Stunting in Indonesia: Costs, Causes and Courses of Action

Regional Economic Studies Programme Seminar

About the Seminar

Childhood stunting has recently begun to receive greater public attention in Indonesia, but sadly there remains a general lack of understanding surrounding the issue. Factors such as poverty, chronic infection caused by malnutrition and an overall lack of sanitation cause stunting in a staggering 1 in 3 Indonesian children. Despite the numerous health effects, childhood stunting continues to receive little to no media attention. The damage from stunting during the “1,000 day window of opportunity”—pregnancy through the first two years of life—is irreversible and cannot be offset by interventions later in childhood. But when women, especially frontline village health volunteers, also known as kader, are informed, empowered and supported the benefits extend to the next generation of children and society as a whole. With 300,000 village health posts serving some five million newborns every year, the onus is on NGOs and the government to provide the tools, knowledge and confidence to ensure that “ujung tombak” are equipped to give Indonesia’s children the best possible start to life.

About the Speaker

Zack Petersen is the lead strategist for the 1000 Days Fund, an advocacy organization launched in 2018 as a bold approach to invent, test and apply innovative and cost-effective solutions to help end stunting in Indonesia. Since joining the 1000 Days Fund, Mr Petersen has been actively involved in the distribution and installation of 12,000 height charts at the village level throughout Indonesia. Prior to joining the 1000 Days Fund, Mr Petersen worked for the World Bank Group, Mars International and the Research Triangle Institute. Mr Petersen received an M.A. from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and proudly worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in Mauritania.

Registration

For registration, please click here. Registration closes on 11 March 2020.