https://yadamfoundation.org/, https://www.linkedin.com/company/yadamfoundation/posts/?feedView=all, http://t.me/yadamfou

Yadam Foundation, South Africa Street, Addis Ababa (2026)

24/07/2026

H.E. Demeke Mekonnen was honored as a nutrition champion during the 20th anniversary celebration of the Food and Nutrition Society of Ethiopia (FoNSE), held alongside its Annual Conference on June 19–20, 2026, at the Inter Luxury Hotel in Addis Ababa.
The event, themed “Strengthening System Capacities to Advance High-Impact Food and Nutrition Outcomes in Ethiopia,” brought together senior policymakers, UN representatives, and scientific experts to assess progress made over two decades in advancing food sovereignty and public health in Ethiopia.
A central moment of the anniversary was a special recognition ceremony honoring outstanding in-country nutrition advocates. H.E. Demeke Mekonnen—Founder and Board Chairman of the YADAM Foundation—received the honor for his long-standing, visionary leadership in advancing Ethiopia’s nutrition agenda.
FoNSE leadership also cited him as the “founding father” of the historic Seqota Declaration, a multi-sector commitment originally launched during his federal government tenure with the goal of eradicating child undernutrition and stunting.
Conference participants praised his political resolve, and strengthened monitoring systems that helped elevate nutrition into a national development priority. The award further recognized his continued dedication to public health after leaving government, now carried forward through the work of the YADAM Foundation.
Guided by a focus on the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, YADAM operates as a non-profit organization working to prevent childhood stunting. Under H.E. Demeke’s leadership, the foundation strengthens collaboration between community-based civil actors and policy-level decision makers through evidence-driven advocacy.
In accepting the recognition, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen stressed that nutrition is the cornerstone of Africa’s human capital and economic growth. He reaffirmed that YADAM will expand partnerships with international stakeholders, civil society, and government institutions to help build a generation free from the impacts of malnutrition.

10/07/2026

We are proud to announce the successful validation of the Temari Care model, an integrated school health and nutrition program designed to bridge the gap between education and public health.

The program brings essential health services directly to schools, tackling barriers to access and ensuring that children are healthy, well-nourished, and ready to learn. By screening for health issues, providing critical nutrition education, and linking schools with local health facilities, Temari Care is building a foundation for long-term human capital development.

The recent multi-stakeholder workshop was a significant milestone, confirming that our roadmap is fully aligned with the strategic priorities of the Ministries of Education and Health, alongside key development partners.

The consensus is clear: for education outcomes to improve, we must invest in the health of our students. This requires moving beyond silos. The discussions emphasized the critical need for curriculum integration, strengthening health system referrals, and focusing on often neglected age groups, such as middle childhood and adolescence.

Having all key stakeholders at the table—from policymakers to school representatives—ensures that our efforts are coordinated, sustainable, and have a lasting impact.

We are excited to move forward with this shared vision to build a healthier, more educated generation.

28/06/2026

Temari Care: A Joint School Health & Nutrition Initiative – Linking Education & Nutrition
We are pleased to invite our distinguished stakeholders to the Temari Care Stakeholder Sensitization Workshop, co-hosted by YADAM Foundation and I-Tena Digital Medicine PLC.
📅 Date: June 30, 2026
⏰ Time: 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Venue: Interluxury Hotel, Addis Ababa
This high-level convening will bring together senior officials from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women & Social Affairs, development partners, diplomatic missions, NGOs, and academic institutions to advance integrated school health and nutrition in Ethiopia.
The workshop will feature a presentation of the Temari Care pilot model and roadmap, a panel discussion on scaling and financing, and an open plenary for stakeholder reflections and recommendations.
Together, we will mobilize strategic partnerships and resources to scale this evidence-based model across Ethiopian public schools.
We look forward to your participation and collaboration.

23/06/2026

We're thrilled to launch the inaugural N-INSIGHT Dialogue Series: "Nutrition as the Foundation of Human Capital."

This flagship platform is dedicated to moving the conversation beyond silos—tackling the systemic link between nutrition and human capital. We'll be joined by policymakers, development experts, researchers, and advocates to explore three critical dimensions:

Redefining the foundation of human capital (starting with the first 1,000 days)

The political economy of measurement

Moving from measurement to accountability

🗓️ Date: Tuesday, 23 June 2026
📍 Venue: Sheraton Addis Hotel

If you're passionate about shaping Ethiopia's—and Africa's—development future, this is where evidence meets policy. Let's build a nourished, resilient generation together.

04/06/2026

Historic Reset in African Public Health: Reshaping the Global Architecture

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention () has officially launched the technical framework for the newly established African High-Level Ministerial Committee (AHLMC) on the Reform of the Global Health Architecture .
We are proud to share that YADAM Foundation Board Chairman, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, is among the distinguished leaders contributing to this unified continental effort to secure Africa's health sovereignty.

