The One Goal Campaign: A Multi-sector Initiative for Better Child Nutrition in Asia

Abstract

Objectives: Tackling malnutrition requires a multi-sector approach engaging stakeholders who can build nutrition friendly environments and implement nutrition sensitive programmes, to maximize positive impact on top of nutrition-specific interventions. ‘One Goal', launched on November 26th 2013 integrates this approach and leverages the power of football for better nutrition by igniting and growing a social movement in support of child nutrition. The study's objective was to set up a campaign endorsing the engagement of stakeholders who­- powered by football­- aim to improve nutrition in Asia as reflected in the campaign's objectives and structure. Methods: ‘One Goal' was introduced by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) covering 47 countries with a population of 4.6 billion people and World Vision International (WVI) to potential lead partners: Royal DSM, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and the Asian Football Development Project (AFDP). Workshops were organised by AFC/WVI and attended by the partners who shared constructive feedback resulting in the multi-sector objectives requiring nutrition friendly policies from football associations, National Governments, parents, corporates etc. The organizational structure of the campaign appointed the lead partners as the Board, the main decision making body of the campaign. Results: A consortium was formed including WVI, the AFC, Royal DSM, GAIN and the AFDP, by endorsing stakeholder engagement through workshops, the objectives of the campaign and its organizational structure. Conclusions: The double burden of malnutrition in Asia must be tackled with creativity. This new multi-sector partnership leverages the power and influence of football to create an enabling environment for better nutrition in Asia.