Global Ideas Institute  

Archive 2012-13

About | Challenge | Symposium | Participants | Organizing Comittee | Sponsors | Photos

2012-13 Challenge  

The 2012-2013 Global Ideas Institute challenge will focus on food insecurity and malnutrition in the Global South. Micronutrient deficiencies, a form of malnutrition, are a significant cause of illness and premature death throughout the world. This is particularly true in the developing world, where nearly 20% of the population suffers from iodine deficiency, about 25% of children have sub-clinical vitamin A deficiency, and 40-60% suffer from anemia. Micronutrient deficiencies can lead to impaired growth and cognitive development, birth defects, cretinism, and blindness, as well as decreased school and work performance and poor general health. Therefore, addressing micronutrient deficiencies is of critical importance. Effectively doing so will also help bring us closer to achieving five of the eight Millennium Development Goals for 2015 (eradicate extreme hunger and poverty, achieve universal primary education, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, and combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases).

The mission of Sprinkles Global Health Initiatives (SGHI) is to help reduce and eliminate malnutrition, including micronutrient malnutrition, through focused research and advocacy. In 1997, SGHI developed Sprinkles to prevent and treat micronutrient deficiencies among young children and other vulnerable groups at risk. Sprinkles are sachets (similar to small packets of sugar) containing a blend of micronutrients in powder form that can easily be sprinkled onto foods prepared in the home. Any homemade food can be instantly fortified by adding Sprinkles. Coating of the iron prevents changes to the taste, colour or texture of the food to which Sprinkles are added.

This year’s challenge is to create a strategy to scale up the supply of Sprinkles, improve the distribution of the product, and ensure that targeted end-users (people in developing countries who have limited access to a diverse supply of foods and are at risk of micronutrient deficiencies) are aware of it and are using it correctly.

Led by mentors from the University of Toronto, high school students will complete readings, attend a speaker series with subject matter experts, participate in workshops, and work with their teammates online and in person to address this year’s challenge. In April 2013, the teams will present their strategy for scaling up the supply, distribution, and usage of Sprinkles. This final symposium will take place at the Munk School and will feature a panel of experts in the health and development field.

Click here to view Global News report on Sprinkles and malnutrition in the Global South.