📊 The Macroeconomic Challenge

The establishment of the AHLMC arrives at a critical turning point for international development:
The Reality: In 2025 alone, Official Development Assistance (ODA) to global health dropped by an estimated USD 31.1 billion .
The Risk: Africa CDC estimates that 2 to 4 million lives are at stake across the continent if external funding cuts continue to fragment domestic health delivery systems .
The Solution: Africa is moving away from parallel, donor-driven systems toward "Responsible Sovereignty" : a model where countries lead, regions coordinate, and the global level supports .

💡 Aligning YADAM’s Vision with Continental Strategy

The strategic pillars of this historic African Union reset directly mirror the core governance models championed by the YADAM Foundation:
System-Wide Integration (SWAp): Transitioning away from vertical, disease-specific funding channels toward integrated systems that embed primary healthcare, nutrition security, and climate resilience into a single, cohesive framework.

Moving Theory to Field Impact: Bridging high-level policy with local data and regional academic research to ensure that grassroots communities remain the ultimate beneficiaries.

The Road Ahead

Operating through its Secretariat hosted by Africa CDC, the AHLMC is fast-tracking a Consolidated African Position Paper and a comprehensive Reform Roadmap (2026–2030) ahead of the next AU Assembly .
The era of fragmented, parallel health structures is coming to a close. Together, we are shifting Africa's role from a recipient of external aid to a primary co-architect of global health equity .

________________________________________________________________
✨ Join the Movement! ✨
Follow YADAM Foundation for more updates and impact stories:
🔹 Facebook: https://lnkd.in/gtzWQVgc
🔹 LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/dCCft7FC
🔹 Telegram: t.me/yadamfoundation

25/05/2026

From Vision to Action: The Tekeze Blue Hub Enters Implementation Phase 🌊🏛️
A historic milestone unfolded at the Sheraton Addis. The Tekeze Blue Hub Initiative (TBHI) officially transitioned into an active operational platform through the formal signing of its governing bylaws and the launch of its Program Office.
Convened by the YADAM Foundation and UNICEF Ethiopia, TBHI establishes a groundbreaking blueprint. It brings together regional governments, international development partners, and eight leading universities under a strict model of co-design, co-financing, and co-implementation to target malnutrition, poverty, and ecosystem degradation across the Tekeze Basin.

📈 Trending Analysis: Why This Matters for Global Development
This initiative directly aligns with key global development shifts gaining massive traction on LinkedIn today:

* From "Donors" to "Co-Architects": The global development sector is moving away from top-down funding. TBHI shifts international agencies and local groups into shared legal accountability and co-financing rules.
* The Rise of the Freshwater Blue Economy: Utilizing basin resources sustainably is a premier defense against climate shock. TBHI translates water resources into climate-smart livelihoods.
* Moving Academic Theory to Field Impact: Global education is being re-evaluated for practical value. Eight regional universities are committing local research and field data to drive evidence-based nutrition policies.
* Distributed Matrix Governance: Complex regional crises break traditional silos. A rotating secretariat among member universities builds long-term institutional ownership.

Voices of Leadership
🗣️ H.E. Demeke Mekonnen (Founder & Chairman, YADAM Foundation):

"Today is the beginning of accountable, collective action. The Tekeze Blue Hub represents a new paradigm, where universities move from theory to practice, and where development partners invest not as donors but as co-architects."

🗣️ Dr. Aboubake Kampo (Representative, UNICEF Ethiopia):

"The Tekeze Blue Hub is a strategic investment in resilience. By embedding academic rigor within a multi-sectoral governance structure, this consortium will generate evidence-based, scalable solutions."

A First-of-its-Kind Coalition 🏛️
The governing bylaws legally bind a powerful network committed to continuous field implementation:

* Conveners: YADAM Foundation & UNICEF Ethiopia
* Strategic Alliance: Light Ethiopia
* Secretariat: Bahir Dar University
* Consortium Universities: University of Gondar, Wollo University, Woldia University, Mekelle University, Debark University, Raya University, and Axum University.

What's Next? The newly minted Project Office now serves as the operational engine, anchoring multi-stakeholder dialogues, fielding pilot interventions, and shaping climate-resilient research agendas directly across the basin. 🚀

________________________________________________________________
✨ Join the Movement! ✨
Follow YADAM Foundation for more updates and impact stories:
🔹 Facebook: https://lnkd.in/gtzWQVgc
🔹 LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/dCCft7FC
🔹 Telegram: t.me/yadamfoundation

23/05/2026

🚨 Happening Now: The Blue Hub Initiative Workshop 🌊

The YADAM Foundation and UNICEF, in collaboration with leading Ethiopian universities and Light Ethiopia, are currently hosting The Blue Hub Initiative Workshop at the Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa.

This high-level gathering brings together researchers, policymakers, and technical experts to map out sustainable solutions for agriculture, aquaculture, and climate-resilient livelihoods across the country.

