In Memoriam: Sir David Nabarro
by Saskia Osendarp, Executive Director, Micronutrient Forum
Founding father of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, tireless advocate for healthier food systems and a healthier world.
Another World Food Prize hero has left us. Sir David Nabarro, founder of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, was a tireless advocate for dialogue, collective and synergistic action, and human dignity. His passing is an incredible loss for a world already suffering deeply from food and nutrition crises.
At the start of the World Food System Stocktaking Summit in Ethiopia, it is hard to grasp that we will no longer be guided by his wisdom, inspired by his unmatched ability to distill complexity into powerful calls for action, or moved by his deep passion for impact and genuine interest in every person he met.
I cherish the memories of my encounters with him—his wise advice, encouragement, humor, and support. We last met at the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris this March, where he was strong, fierce, and passionate as ever. “Keep up the good work,” he said, his fist in the air. And we will, Sir David.
It will be impossible to fill the void you leave behind, but your legacy lives on in all those who continue your fight for healthier food systems and a more just, nourished world. Your presence will be deeply missed at the Micronutrient Forum, but your spirit and vision will remain with us always.
Our heartfelt thoughts are with his beloved wife Florence, his family, and the countless colleagues and friends who mourn him around the world.
