Document

Abstract

Please allow me to congratulate you on your election to the high office of the President of the General Assembly. Allow me also to thank the distinguished outgoing President, His Excellency Samuel Insanally, for his wise leadership during the 48th session of the General Assembly. Mr. President, Many had hoped that the fail of the Berlin Wall vvould put an end to the divisions of the vvorld and usher in a nevv era of peace and harmony among nations. This has not happened. Today, humanity faces a nevv division or fragmentation far more dramatic in essence: The vvorld is torn betvveen hope and despair. This is the nevv division vve are facing. On the one hand, hope: The spirit of democracy is kcpt alive. The global commitment to the universal principles of respect for human rights, rule of lavv and fundamental freedoms has been maintained.

A Case Study of Nutrition Educators' Perspectives on the Delivery of Virtual Community Nutrition Programming

“…Extension offers free and low-cost non-formal educational programming directly to communities throughout the state in the areas of food, youth, and agriculture (Author Unknown, 2019a). The organizational culture of extension embraces the ability to "provide high-tech, hightouch expertise to serve the unique needs of diverse clientele" (Author Unknown, 2021b). State level specialists and county educators carefully develop programs using evidence-based information to meet the needs of different populations.…”

“…Knowledge from the universities is extended to communities through local Southeastern State Extension centers. County extension centers are in all 100 counties plus a tribal community (Author Unknown, 2021c). Currently, programming throughout the state focuses on food and agriculture, health and nutrition, and 4-H youth development (Author Unknown, 2019a).…”

“…One program area within extension is Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS). In Southeastern State Extension, the majority of FCS Agents primarily focus on addressing the high rates of food insecurity and diet related chronic diseases in communities (Author Unknown, 2018). FCS Agents develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive nutrition programs tailored to meet their county's needs.…”

“…These programs aim to provide consumers with knowledge, skills, and access to purchase and prepare healthy foods (Author Unknown, 2019c). It is important to note that the area of FCS can cover a wide range of topics outside of nutrition education and the title of this area differs depending on the state extension program.…”

“…In addition, community needs related to nutrition were becoming more apparent due to rising food insecurity rates (Feeding America, 2021) and notable racial and ethnic health disparities (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021b;Feeding America, 2021). In response, nutrition educators adapted existing evidence-based programs to online platforms and created additional information to meet the changing needs within their communities (Author Unknown, 2020b). In Southeastern State Extension, a total of four state level evidence-based adult nutrition programs were available for educators to choose from.…”