Approach to Community Empowerment and Nutrition Knowledge Management for the Young Generation: Efforts to Get a Golden Indonesia 2045

The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Universitas Indonesia (UI) is holding another online seminar on Friday, March 8, 2024. Presenting two expert speakers in the field of nutrition, FPH UI is collaborating with SUN Academia & OP Network Indonesia to hold the FPH UI Online Seminar Series 5.

“This seminar is intended from and for all of us. “So, we will jointly disseminate what we have done as a form of contribution from SUN Academia members and professional organizations to the community,” said Dr. Ir. Asih Setiarini, M.Sc., Deputy Dean for Education, Research and Student Affairs FPH UI and Coordinator of SUN Academia and the Indonesian Professional Organization (OP) Network.

Stunting indicates chronic nutritional problems. The stunting problem requires a multi-sector approach, such as professional organizations (OP) and stakeholders/government (ODP). The stunting problem is important because it is related to the demographic bonus that will be achieved as an effort towards a Golden Indonesia 2045.

Lecturer in Nutrition Science, Andalas University Padang, Dr. Frima Elda, S.K.M., M.K.M., delivered her material entitled “Efforts to Accelerate Stunting through a Community Empowerment Approach”. Stunting is still a national priority as evidenced by government regulations regarding the National Action Plan for Reducing Stunting Rates in Indonesia for 2021-2024 which gives the BKKBN a leading sector role. The National Strategy (National Strategy for Accelerating Stunting Reduction) has five pillars that are confirmed, namely through commitment, communication of behavior changes and community empowerment, convergence, food, and nutrition security, as well as strengthening and developing systems, data, information, research and innovation.

“There is an interesting analogy. When farming to produce quality paddy or rice, of course you need good seeds and processing. Likewise with a child. The pre-conception period or pregnancy period must be prepared as well as possible so that the nutritional status of the mother and the growth and development of the fetus are good. “So, intake or anything related to it must be well controlled in order to give birth to a healthy child,” said Dr. Frima Elda. “The approach to society that can be taken is an approach to youth groups, namely preparing healthy teenagers by involving them as agents of change and forming peer groups. “Then, the PKK group plays an important role in encouraging the role of families in preparing to prevent stunting, as well as the role of religious leaders and groups of community leaders in various regions in providing understanding regarding stunting,” added Dr. Frima.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ni Ketut Aryastami, M.C.N., M.Sc., Researcher at the National Research, and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and the Association of Indonesian Nutritionists (PERSAGI) delivered material entitled “Welcoming an Advanced Indonesia through Action and Nutrition Knowledge Management for the Young Generation”. Advanced Indonesia is intended to create a developed and prosperous Indonesia that is equal and equal to other nations through the nation’s capabilities and strengths that can be relied upon.

Knowledge management is a set of tools, methods and strategies used to analyze, retain, share, improve and organize information to effectively turn it into an asset. “In moving towards a golden Indonesia 2045, we need knowledge management that can transfer tacit knowledge, namely knowledge that is difficult to translate, so that it can become explicit knowledge that can be understood and instilled in the younger generation,” said Dr. Tami.

“The role of nutrition in moving towards an advanced Indonesia is not limited to the problem of stunting, but also to preventive efforts involving multiple causal factors. However, to create an independent, advanced, just, and prosperous society requires physical resilience which comes from good nutritional intake. “The role of professional organizations such as PERSAGI is very much needed in supporting Advanced Indonesia 2045, starting from conducting substance outreach, community assistance, developing the quality of its members, structuring human resources, to advocacy functions to relevant stakeholders,” added Dr. Tami. (ITM)