2020 SUN Lead Group meeting
On Monday 7 December 2020, the SUN Movement Lead Group gathered for their annual meeting virtually, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting was hosted and moderated by the Chair of the SUN Lead Group, Henrietta H. Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF. At this…
On Monday 7 December 2020, the SUN Movement Lead Group gathered for their annual meeting virtually, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting was hosted and moderated by the Chair of the SUN Lead Group, Henrietta H. Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF.
At this meeting, Lead Group members discussed the latest draft of the SUN Movement strategy (2021-2025), presenting their views and sharing their guidance for its finalisation, following a true whole-of-Movement collaborative process.
“The Lead Group plays such an important role in the Movement and it is wonderful to see your guidance during the August meeting reflected in the final draft strategy. It is much appreciated,” said Gerda Verburg, SUN Movement Coordinator. “The COVID-19 pandemic means that, in all probability, an extra 10,000 children a month are dying of malnutrition. I can only imagine the impact on their families. So, it’s even more important that we stand together. That we build on what we have done, learn the lessons from a crisis like this and get nutrition systems right at country level,” she argued.
Across this esteemed group of nutrition champions, there was wide agreement that the last Strategy draft was much improved and reflects many of the concerns and comments voiced at the last meeting on the matter – held in August 2020 – and concerns and comments expressed by SUN Movement countries, support system and partners.
Members pointed to the importance of being country-led and country-driven in the operationalisation and implementation of the Strategy. Furthermore, building on the multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder and systems approach of SUN will be essential and will require all Movement actors to step up, also in their support, for lasting human impact.
“I firmly believe that we are stronger when we come together: when we bring our best thinking and innovations, we can achieve more impactful and sustainable results. Led by countries, SUN can catalyse and drive the actions needed to ensure that every child, adolescent, mother and family realise their right to food and nutrition.”
Henrietta H. Fore, SUN Movement Lead Group Chair and UNICEF Executive Director
SUN Executive Committee Chair, Meera Shekar, presented the SUN Movement Strategy (2021-2025) including its strategic objectives:
(1) Strengthen and sustain strong policy and advocacy environments at the sub-national, national, regional and global levels to position nutrition outcomes as a key maker and marker of sustainable development;
(2) Develop and align shared country priorities for action;
(3) Build and strengthen country capacity to develop, prioritise, finance, implement and track country actions through strengthened technical assistance and knowledge management;
(4) Ensure governance of SUN that promotes country leadership and responsibilities of government, aligns the resources of all Movement stakeholders behind country priorities, strengthens mutual accountability between Movement stakeholders and to those most at risk of malnutrition, with robust mechanisms to encourage and ensure such promotion, alignment and mutual accountability is realised. In fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS), where the government may be unwilling or unable to lead, SUN partners shall work together in collaboration with humanitarian actors and include them in any multi-stakeholder platforms.
“SUN has a pivotal role – to rebuild a system more inclusive and resilient. But this is not only about recovery. With the SUN third phase, we must seize the opportunity that this crisis presents with both hands – we must stave off a looming malnutrition crisis.”
The Hon. Karina Gould, Minister of International Development of Canada
And here we go!!! Great opening words from @unicefchief to kick off the 2020 SUN Lead Group meeting.
“Now is the time to step up and scale up, to meet our nutrition goals. We need new ambition matched by collective actions to drive progress.” #SUNLG #InvestInNutrition pic.twitter.com/3ec6Bns4Ep
— Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement (@SUN_Movement) December 7, 2020
During the meeting, the Lead Group members were also able to share their achievements over the past year (2019-2020), as members of this esteemed group. They also made ambitious and SMART (specific, measurable achievable, realistic and timebound) commitments for 2021, outlining how each member will guide the Movement into the third phase, and help bring about the system changes needed to end all forms of malnutrition.
To watch SUN Lead Group members’ commitments, go here: SUN LG 2021 commitments.
• Minutes: SUN Movement Lead Group Meeting (Dec. 2020) English | Français | Español
• Summary notes: SUN Movement Lead Group Meeting, (Dec. 2020) English | Français | Español
Thank you to ALL SUN lovers and champions ♥️
As said by SUN Coordinator @GerdaVerburg:
“Thank you for your commitment. Thank you for prioritising nutrition and the SUN Movement, as I know you have many competing asks for your time”#SUNLG #InvestInNutrition #COVID19nutrition pic.twitter.com/2E0kqNehQE
— Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement (@SUN_Movement) December 7, 2020