy diets, as well as to encourage diversity and inclusiveness. Specialist staff from HKI have assisted with preparations and youth communications and engagement.

This event is supported by CARD, Helen Keller International, the EU-FAO FIRST Programme, UNICEF and WFP to accelerate progress towards the achievement of Cambodia SDG 2, under the joint priorities for Food Systems Improvement and Healthy Diets of the National Strategy for Food Security and Nutrition 2019-2023; and to contribute to the Youth and Nutrition Accelerators for the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for Cambodia 2019-2023. The initiative builds on the successful sequence of Youth Forums for Nutrition in Cambodia during 2019 led by CARD, HKI and the WHO.

More details of the activity and application information is available at https://www.facebook.com/events/183033023105841/