On November 3rd a public seminar entitled, "Nutrition Issues in Armenia: How Can We Improve?" will take place with the support of the American University of Armenia (AUA), World Vision (WV) Armenia, and Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR). According to <The Lancet> medical journal, about 3 million children worldwide die each year from malnutrition. This number can be reduced with better nutrition. World Vision's International report on nutrition issues suggests that in current social conditions, establishing appropriate child nutrition knowledge and habits among parents and guardians is essential. The first 1000 days, from pregnancy to the second year is crucial to a child's life. Proper nutrition can advance each child's healthy growth and development. Nevertheless, the interventions aimed to solve malnutrition and other nutrition issues are not only health policy issues; they are also agricultural, educational and social policy issues. The key note speaker of the seminar will be Professor Richard Dekelbaum, Director of the Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia Medical School in New York, who has been invited by the Fund for Armenian Relief. His presentation is entitled, "Cost of the Double Burden: Over and Under-Nutrition." The detailed agenda of the event is attached. Agenda November 3, 2011 at 18:00 American University of Armenia, AUA PAB, Manoogian Hall 18:00 Reception 18:30-18:40 Welcoming remarks Kim Hekimian, College of Health Sciences, AUA 18:40-18:50 Children Nutrition Situation in Armenia Karine Saribekyan Head of the Mother and Child Health Department, Ministry of Health of RA 18:50-19:00 Improvements in Nutriton Legislation in Armenia Lena Nanushyan Health Expert, Standing Commitee on Health Care, Mothernity and Childhood, Parliament of RA 19:00-19:10 The Best Start for Life Naira Gharakhanyan Head of the “Child Health Now” campaign, World Vision Armenia 19:10-19:55 Cost of the Double Burden: Over and under nutrition Richard Deckelbaum Director of the Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia Medical School in NY 19:55-20:20 Questions/Answers Session 20:20-20:30 Conclusion Kim Hekimian College of Health Sciences, AUA

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