WARMEST WELCOME |
| Chairperson's Message | FANS President's Message | Founding Father of ACN's Message |
Dear Colleagues (Delegates),
On behalf of the organizing committee, I welcome you to the XI Asian Congress of Nutrition (ACN) which will be held from 13 to 16 July 2011 in Singapore.
The theme of the congress is Nutritional Well-Being for a Progressive Asia – Challenges and Opportunities. As Asia moves into the new decade of the 21st century, it is experiencing changes in infrastructure, communications, technology, and economics. The social and nutritional wellbeing of the population remains critical to this progress. All nutritionists have an important role in promoting good nutrition as Asia continues to progress and develop.
This congress is therefore very timely and would serve as a platform for recent updates in food and nutrition research. It would allow all of us to share expertise and exchange experiences in using new, innovative and applicable ways to address nutrition and health problems; and strengthen our professional network.
The Singapore Nutrition and Dietetics Association is therefore honoured to be able to organize and host the ACN in Singapore, for the first time in more than four decades of ACN history, under the auspices of the Federation of Asian Nutrition Societies (FANS). We thank all adhering members of the FANS for the tremendous support we have received throughout our bid and planning journey leading to this important congress.
Singapore is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, a truly melting pot of East and West. Strategically located in the middle of Asia, it is one of the safest cities in the world and has a wide variety of cuisines and cultures. We have also arranged for half-day educational tour to view Singapore’s healthcare system and programs.
The Congress will take place at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Center, one of the largest and most sophisticated convention & exhibition centers in South-East Asia.
I look forward to welcoming all of you to an exciting congress in an exciting city. I sincerely wish that you have a most pleasant stay in this Lion City and experience everything that is quintessentially “Your Singapore!”!
Yours Sincerely
Chow Pek Yee
Chairperson, XI Asian Congress of Nutrition & President, Singapore Nutrition and Dietetics Association
Greetings to the delegates of the 11th Asian Congress of Nutrition. Federation of Asian Nutrition Societies had 16 members when the 10th Asian Congress of Nutrition was held in Taipei in 2007, but increased to 18 members since October 2009 when Mongolian Association of Nutrition and Food Service Management and Hong Kong Nutrition Association were admitted. I am glad to see the growth of the Federation. The Asian Congress of Nutrition provides opportunity for nutrition scientists to exchange ideas on how to improve nutrition status of Asian or global population, and also discuss about the results of various research presented in the Congress.
During the past several years, particularly in 2008, there were considerable rises in the price of staple foods and some other foods in many Asian countries. This food crisis, which possibly increased the number of hungry and under-nourished people in some areas of Asia, is perhaps beyond the ability of nutrition scientists alone to overcome. In the future we may again face food crisis of various causes. I hope nutrition scientists, in cooperation with agriculture experts and policy makers, will be able to face such a challenge.
May I wish the 11th Asian Congress of Nutrition all the success. My best wishes to the Congress organizers.
Po-Chao Huang, M.D., D.M.Sc.
President, FANS
Friends, I am happy to send my heartiest greetings and felicitations to the organizers and participants of the XI Asian Congress of Nutrition.
I congratulate the organisers for having selected the theme:"Nutritional wellbeing for a progressive Asia: challenges and opportunities."
As you all know, the first ACN was held in Hyderabad, India, with the objective of promoting solidarity among nutrition scientists of Asia; providing a forum for the scientists to meet and share their insights and expertise; stimulating nutrition science research in the countries of Asia; and, most importantly, to work towards improving the nutritional and health status of the populations of this continent.
It gives me enormous satisfaction that the candle that was lit many decades ago in Hyderabad continues to glow, that the scientists of the region have continued to meet regularly, and that a new generation is carrying the movement forwards with enthusiasm.
The Asian Congress movement is here to stay. Indeed, today it is more relevant than ever before, because there are new challenges for nutrition scientists and also new opportunities.
The countries of Asia are in different stages of developmental and demographic transition. Some of these countries were under colonial rule till the earlier part of the last century. Many of the Asian countries have policies and programmes aimed at eliminating poverty and undernutrition, and there has been a steady, though uneven, improvement in the health and nutrition status of the populations of Asia. However, the emergence from deprivation to relative affluence could also carry some risks if adequate attention is not paid to ensuring wholesome dietary and lifestyle practices. The problem of obesity, including childhood obesity, and nutrition-related chronic diseases such as diabetes could become major problems in our countries unless efforts are made to regulate developmental transition. The demographic transition also throws up the challenge of ensuring the nutritional health and wellbeing of growing numbers of the elderly.
I am sure the XI Asian Congress of Nutrition will draw pointed attention to these present and potential challenges. I am personally happy that this meeting is being organised in Singapore, a country known for the civic sense and discipline of its people.
I wish the Congress all success.
Dr C Gopalan, Founder,
Asian Congress of Nutrition
President, Nutrition Foundation of India, New Delhi
