About:

COVID 19, climate change and the current economic crisis have made it clear that access to food, water, health education are Global Issues. How can we as Nutrition Professionals build a network that is inclusive and addresses communities who have historically been marginalized by the Western dominated food and health industries? In the United States for example, less than 2% of Registered Dietitians come from the African American community. Can we intersect and learn from Indigenous Peoples who have lived in harmony with Nature and Earth for thousands of years? The focus of this Committee is to open a discussion how to expand multinational participation in Dietetics and to examine barriers to international inclusion in the profession.

Goals:

1. Recognize the deficit of international participation in the Profession

2. Create a network of activists who want to address this issue and explore food/health disparity throughout the lifecycle

3. Develop some concrete strategies to build a movement addressing barriers to internationalizing the Field of Nutrition and Dietetics including reciprocity of accreditation

Events:

In October, 2022 World Critical Dietetics convened an open virtual forum HOW CAN WE DEVELOP AN INTERNATIONAL NUTRITION MOVEMENT WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS? WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS? The forum was attended by over 300 people, including representatives from countries and communities currently limited in representation in our Field. The forum included representatives from Trinidad and Tabego, Australia’s Mauri Community, Canada, Jamaica, Hawaii, African America, Caribbean, Navajo Nation, South Africa, Mexico and Pakistan. As a result of the forum, an International Committee of World Critical Dietetics has been formed and meets monthly.

Recently, a survey was sent out to panel speakers of the October forum asking them for a recap of their talks and the priority issues they would like to see addressed. We have been invited by the Journal of Critical Dietetics to submit an article based on these surveys.

In addition, we have submitted a proposal for a panel presentation at FNCE (Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics). This will take place in Denver Colorado October 7-10, 2023.

Based on the results of the survey and member interests, we plan to develop a series of Forums to create work groups addressing areas of interest.

Want to get involved?

All current members volunteer their time with the committee. New members are welcome to join and volunteer for any available position or projects at hand. If you are interested in joining the WCD International Committee, please contact Dr. Jill White at [email protected].