Angela is now back from Geneva and back to earth. She had a very busy time there attending not only the World Health Assembly meeting but also several “side events”. One such event was a seminar hosted by the Finnish government and was titled “Accelerating National Progress on Tackling Childhood Obesity and Undernutrition in a Sustainable way”.
Speakers at this seminar included Dr. Margaret Chan who is the head of the World Health Organization as well as chef and campaigner Jamie Oliver (who Angela says is better looking in real life). We also heard from the spokesperson from each continent. Representing Australia, was Debra Thoms who is Australia’s Chief Nurse and Midwife.
Another Interesting side event was held at Chateau de Penthes a beautiful area just near the Palais de Nations. This event was sponsored by WHO, UNICEF and Helen Keller International and was titled “Breastfeeding in the 21st Century, New Evidence for galvanizing investments for policies and programmes”.
There was a resolution passed at the meeting and this related to guidance on ending the inappropriate promotion of foods for infants and young children. The guidance clarifies that in order to protect, promote and support breastfeeding, the marketing of follow on formula and growing up milks should be regulated in the same way as newborn formula (0 – 6 Months).
