Gairdner Science Week 2025
Organic chemistry

October 21:Food for Thought: Insights from International and Canadian Experts on Nutrition, Policy, and Food Systems

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Inspired by the award-winning research of Dr. André Briend, this half day symposium, in partnership with Université du Québec à Montréal and Université de Montréal, will focus on major challenges in nutrition worldwide, and how those trends are reflected in the experiences of Canadians.

Following the symposium, Dr. Briend will be giving a public lecture in partnership with Coeur des Sciences UQAM at 6:00 pm at the Chaufferie du pavillon Coeur des sciences - 175, avenue du Président-Kennedy.

This event is presented in partnership with the Institute of Philanthropy

“The Institute of Philanthropy was established in September 2023 through a strategic seed grant of HK$6.8 billion (US$870 million) from The Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust. Established as an independent “think-fund-do” tank for China and Asia, the IoP is dedicated to promoting philanthropic thought leadership and enhancing sector capabilities at local, regional and global levels in collaboration with fellow funders. It seeks to provide an Asia-based platform bringing global stakeholders together to promote the betterment of societies everywhere.”

Register here

Schedule

2:00 pmOpening Remarks
 Janet Rossant, President, The Gairdner Foundation
  
2:10 pm Understanding today’s global nutrition landscape
 Three speakers sharing their current research on the intersections of nutrition and human health, including international policy approaches, agricultural and commercial practices, direct interventions, and the impact of nutrition on acute and chronic illnesses
  
2:10-2:35 "International partnerships shaping global nutrition policies"
 Anna Lartey PhD, Professor of Nutrition, University of Ghana; Former Director of Nutrition, Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations; former President of the International Union of Nutritional Science (IUNS)
  
2:35-3:00 "Increasing impact through innovation in global health and nutrition"
 Steve Gilbert, Chief Operating Officer, Nutrition International, Ottawa, ON, Canada
  
3:00-3:25 "Integrated community case management (ICCM) of childhood illnesses: What about nutrition?"
 Thomas Druetz PhD, Associate  Professor, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal
  
3:30 pm Global Challenges in a Canadian Context 
 An in-depth discussion led by Dr. Malek Batal (Université de Montréal) featuring Canadian experts on food and nutrition policy, challenges in urban and Indigenous communities and food security interventions for the Canadian context.
  
 Chair: Malek Batal PhD, Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal; Director, WHO-Collaborating Centre on Nutrition Changes and Development (TRANSNUT);  Canada Research Chair in Nutrition and Health Inequalities (CIENS), Montréal, Canada
  
 Mary L’Abbé PhD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Nutritional Sciences & Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto; Director, WHO Collaborating Centre on Nutrition Policy for Chronic Disease Prevention, Toronto, Canada
  
 Lana Vanderlee PhD, Associate  Professor, Faculté des sciences de l'agriculture et l'alimentation, École de nutrition; Researcher, Centre nutrition, santé et société (NUTRISS), Université Laval, Quebec, Canada
  
 Dominic Schofield, Senior Director,  Agri-Food Systems Practice, TechnoServe, Ottawa, Canada
 
Treena Wasonti:io Delormier PhDAssociate Professor, Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Indigenous Food Sovereignty and Nutrition, Director, Centre for Indigenous Peoples’ Nutrition & Environment (CINE), McGill University, Montréal, Canada
  
4:25 pm Closing Remarks

Location

Amphithéâtre, UQAM Pavillon Sherbrooke, 200 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest Montréal, QC H2X 1X5