UNICEF and Jagran Lakecity University on Thursday signed a statement of Intent to set up State Secretariat for Impact4Nutrition (I4N). This State secretariat is part of Impact4Nutrition network to engage private sector on nutrition and is the first State Secretariat in India.
An event was organised at JLU campus which was addressed by Margaret Gwada, Chief of UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh, Arjan de Wagt, Chief of Nutrition, UNICEF India and Richard Beighton, Chief of Resource Mobilisation & Partnerships, UNICEF India who were virtually present on the occasion. As a part of this collaboration, an I4N Secretariat has been set up in Jagran Lakecity University and shall act as the hub of I4N initiatives with diverse stakeholders including the private sector partners and industry bodies including FIICI, CII Young Indians (Madhya Pradesh Chapter) and others in MP.
It is platform for cooperation between JLU and UNICEF to mutually complement efforts to support State on nutrition. Both will curate opportunities of public-private sector collaborations and partnerships in Madhya Pradesh, through the IMPAct4Nutrition platform.
Speaking on the occasion of launch of the I4N Secretariat, Abhishek Mohan Gupta, Pro Chancellor, Jagran Lakecity University and Founding Chairman FICCI Youth Leaders Forum stated “We are absolutely thrilled and honoured to have this meaningful alliance come to fruition. We look forward to making an impact around this critical area of nutrition and women & child development.“
Margaret Gwada, Chief, UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh is therefore delighted to be a partner of this Impact for Nutrition (I4N) secretariat that will facilitate the mapping and engagement of the private sector to mobilize and harness their individual capacities/ power for nutrition. Contribution from the private sector is key in augmenting Govt’s efforts in achieving its POSHAN Abhiyaan (Nutrition Mission) goals and targets, with promotion of good nutrition across the business ecosystem using responsible business practices or through employee engagement.
Arjan de Waqt, Chief, Nutrition, UNICEF India congratulated Madhya Pradesh to start the first State Chapter, and said that ‘we need to utilize private sector resources and energy of corporates to make impact on nutrition. Private sector is key to unlock the progress on nutrition and to stop child malnutrition’.
Richard Beighton, Chief, Resource Mobilisation and Partnerships, UNICEF India said that this is landmark step. He said that private sector can contribute assets, cash and commit its employees to nutrition interventions through their CSR, workforce nutrition, capacity development and nutrition literacy sensitization activities etc as part of Impact4Nutrition.