Shift in HIV/AIDS project funding required
6 December 2007 – for immediate release
FUNDING models and the role of civil society in the response to HIV need to be re-evaluated if we are to overcome the HIV epidemic in Africa.
This is one of the key messages being broadcast at the Civil Society, HIV/AIDS and Africa: capacity, sustainability, partnerships conference being held in Johannesburg, South Africa from December 5 to 7.
The conference brings together representatives from civil society organisations, government and donors from across the globe to debate and share experiences in building capacity in communities in Africa.
The meeting is co-hosted by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and the UK Government’s Department for International Development, and co-organised by UNAIDS and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.
“Good models exist by which to channel money to support community-based responses, and these need to be expanded. We have many examples of successful models and it is imperative that these experiences are shared so that we can accelerate our responses,” said Callisto Madavo, chair of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance's Board of Trustees.
“We have learned that the most successful responses to HIV and other development challenges are built on local leadership, commitment and responsibility. Communities are closest to people affected by HIV and have often made the first response towards addressing HIV.
“Without the active and influential participation of communities there is a real danger that the increased funding now available for HIV could not be well spent and not reach those most in need.”
Mr Madavo said this could only be overcome through changes in policies and approaches that incorporated the experience over the past two years.
The International HIV/AIDS Alliance has been involved in a number of projects across the continent that bear testimony to the success of this approach.
A case in point is the intervention introduced in Senegal in 2003 that has contributed significantly to the country today boasting one of the lowest HIV prevalence rates in sub-Saharan Africa of 0.7%.
This intervention was the Watchdog of the Response to HIV/AIDS in Senegal (Observatoire de la Reponse au VIH/SIDA au Sénégal) which was set up in 2003 by civil society organisations, and
the International HIV/AIDS Alliance's local partner Alliance Nationale Contre le SIDA (ANCS).
Among other achievements, this body was responsible for Senegal re-securing a $6-million Global Fund grant after the latter had threatened to withdraw support due to the country's slow response to the epidemic. This agreement was struck on condition that ANCS be the principle recipient of the civil society component of the grant.
Today, Senegal has a strong and vibrant HIV/Aids prevention and treatment programme involving civil society in all key aspects of planning and managing national action, as well as a positive mutually respectful relations between government and civil society.
“A consensus seems to be emerging on a new paradigm for effective capacity development centred on building effective states and forging engaged societies,” said Mr Madavo. “The challenge is to unleash, nurture, and retain capacity.
“That requires a political environment that encourages participation, excellence, learning, and innovation. The new paradigm for capacity development emphasizes the dual objectives of building effective states and forging engaged societies.”
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Johann Barnard, 082 551 1414, johann@paprikacom.co.za
Sizo Majola, 0860 727 7452, sizo@paprikacom.co.za
Simon Moore, International HIV/AIDS Alliance, 01273 718744, smoore@aidsalliance.org
About the International HIV/AIDS Alliance
The mission of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance (the Alliance) is to support communities to reduce the spread of HIV and to meet the challenges of AIDS.
Established in 1993, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance (the Alliance) is a global partnership of nationally-based organisations working to support community action on AIDS.
These national partners help local community groups and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to take action on AIDS, and are supported by technical expertise, policy work and fundraising carried out across the Alliance. In addition to community and country-based programmes, the Alliance also has extensive regional programmes and works on a range of international activities such as support for South–South cooperation, operations research, training and good practice development, as well policy analysis and advocacy.
The organisations in the International HIV/AIDS Alliance are extremely well placed to begin to address challenges to civil society organisations in making effective use of international funding, with their experience both in providing technical support to community organisations (particularly to marginalised groups), and their knowledge of international AIDS funding mechanisms.
ENDS
