(introduction...)

Isatou Jallow Semega-Janneh

Introductory paragraphs by Richard Jolly, SCN Chairman

The Abraham Horwitz Lecture was first introduced last year in honour of Dr Abraham Horwitz, who was Assistant Director of the National Health Service in Chile from 1953-59, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) from 1959-1975, and Chairman of the SCN from 1986-1995. Dr Horwitz is currently Director Emeritus of PAHO.

The Lecture was established in recognition of Dr Horwitz’ outstanding contribution to nutrition and his exemplary leadership as our Chairman. The intention of the Lecture is to promote Dr Horwitz’ heartfelt, highly valued and extremely generous tradition of mentoring young talent from developing countries. Each year a guest lecturer, who possesses the knowledge and commitment to prepare a bold and imaginative paper, is invited to make a presentation at the SCN Session. Our lecturer today is Isatou Jallow Semega-Janneh. We reviewed eight possible candidates for this Lecture in order to find someone who has shown true leadership at an early stage of their career. Isatou Jallow Semega-Janneh is currently the head of the Nutrition Unit of the Department of State for Health, Social Welfare and Women’s Affairs in Banjul, The Gambia. She also chairs the Board of Directors for The Gambia Food and Nutrition Association and is national breastfeeding coordinator in The Gambia. She has an MSc (1986) in Nutrition from the University of Oslo in Norway. But the main reason we selected her was that she was by all accounts an up-and-coming dynamic leader with much involvement in community work. We are very pleased therefore that Isatou Jallow Semega-Janneh, you have been able to accept our invitation.