Abstract:
Background The symposium Kuwa Tayari (“be prepared” in English): finding pathways to nutrition and food security
resilience in response to climate change in East Africa was held in Eldoret, Kenya, in May, 2016. The goals of this
symposium were to increase awareness, stimulate research ideas and recommendations, catalyse the development of
training opportunities, and provide an evidence base for policy and decision-making in these regions in preparation
for, and response to, our changing world. Here, we describe the structure, aims, and outcome of the symposium.
Methods The 2-day symposium was a partnership initiative between University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of
Public Health in Toronto, Canada, and Moi University, College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health in Eldoret,
Kenya. Target audiences were scientists, students, and educators in public health, environmental studies, agriculture,
agroecology, civil society, non-government organisations, and government stakeholders. Symposium organisers did a
literature review to develop a background paper that helped inform the selection of five planetary health subthemes of
the symposium: (1) agriculture, nutrition, and agro-biodiversity; (2) water security; (3) renewable and sustainable
cooking fuels; (4) nutrition and food security issues affecting vulnerable populations; and (5) human rights and
sustainable development. The symposium format consisted of keynote and oral abstract presentations, plenary
discussions, small group work, poster viewing sessions, and networking opportunities. A final report was produced
to highlight key outcomes and recommendations.
Findings There were 121 attendees at the symposium from 26 institutions in Kenya, Uganda, Canada, USA, and
elsewhere; most were from academic and community organisations. Participants’ reasons for attending were met:
personal growth and development, networking, research, course and training ideas, and potential collaborations. There
was consensus on the need to invest in innovative, context-specific, climate-smart agricultural practices that support
sustainable livelihoods and development, and improve food security at the household level throughout east Africa.
Published Online
April 7, 2017
Division of Epidemiology
(P Braitstein PhD, D Cole MD),
Division of Nutrition
(T Lama MPH, B Gladanac MPH),
Division of Social and
Behavioral Sciences
(A Cortinois PhD), Dalla Lana
School of Public Health,
University of Toronto, Toronto
ON, Canada; Moi University
School of Public Health,
Eldoret, Kenya (S Keino PhD,
F Yego PhD, J Tabu PhD,
C Tarus MPH); St Francis Xavier,
Halifax, NS, Canada (A Fox PhD)
Correspondence to:
Paula Braitstein, Division of
Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School
of Public Health, 155 College St,
Toronto ON M5T 3M7, Canada
paula.braitstein@utoronto.ca
For the complete report see
http://www.kuwatayari.com
Interpretation Multisectoral, transdisciplinary, community-based, and population health research and interventions
are needed to address the complex and interconnected issues of climate change, nutrition, and food security. Within
east Africa, participatory initiatives that engage vulnerable populations (such as women, pastoral populations, and the
urban poor), and those that integrate indigenous food system practices are crucial. Training priorities should be in the
areas of integration of climate change topics into existing public health curriculums, and novel interdisciplinary
courses on planetary health.