1. Juanita James
National Coordinator, Zero Hunger Challenge ,
Antigua and Barbuda

2. Commitment/Action
 Commitment as evidenced by signing of various
international and regional declarations/agreements
 Long process (spanning about 2 decades) of
developing National Food and Nutrition Security
Policy and Plan of Action
 Changing needs and priorities over time requiring
change in response

3. Leadership/Responsibilities
 Who leads? - Ministry of Agriculture/Ministry of
Health/Ministry of Agriculture
 Sharing responsibilities/Sectors taking responsibility
for specific tasks/Support from all sectors

4. Collaboration/Partnerships/Participation
 Stakeholder Ministries – Health, Agriculture,
Education - Social Transformation, Trade,
Finance/Planning
 NGOs/CSOs – some engagement
 Private Sector – limited involvement
 Support (technical and financial) - CFNI/PAHO; FAO
 Participation in development of the CARICOM
Regional FNSP and Plan of Action - Opportunity take
action at national level to finalize policy/action plan

5. Coordination
 Inter-sectoral Coordinating Mechanism –
Coordinating Committee for development of FNSP
and Action Plan
 Cabinet approval sought for appointment of an inter-
sectoral coordinating council – pending approval
based on development of Action Plan
 National Social Protection Commission – to improve
social protection system and strengthen social safety
net (re: Country Poverty Assessment)

6. Coordination
 Zero Hunger Challenge, ZHC, Initiative Plan of Action
 Technical Management Advisory Committee, TMAC,
established to manage the implementation of ZHC Plan of
Action
 Comprised of Chief Technical Officers of Ministries of
 Agriculture (Chair)
 Education (Vice-Chair)
 Health
 Social transformation
 Finance
 ZHC National Coordinator
 FAO, IICA and other regional/international partners
 (Proposed: Representative of CSOs)

7. Coordination
Examples of activities implemented through inter
sectoral coordinating mechanism
 Development of National Policy on FNS and draft
Plan of Action
 Development of Food Based Dietary Guidelines
for Antigua and Barbuda
 Implementation of ZHC Plan of Action

8. Coordination
 TMAC reports to ZHC Inter-Ministerial Cabinet Sub-
Committee
1. Minister of Agriculture
2. Minister of Health/Social Transformation
3. Minister of Education
4. Minister of Finance

9. Financing
 Consolidated Funds - business plan, programme
budget/annual work plan
 External funding – projects e.g. NFNSP/Action Plan,
FBDGs and ZHC
 Other

10. Challenges
 Developing effective inter-sectoral collaboration
 Lack of power of coordinating committees
 Lack of support
 Data management/sharing
 Sustainable Commitment at various levels
 Changes in administration/change in focus
 Funding
 Appointment of appropriate members to
Coordinating Committees

11. Lessons learned
 Sensitization of stakeholders critical including
sensitization of policy makers
 Training necessary to build capacity and promote
collaboration/cooperation
 Commitment, Leadership and Partnerships essential
 More effort needed to improve participation e.g.
involve NGOs/CSOs and Private Sector more

12. Lessons Learned
 Action plan crucial - strengthens implementation;
allows for monitoring and evaluation; improves
accountability
 Coordination for effective/efficient management
 Financing
 Process takes time – members of coordinating
committees have many duties; time for sensitization
and to build relationships
 Shared vision, commitment, support