The continued existence and development of nutrition training programmes and centres in developing countries requires the long-term commitment of both governments and international agencies. The ability to train and retain its own professionals is vital to the development of a country, and the support of training programmes and research of training centres must therefore command the attention of international and other funding agencies. Long-term guarantees are needed to provide security of tenure. Considerable assistance has already been provided in some of the areas listed above. Assistance in these areas, and in those that have received scant attention in the past, should perhaps be re-examined to establish priorities, to assess the nature and extent of support, and to discern the contribution such support makes towards helping developing countries meet their own needs.
Fellowships are crucial to the continued existence of all training programmes.
Most developing countries face serious economic difficulties and are unable to provide the level of support to trainees and centres necessary for continued development. In addition, many potential candidates for training programmes are mature individuals in positions of seniority within their own countries. Fellowships should be such that they are able to attract these individuals who, upon completion of the training programmes, would be in positions that permit them to influence national food and nutrition policies and activities. In the face of rising costs, many developing countries are unable by themselves to maintain and support the development of their training and research centres. Given the importance of the continued existence of such centres to nutritionists the world over, and to the continued development of nations, international and other funding agencies should seriously consider adequate, long-term commitments.