Breastfeeding: from Biology to Policy (UNSSCN, 1998, 28 p.): Foreword

Breastfeeding: from Biology to Policy (UNSSCN, 1998, 28 p.)

		(introduction...)
		United Nations Administrative Committee on Coordination - Sub-Committee on Nutrition
		Foreword
		Introduction
		The biology of breastfeeding
		Global patterns
		Barriers to optimal breastfeeding
		Breaking the barriers with the baby-friendly community initiative - the Gambia
		Policy issues
		A challenge to SCN member agencies
		References
		Closing Remark made after Ms Semega-Janneh's Lecture
		Comment form the Reviewer

Foreword

Dr Abraham Horwitz was Assistant Director of the National Health Service in Chile from 1953 to 1959, Director of the pan American Health Organization from 1959 to 1975, Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Nutrition 1986-1995, and is currently Director Emeritus, Pan American Health Organization. The Abraham Horwitz Lecture was introduced to the Sub-Committee on Nutrition's agenda in March 1997 at its 24^th Annual Session, in recognition of Dr Abraham Horwitz' outstanding contribution to nutrition, and his exemplary leadership as Chairman of the Sub-Committee.

In an interview in SCN News No. 13, 1995, just after his retirement as Chairman of the SCN, Dr Horwitz sent a message to those Working in nutrition "Keep the faith that you are committed to a most noble cause, the well-being of people whom you do not know but whose needs you feel intensely. Redouble your efforts in whatever you do in nutrition while being bold and imaginative." The intention of the annual Lecture is to continue to promote Dr Horwitz' heartfelt, highly Valued and extremely generous tradition of mentoring young talent from developing countries. Each year a guest lecturer who possesses the knowledge and commitment to prepare a "bold and imaginative" paper is invited to make a presentation at the SCN Session.

The second Abraham Horwitz Lecture was given in March 1998, at the SCN's 25^thSession Symposium on Challenges for the 21^st Century: A Gender perspective on Nutrition Through the Life Cycle, held in Oslo, Norway, by Ms Isatou Jallow Semega-Janneh, on the subject of "Breastfeeding: from Biology to policy". Ms Semega-Janneh is head of the Nutrition unit of the Department of State for Health, Social Welfare and Women's Affairs in Banjul, The Gambia. She also chairs the Board of Directors for The Gambia Food and Nutrition Association and is National Breastfeeding Coordinator in The Gambia.

Keep the faith that you are committed to a most noble cause, the well-being of people whom you do not know but whose needs you feel intensely. Redouble your efforts in whatever you do in nutrition while being bold and imaginative.

Figure

Dr Abraham Horwitz