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Networking Using Limited Resources The case of the African Graduate Student Nutrition Network Joseph Mensah-Homiah http://www.unu.edu/capacitybuilding/foodnutrition/agsnet/Index_en.htm http://www.africanutrition.org Who we are • Capacity of the network – – – 200+ members Representing 30 African countries Broad spectrum of nutrition training • Purpose of the Network & Uniqueness – Early career, well trained African nutrition scientists, who are focusing on networking, sharing opportunities and building social capital for future collaborative research and programming. • We are attempting to effectively communicate with the next generation of the African nutrition leaders worldwide at virtually no cost Our Activities • Creating a database – – http://www.unu.edu/capacitybuilding/foodnutrition/agsnet/Index_en.htm Making website more interactive • Access to literature (bridging the digital divide) – Health InterNetwork Access to Research Initiative (HINARI) – E-link: through Nestle Foundation – AGORA through Cornell University • Dissemination of information – Funding/Fellowship opportunities – Training programs in nutrition – Circulating relevant nutrition information • Scientific Session – Biennial Conference Challenges and Opportunities • Technical know-how in managing internet resources – easy to grasp • Continuity – – – – Currently voluntary High student turn-over Time Control of server space • Resource availability for other initiatives Our Charge to the International Nutrition Community • There is nutrition capacity in Africa! • We are young, well-trained, and committed African nutritionists …but competitive opportunities for early career professionals like us are limited • Utilize our capacity