18th international congress of nutrition 20-23 September 2005, Durban, South Africa: an agenda for the future.

One of the many, perhaps main, functions of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS), is to ensure that every four years an international congress of nutrition (ICN) creates a platform or forum for nutrition scientists, academics and practitioners to exchange the newest results of nutrition research, renew friendships with colleagues and enjoy the cultural heritage of the host country (1).

The next ICN will take place in Durban, South Africa, from 20 to 23 September 2005 with pre-congress events from 17 to 19 September 2005 (2). Professor Pauline Kuzwayo, a prominent nutritionist in Africa is the Congress President. The title of the Congress, 'Nutrition Safari for Innovative Solutions' urges nutritionists from all over the world to journey to Africa to collectively seek new solutions for global nutrition problems. The objectives of the congress are, therefore, not only to exchange new information, but also to stimulate the process of finding innovative solutions to old and new problems.

Keeping this in mind, the program for the congress was developed on a consultative, participatory basis around major challenges facing nutritionists today. Examples of questions asked are: how do we apply knowledge of nutrition to influence strategic thinking and policy, affecting the holistic food system (3)--including agriculture (production), manufacture, marketing (distribution and retailing), consumption, tradition, culture, as well as world trade? How do we ensure that these policies are implemented into responsible actions to prevent hunger, malnutrition and disease, to promote health, and to treat nutrition-related diseases?

Inevitably, there will be a focus on the bleak picture of our failures to substantially decrease hunger and food insecurity--especially in Africa and other developing countries, on our slow progress in eradicating micronutrient deficiencies, and on the increasing co-existence of, and links between under- and overnutrition.

As expected, there will be many reports on the most recent developments in nutrition research, needed for a better understanding of the role of diets, foods, and nutrients in health and disease. This is necessary for the development of our knowledge base that must inform policy and programs on all levels. Hopefully, in seeking innovative solutions, the interactions during the congress will stimulate new, increasingly positive thinking about nutrition. What is needed is almost a paradigm shift, forcing us not only to concentrate on nutrition problems and their multiple causes, but also to analyse the reasons for successes and to apply these strengths in formulating possible solutions.

This objective and approach, of focusing on strengths in seeking solutions, has led to some specific developments in the program. The ICN inter alia aims to bring together representatives of all stakeholders in nutrition science and those who apply the science within the holistic food system. The hope is that open, honest and positive communications between stakeholders will lead to acknowledgements of each other's needs and roles, and also to a better understanding of the problems and possible solutions. What is needed is a movement away from the reductionist approach (that was necessary and useful in the past to generate knowledge about nutritional science) to an integration of this knowledge and information with wisdom, tolerance and goodwill from all stakeholders to form new partnerships for tackling global nutrition problems.

To realise all the objectives of the congress, the scientific program will offer different types of events:

* During 11 plenary sessions, internationally recognised scientists and leaders in their fields, will update delegates on the newest developments in these fields. The topics and speakers were selected from the activities of the existing IUNS Task Forces. Areas that will be addressed include: Nutrition and HIV/AIDS; Poverty and food security; Evidence-based nutrition; Econutrition; Nutrigenomics; Nutrition of children; the nutrition transition; Flavonoids; Global strategies for prevention of non-communicable diseases; Nutrition through the life cycle; Functional claims on foods; and the future of nutrition science and policy according to new principles.

* There will be three special plenary indabas to debate the issues of the relationships between poverty and hunger; individual versus social responsibility regarding obesity; and harmonisation of nutrient and diet recommendations. The outcomes of these debates will be published and, hopefully, consensus statements regarding these controversial issues will give direction to future nutrition research and practice.

* The 48 parallel symposia will create the opportunity for delegates to listen to the newest developments in many fields, introduced by invited keynote speakers, and also to present their own research results in free communications. These symposia are organised in pathways to prevent overlaps and will cover the most important developments in nutrition science and practice.

* Pre-congress workshops on 19 September 2005 and safaris on 17 and 18 September 2005 are organised around specific objectives and create opportunities for in-depth discussions and exchanges of ideas and information. The outcomes of some of these will be declarations, guidelines to practice, and other statements.

* The ICN is also a platform for announcements of special nutrition prizes such as the IUNS award, the Danone, DSM, Nestle and E.V. McCollum awards. There will be memorial lectures for Vernon Young and Clive West, two giants in nutrition research who sadly passed away in 2004.

* The tradition of having a plenary focus symposium that will lead into the next congress that was started by Ibrahim Elmadfa in Vienna, will continue in Durban, with special attention to the nutritional issues in Asia.

* A number of events are planned around capacity building in young scientists and for strengthening nutrition actions in the developing world, especially in Africa. Academic institutions all over the world have helped to train nutritionists for Africa. In Durban in 2005, these nutritionists and those from the African diaspora will have an opportunity to showcase their expertise and report on their actions.

In conclusion, the ICN in Durban in 2005 will be a learning experience for all of us. It will be an opportunity to network with colleagues from around the world and a chance to experience South African hospitality. But hopefully, Durban 2005, will go down in nutrition history as the watershed or Rubicon where nutrition scientists were inspired to seek and design new innovative solutions for the global nutrition problems we have failed to address adequately in the past and those that will challenge us in the future.

References

1. Underwood B. ICN Opening ceremony comments. In: Elmadfa I, Anklam E, Konig JS. Modern Aspects of Nutrition, Present Knowledge and Future Perspectives. Proceedings of the 17th International Congress of Nutrition; Vienna. Basel: Karger;2003. p.9.

2. 18th International Congress of Nutrition web site: http://www.puk.ac.za/iuns

3. Anon. The Indaba declaration on food, nutrition, health and sustainable development. Public Health Nutrition 2002;5:11-713.

HH (Este) Vorster

Chairperson of the Local Core Organising Committee

Director of Research, Faculty of Health Sciences

North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus)

Potchefstroom, South Africa