12:26 PM |
Media Release
PIAF joins Commonwealth meet on HIV and AIDS in London
06th November, 2009 Rarotonga, Cook Islands-- A meeting between the
Commonwealth Foundation and a network of civil society and People
Living with HIV from the Pacific, Asian, Caribbean and African regions
gets underway in London from the 9th – 10th of November. Representing
the Pacific as the regional lead for the Pan Commonwealth network is
Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation (PIAF),
Maire Bopp.
Apart from exploring the chances of further developing a 12-month
period work plan for the Pan-Commonwealth Network on HIV/AIDS, the
meeting will also discuss important and critical directions for HIV
and AIDS support from the Commonwealth Foundation.
Ms Bopp says the talks will help address concerns by the Network
members that a change of strategy on funding for HIV and AIDS work may
backtrack on gains made thus far by the Commonwealth Foundation. The
Foundation initiated and supported the Pan Commonwealth Network over
the last three years, with the Pacific joining only last year.
"From what I have seen, the Foundation is changing the way they
support civil society work in HIV and AIDS. But the network fears
these changes will have a negative consequence on the work achieved to
date and reduce their future capacity to respond to the epidemic."
She hopes the meeting will also address feedback from network members
who've been unhappy over the lack of consultation on the new strategic
directions planned for HIV/AIDS by the Commonwealth Foundation "with
those working on the field. Therefore, CSO's are calling for
clarifications and potentially, for the decisions to be revoked."
The London meeting must help build transparency and a sense of
partnership, she says, "Because the lives of everyday people depend on
a good outcome."
Commonwealth countries globally are the worst affected by HIV and
AIDS. Of the more than 40 million estimate reported with AIDS
worldwide, well over half are from the Commonwealth, and nine of the
ten most affected nations are Commonwealth members.
The Pacific forms a sizeable group in the Commonwealth, despite Fiji's
suspension in September, and Bopp says she looks forward to productive
discussions.
"A decision that could minimise support to HIV and AIDS in our region
will have a devastating impact. The Pacific is a newcomer to the
Pan-Commonwealth Network on AIDS, but our key message is that civil
society must be involved, and HIV/AIDS must remain a priority,
whatever strategy is in place."--ENDS
Contact:
Esther C. Sibona
Communications Officer
Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Phone: +682 23103 ll Fax: +682 23102
Email: news@pacificaids.org ll Website: www.pacificaids.org
--
"More and more, if you're not in the digital conversation about your
community, you're not in a conversation that matters"
-- Alberto Ibargüen, President, The Knight Foundation.
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pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
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