I say "Yes to GIPA Desks" at UNAIDS Country Offices
UNAIDS is a model of good governance within the UN 'Family' (WHO, UNAIDS, ILO, UNDP, etc.) in encouraging civil society involvement and welcoming the NGO Delegation to the Board (PCB). UNAIDS has also been in the lead in promoting GIPA, the Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS, and has encouraged governments and the private sector to practice this important policy. ( http://www.unaids.org/en/PolicyAndPractice/GIPA/default.asp )
However, promoting and practicing seems to be two different things. UNAIDS does not have any country level GIPA coordinators or PLHIV engaged to promote and oversee the practice of this policy. Although UNAIDS Head Quarter in Geneva has a small number of PLHIV working on different issues, 'in-country' there is no one from the community living with HIV engaged by UNAIDS to turn the words of Geneva into realities on the ground.
Every UNAIDS Country Office must establish a 'GIPA Desk', with resources to carry out the job, for a PLHIV trained to facilitate, coordinate, advance and mainstream GIPA across the public and private sectors. Every UNAIDS Country Office should work with the community to develop the terms of reference for this focal point position, and as GIPA Policy states, allow greater involvement of the PLHIV Community in designing the job description, work-plan, selection or election of the PLHIV, and oversight of the performance of the 'GIPA Desk'. The person should be accountable to both UNAIDS and the Community of PLHIV, and transparent for all.
This demand for GIPA Desks should be on the agenda at the upcoming 26th PCB meeting in Geneva the 22-24 June. Although there are financial implications, the cost is negligible compared with the recognized gains for country programs that GIPA best practices brings. A decision by the PCB to establish GIPA 'Facilitators' at each UNAIDS country offices in the coming months will add value to UNAIDS as an innovative model for the rest of the UN system, and a global leader in practicing what they preach.
Click to 'Say Yes', and get this on the Board Meeting Agenda
- Celina's blog
- Login or register to post comments
We need GIPA Desks AND GIPT Desks
The lack of involvment of PLHIV and TB Patients from the communities makes me think that the famous collaboration between the two programs would be better advanced if the it was GIPA and GIPT Facilitators in each country. See:
http://www.worldcarecouncil.org/content/gipa-gipt-2-diseases-1-principle...
Yes to GIPAT Desks!
Agree with Tala. If there was a GIPA and GIPT officer in each country things could mooove forward. I just read again the GIPT declaration and i strongly feel the two desks shuld be one. yes to GIPAT.
Work together TB - HIV is GIPT - GIPA
Cause we need to go to one place for our ART and go other place for TB tablets show me a problem in programmes work together. Same for NGO cause AIDS NGO not working with TB NGO. Same for people with one or other disease. If progamme and NGO shod work together more, may be have a person with diseases to help them remember would be very good. GIPAT desks on all countries remind every group to work more together and help raise uup all patients.
GIPAT Facilitators at every Country Office
Seeknu and Cindy Chakala are right. We must push for the creation of a position in each country, and make sure that a big broad group of PLHA and PLTB are involved in overseeing the hiring and overseeing the worker. This GIPAT facilitator will works for the community, and their role could be to assist the two programme TB and HIV, the providers, the business sector and PLHA/TBPatients take steps together so the GIPA and GIPT. Getting a good person who is living with diseases on the inside would be a great booster to those on the outside of UNAIDS or WHO. GIPAT worker is needed.
Only if PLHIV hold the 'Desk' Accountable
Do we need a GIPA Desk at UNAIDS Country Offices? Is it another UN bureaucrat holding the strings, accountable only to a higher bureaucrat that would best serve PLHIV ? No, I don't think so. But if a broad group of PLHIV were responsible for the development of the position, in an open, transparent process, and the only 'strings' were independently held by the nation-wide community of PLHIV, then this GIPA facilitator would be most useful. The Desk must be designed and crafted by PLHIV and held to account by the community. Thats GIPA.
UNAIDS GIPA Policy Position: Practice whats preached?
In regards to the demand for a GIPA Desk in UNAIDS country offices, I found the UNAIDS policy position that should allow, and encourage, the PCB to practice what is preached.
From UNAIDS: No single agency can provide for the full spectrum of needs of people living with HIV: partnerships between actors are therefore needed. To enable the active engagement of people living with HIV, UNAIDS urges all actors to ensure that people living with HIV have the space and the practical support for their greater and more meaningful involvement.
Governments, international agencies and civil society must:
• set, implement and monitor minimum targets for the participation of people living with HIV, including women, young people and marginalized populations, in decision-making bodies. Selection processes should be inclusive, transparent and democratic; and
• involve people living with HIV in developing funding priorities and in the choice, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of HIV programmes from their inception.
http://www.unaids.org/en/PolicyAndPractice/GIPA/default.asp
"Ensure that PLHIV have the space and support for GIPA"
Thank you Kristin. When I see "UNAIDS urges all actors to ensure that people living with HIV have the space and the practical support for their greater and more meaningful involvement, I feel sure NGO Delegation will bring GIPA Desks to the PCB, and they will say yes to GIPA desks.
Yes to a GIPA Desk at UNAIDS Country Office India?
From: GIPA Now [mailto:gipa.now@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, June 18, 2010 10:31 PM
To: Gilks, Charles
Subject: Will you Say Yes to a GIPA Desk at UNAIDS Country Office India?
