Brasilia, Brazil, October 2, 2023 – The Ministry of Education (MINED), in partnership with the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua UNAN-Managua, the National Council of Universities (CNU), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with the support of International Cooperation Brazil-FAO, implemented the training course “School Feeding as a Strategy for a Healthy Life.”

The course was conducted virtually through the Open University Online of Nicaragua (UALN), with the participation of 97 professionals from the educational system. They strengthened technical and methodological capacities to contribute to the enhancement of public policies in school feeding throughout the country, implementing them in schools through the promotion of healthy habits and nutritional practices. 

Ramona Rodríguez, rector of UNAN-Managua and president of CNU, highlighted: “The course is a victory achieved by the entire educational system. Educational actions must have a comprehensive approach. Healthy school menus and school feeding activities should be conceived as tools for learning, as proposed by the FAO, fostering the educational community to improve their food choices.”

Liliam Herrera, Minister of Education, commented that professionals who took the course have the responsibility to learn and continue to contribute significantly to the development of childhood. “If you do not prepare yourselves, we cannot continue to advance in educational quality,” she said.

Brazil-FAO Cooperation and its support for school feeding

The course was developed within the framework of the project “Consolidation of School Feeding Programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean,” executed by the Brazil-FAO Cooperation. This cooperation comprises the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), the National Fund for Educational Development (FNDE), and the FAO. 

Paola Barbieri, project analyst at the Brazilian Cooperation Agency, praised the serious and committed work of UNAN-Managua, teachers, and the support of the Nicaraguan government throughout the course. She reinforced the agency’s support in strengthening the capacities of local professionals to promote the development of countries. “One of the main reasons for the existence of ABC and our Cooperation is to support the exchange of knowledge and the strengthening of capacities, at the institutional, organizational, and individual levels in partner countries. We are confident that the results of this training will enrich the training processes to be carried out within the scope of our Sustainable School Feeding Network (RAES).”

“May this practice serve as inspiration to be shared by the countries that are part of RAES,” added Germana Belchior, on behalf of FNDE. “It is necessary to understand school feeding not only in its nutritional nature but as a human and fundamental right for the dignity of youth and children. In this sense, teacher training and training actions are important to achieve this goal”.

Brazil-FAO Cooperation and its support for school feeding

The course was developed within the framework of the project “Consolidation of School Feeding Programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean,” executed by the Brazil-FAO Cooperation. This cooperation comprises the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), the National Fund for Educational Development (FNDE), and the FAO. 

Paola Barbieri, project analyst at the Brazilian Cooperation Agency, praised the serious and committed work of UNAN-Managua, teachers, and the support of the Nicaraguan government throughout the course. She reinforced the agency’s support in strengthening the capacities of local professionals to promote the development of countries. “One of the main reasons for the existence of ABC and our Cooperation is to support the exchange of knowledge and the strengthening of capacities, at the institutional, organizational, and individual levels in partner countries. We are confident that the results of this training will enrich the training processes to be carried out within the scope of our Sustainable School Feeding Network (RAES).”

“May this practice serve as inspiration to be shared by the countries that are part of RAES,” added Germana Belchior, on behalf of FNDE. “It is necessary to understand school feeding not only in its nutritional nature but as a human and fundamental right for the dignity of youth and children. In this sense, teacher training and training actions are important to achieve this goal”