AUTOCONTRASTE |
Colansa (Latin American and Caribbean Nutrition and Health Community of Practice) is a group of professionals, of civil society organizations and universities that work in a collaborative environment to contribute to the development of healthy, sustainable, equitable and inclusive food systems and promoting improvements in the nutrition and health of the populations from Latin America and the Caribbean.
Our work takes place trough a community of practices, that is, a space for exchange between researchers and other social actors, for the advancement and creation of public policies that generate an improvement in food systems, based on collaborative learning and creation of scientific knowledge.
The community aims to play a leading role in the region, creating a space for discussion and debate in a democratic environment for the exchange of ideas and solutions to improve the region’s food systems. Thus, Colansa also assists in the prevention of the increase in non-communicable chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and others, the main causes of death in the world and with high prevalence in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Besides that, we aim to contribute to the innovation and development of bonds between the countries of Latin America and the Caribean, facilitating greater transparency of the tools and knowledge produced in the region to solve problems with multidisciplinary approaches.
We want Colansa to be a reference in building practices and knowledge common to all people, individual and companies, who are interested in actively contributing to the improvement of the region’s food systems.
No member of Colansa has any bonds with the ultra-processed beverages and food industry, nor with the tobacco and alcohol industries. Therefore, there is no conflict of interest. This allows our actions to be free, transparent and firmly focused on public health.
Acting fronts
Colansa acts in the following fronts:
- Support in the promotion of healthy, sustainable and inclusive food systems and eating habits, so that all members of our society may be included – producers and consumers, generating a equitable distribution of profits;
- Reorientation of public policies to promote healthier and sustainable food systems in the region;
- Realization of researches and analysis to assist in the development of efficient strategies to improve the food systems and the population’s eating habits;
- Encouraging proactive interactions between researchers and organizations working in the field of advocacy to increase capacities and thus multiplying the opportunities for effective action to improve food systems in the region;
- Interaction with the public and private sectors, such as farmers and small producers, universities, civil society and multilateral and international organizations to promote political impacts related to food systems and eating habits that are far-reaching in the Latin American population.
Who can join?
Colansa is open to the participation of civil society organizations and universities, as well as individuals who share the same interests and objectives, who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences in a collaborative and practical interaction environment and who do not represent conflict of interest.
If you are interested in joining Colansa, either as an individual or as a member of an organization, please contact us.
Be a part of Colansa! (in Spanish)