A Powerful Academic Coalition 🏛️
To ensure localized, data-driven impact, this initiative relies on a strategic partnership with:

•University of Gondar
•Mekelle University
•Wollo University
•Woldia University
•Aksum University
•Debark University
•Raya University

________________________________________________________________
✨ Join the Movement! ✨
Follow YADAM Foundation for more updates and impact stories:
🔹 Facebook: https://lnkd.in/gtzWQVgc
🔹 LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/dCCft7FC
🔹 Telegram: t.me/yadamfoundation

08/05/2026

🚀 Call for Papers: Bridging the Gap from Evidence to Policy

Are you a researcher, Postdoc, or PhD student working on issues related to nutrition, health, education, or agriculture in Ethiopia or other Sub-Saharan Africa country? 🌍

The Yadam Foundation is thrilled to invite you to leverage our N-Insight platform—a dedicated space designed to translate rigorous evidence into actionable policy and real-world impact.

Why Share Your Findings with N-Insight?
We believe that data shouldn’t just sit in journals; it should drive human development, reduce poverty, improve child wellbeing, achieve education equity, and improve nutrition and food security. By presenting with us, you can disseminate your results for public use, inform critical policy advocacy and change, reach your policy audience and practitioners, and positively impact lives across the region.

How to Participate
We offer flexible presentation formats to ensure your voice is heard, regardless of where you are:
In Ethiopia: Facilitated in-person presentations.
Outside Ethiopia: Online virtual presentations.

📝 Submission Details

If you have findings that matter for SSA’s development, we want to hear from you.

How to Apply: Submit an extended abstract to [email protected] or [email protected]

Deadline: June 15, 2026
Let’s work together to turn research into results.

________________________________________________________________

✨ Join the Movement! ✨
Follow YADAM Foundation for more updates and impact stories:
🔹 Facebook: https://lnkd.in/gtzWQVgc
🔹 LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/dCCft7FC
🔹 Telegram: t.me/yadamfoundation

04/05/2026

Strengthening Ethiopia’s Food Systems: YADAM Foundation Meets with the Embassy of Sweden 🇪🇹🤝🇸🇪

Building resilient food systems requires global partnership and a shared vision for sustainability. We recently had the honor of meeting with the Embassy of Sweden in Addis Ababa to explore strategic collaborations on food security and sustainable development.

During the high-level discussion, the YADAM Foundation showcased our multi-sectoral approach to nutrition and community resilience, including:

✅ Food Security & School Feeding: Our ongoing efforts to ensure vulnerable communities and students have access to consistent, nutritious meals.

✅ The Blue Hub Initiative: Our flagship project focused on sustainable agriculture, fish farming, and creating climate-resilient livelihoods for rural populations.

✅ Livelihood Support: Empowering households to transition from aid-dependency to self-sustaining economic models.

H.E. Ambassador Magnus Lennartsson, the Swedish Ambassador, expressed a strong interest in our mission, noting Sweden’s commitment to supporting initiatives that improve nutrition and strengthen the structural integrity of food systems in Ethiopia.

The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to align our efforts. By combining local expertise with international best practices, we are working toward building a more resilient, food-secure, and prosperous future for all Ethiopians.We look forward to a fruitful partnership with the Swedish government to drive lasting change at the grassroots level.

15/04/2026

Strategic Partnership for a Nourished Ethiopia: YADAM Foundation x Sanku Food Fortification 🤝🇪🇹

We are thrilled to announce a transformative step in our mission to end stunting. On April 14, 2026, a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the YADAM Foundation and SANKU Food Fortification Ethiopia PLC.
The signing ceremony, held at the YADAM Foundation headquarters in Addis Ababa, was led by:
🏛️ H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, Board Chairperson of YADAM Foundation
🌍 Mr. Mark Ocitti, President of Sanku

Why This Partnership Matters
Micronutrient deficiencies—often called "hidden hunger"—affect millions. By combining YADAM’s high-level advocacy with Sanku’s world-leading fortification technology, we are building a sustainable shield for Ethiopia’s public health.
Key Pillars of Collaboration:
Large-Scale Food Fortification (LSFF): Driving joint advocacy to make fortified staples accessible to every household.
Capacity & Innovation: Strengthening local milling systems and fostering national initiatives for premix manufacturing.
Public Awareness: Launching targeted campaigns to educate communities on the life-changing benefits of fortified foods.
Regional Leadership: Positioning Ethiopia as a continental hub for nutrition innovation and scalable health solutions.
A Shared Vision
This MoU is more than an agreement; it is a commitment to ensuring that the first 1,000 days of every child's life are powered by the essential vitamins and minerals they need to thrive.
Together, we are transforming food systems to build a more productive, prosperous, and nourished future for all. 🌟

________________________________________________________________
✨ Join the Movement! ✨
Follow YADAM Foundation for more updates and impact stories:
🔹 Facebook: https://lnkd.in/gtzWQVgc
🔹 LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/dCCft7FC
🔹 Telegram: t.me/yadamfoundation

Yadam Foundation

24/07/2026

10/07/2026

28/06/2026

23/06/2026

04/06/2026

25/05/2026

23/05/2026

08/05/2026

04/05/2026

15/04/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request