Dear Dr. Charles Gilks,
UNAIDS is a model of good governance within the UN 'Family' (WHO, UNAIDS, ILO, UNDP, etc.) in encouraging civil society involvement and welcoming the NGO Delegation to the Board (PCB). UNAIDS has also been in the lead in promoting GIPA, the Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS, and has encouraged governments and the private sector to practice this important policy. (http://www.unaids.org/en/PolicyAndPractice/GIPA/default.asp )
However, promoting and practicing seems to be two different things. UNAIDS does not have any country level GIPA coordinators or PLHIV engaged to promote and oversee the practice of this policy. Although UNAIDS Head Quarter in Geneva has a small number of PLHIV working on different issues, 'in-country' there is no one from the community living with HIV engaged by UNAIDS to turn the words of Geneva into realities on the ground.
Every UNAIDS Country Office must establish a 'GIPA Facilitator Desk', with resources to carry out the job, for a PLHIV trained to coordinate, advance and mainstream GIPA across the public and private sectors. Every UNAIDS Country Office should work with the community to develop the terms of reference for this focal point position, and as GIPA Policy states, allow greater involvement of PLHIV Community in designing the job description, work-plan, selection or election of the PLHIV, and oversight of the performance of the 'GIPA Facilitator'. The person should be accountable to both UNAIDS and the Community of PLHIV, and transparent for all.
We think India should lead this move in the right direction. From our understanding of UNAIDS India practices over many years of our experiences, this decision is one that must be supported and approved by the PCB. Hence, we'd like to discuss this with you before the forthcoming meeting with a view to having your inputs, and support for this initiative.
Our colleagues on the NGO Delegation and within the Observers group will try to get this demand for GIPA 'Facilitators' on the agenda at the upcoming 26th PCB meeting in Geneva the 22-24 June. Although there are financial implications, the cost is negligible compared with the recognized gains for country programs that GIPA best practices brings. In fact, they think that a decision by the PCB to establish GIPA 'Facilitators' at each UNAIDS country offices in the coming months will add value to UNAIDS as an innovative model for the rest of the UN system, and a global leader in practicing what they preach. We would like India to take the lead in this innovation. Can we count on your moral support?
We apologize for the last minute request, but as more PLHIV have become aware of upcoming UNAIDS PCB meeting recently, this issue has appeared on a growing number of listserves, and the idea has been germinating and spreading fast. In short, the idea for "Say Yes to GIPA Desk" is only 48 hours old. Empowerment can be contagious, and go viral.
Thank you for your consideration.
Looking forward to hearing from you positively.
warm regards,
The Say Yes to GIPA Desk Campaign
sd/-
Snehansu Bhaduri, NHP+, Kolkata, West Bengal
David Daizy, TNNP+, Chennai, Tamilnadu
Brijesh Dubey, RNP+, Jaipur, Rajastan
Tarit Chakraborty, BNP+, Kolkata, West Bengal
Roma Jana, Maitri Network of PLHIV, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Jiban Brambha, BNP+, Kolkata, West Bengal
Kausik Das, NIPASHA & UPNP+, Uttar Pradesh
Samir Naska - BNP+, Kolkata, West Bangal
Amitabh Abasti, UPNP+, Uttar Pradesh
Archana Jain, GNP+, Gwallior, Madhya Pradesh
Jaffer Inamdar, Positive lives India(PLI+), Goa
Monalias Thakur, Positive lives India(PLI+), Goa
Fahmida Shaikh, Positive lives India(PLI+), Goa
Celina Menezes D'Costa, World Care Council, India
Farzana Begum, West Bengal Network of PLHIV (BNP+)
Dengzathang, Consortium of Positive People Churachandpur, Manipur
J.K. Lian, Consortium Positive People Churachandpur, Manipur
S. Liana, Consortium Positive People Churachandpur, Manipur
Thanglemsang, Consortium Positive People Churachandpur, Manipur
Zohmingi, Consortium Positive People Churachandpur, Manipur
Pauzagou, Consortium Positive People Churachanpur, Manipur
Manniang, Churachandpur Positive Women Network(CPWN+)
Narola, Churachandpur Positive Women Network(CPWN+), Manipur
Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+), Imphal, Manipur,
Ritu B Nanda, India Competance
Joe Thomas, International Centre for Health Equity
Dr. E.M.Rafique,Country Team Leader,EMPHASIS Program,Care India,
Roma Banerjee, SPYM, Delhi, India
Joan Njeri Mwangi, India
Dr. Ganesh P. Rane, SMI Business Initiative Task Force on HIV/AIDS-Mumbai
Dr. Nita Mawar, NARI, Pune
Ms.Boazo, Khekhrie Foundation, Nagaland
Dr.Joyceangami, Nossal Trust India, Kohima, Nagaland
Dr. P.C. Rao, Society for Social Services, Hyderabad
Sambhaji Patil, Disha Samajik Sanstha Kolhapur
.../...
gipa.now@gmail.com
Dr. Charles Gilks replies to PLHIV "positive suggestions"
From: Gilks, Charles
Date: Sat, Jun 19, 2010 at 6:20 PM
Subject: RE: Will you Say Yes to a GIPA Desk at UNAIDS Country Office India?
To: GIPA Now
Dear colleagues and friends,
Thank you for the message and for your positive suggestions for establishing GIPA co-ordinators at country level – including of course in India.
Unfortunately, I am not going to be in PCB next week – but HQ and EXD is aware of this campaign and the needs of country offices in this respect; as well as what could be achieved. HQ is also aware of the challenges in implementing such an initiative across UNAIDS.
We look forward to PCB and the outcome of this important proposal; and to meeting soon in Delhi to discuss this more.
Best,
Charles
UCC India
A GIPA Desk can move
Having an independent GIPA focal point hosted by UNAIDS county offices would be very good. The GIPA Desk can move things ahead. GIPA has stalled, good to get Desks moving.
Me too. Yes to GIPA Desks for UNAIDS
UNAIDS can back GIPA coordinator PLHIV in country offices. Yes to GIPA Desk. Yes to PLHIV. Yes to GIPA ever where.