Depok, August 29, 2025 – What is the relationship between local food, community nutrition, and the role of nurses? That question was the starting point for a public lecture at the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Indonesia (FoN UI), titled "The Role of Nurses in Strengthening Food Security, Community Nutrition, and Reducing Stunting Rates," held at the Ojo Radiat Auditorium, FoN UI, on Friday (29/8).

This lecture featured Ahmad Arif, S.Ars., M.Si., a journalist and researcher at Kompas and co-founder of nusantarafoodbiodiversity.org. With extensive experience covering food, nutrition, and health issues, Ahmad invited students and lecturers to see the problem of stunting not just as a number, but as a real story within the community.

In his presentation, Ahmad Arif shared stories about phenomena in various regions, such as South Papua or East Nusa Tenggara, where communities are rich in local food resources yet experience malnutrition and stunting. The reason is simple: consumption patterns are shifting to instant foods, rice, or wheat, while nutritious local foods are being abandoned.

"Many children grow up on 'empty rice' (the habit of eating rice without side dishes or vegetables) and instant noodles. Yet, their ancestors had a variety of nutrient-rich food sources. This is where nurses can be present, not just as healthcare workers in clinics, but also as community educators," he said.

Ahmad Arif emphasized the importance of reviving the local food culture. From sago in Papua, corn in NTT, to tubers in Java, all have the potential to keep Indonesian children healthy and free from stunting.

This public lecture opened up a new perspective: nurses are not only providers of medical services, but also agents of social change. Nurses can be a bridge between health science and the daily lives of the community.

"Nurses have a direct closeness with the community. They can help families understand that maintaining a child's nutrition isn't about expensive food, but about utilizing what's available around them," said Ahmad.

The Dean of FoN UI, Prof. Dr. Rr. Tutik Sri Hariyati, S.Kp., MARS., affirmed that this public lecture is part of FoN UI's effort to broaden the insights of students and lecturers on public health. "Food security and stunting are not just a government issue, but an issue for all of us. FoN UI wants to equip nurses to have a broader perspective, so they can provide relevant solutions for the community," she said.

Stunting often sounds like a technical term in health reports, but it is actually the real face of Indonesian children who are not growing optimally. With this lecture, FoN UI seeks to make the issue more relatable and easier to understand, while also emphasizing the important role of nurses in strengthening family food security.