Community Mobilization & Activism

1. Community Mobilization & Activism

2. PLHIV involvement (in service delivery, policy and programming) • Networks capacity building • Links to key populations • Funding for the HIV response • New science and research

3. PLHIV involvement (in service delivery, policy and programming) What are the main issues • Re-energising the GIPA principle - from paper to practice • Empowerment – to make meaningful contribution • Leadership and responsibility: • Need to go back to the basics ‘ How to be leaders’ • Lack of leadership skills • No place to apply training, skills and knowledge • Funding for sensitizing and promoting new and young leaders about the GIPA/MIPA principle in countries, communities through leadership skills transfer • People not engaged with all communities and key populations • Stigma is a limiting factor • Dealing with your own issues

4. PLHIV involvement (in service delivery, policy and programming What are our main advocacy asks? • Quality service delivery: I live my life, I understand my life, I know what I go through- ask me • Nothing about us without us or alternatively: If you are not at the table you are not on the menu • We need to be cautious with what and how we are involved • Continuous capacity building empowerment and engagement • Effective Leadership: It is about contributing to what is meaningful and helpful and not about positions. What is best for all of us is to inclusive of those who don’t participate in meetings , conferences and conventions

5. Networks capacity building What are the main issues Competition between PLHIV networks within countries Sharing models of what works – best practices Networking with PLHIV and key populations Capacity building includes training in politics/conflict resolution; human resources PLHIV – unpaid labour Funding specifically for key populations with HIV and YPLHIV Corruption with PLHIV networks

6. Networks capacity building What should our main actions be? • Mechanisms for PLHIV networks to hold each other accountable for • Being fully inclusive of key populations, including women, LGBTI people, sex workers, and PWUD • Gender sensitivity and equality in leadership • Our work is “… to do the work and serve the community” • Recognize skills and limitations – be willing to outsource skills (finance management) • Capacity building is best done by implementing projects, not as a separate free-standing activity. It is a long term commitment. • Unpaid labor of PLHIV volunteers has made the response to the epidemic possible – and it can harm our own health and lead to burn out. Need financial support that recognizes our expertise and value. • On-going community education, dialogue, and mentoring processes need to be in place to support young people and new voices to join in PLHIV movements.

7. Links to key populations What are the main issues Key populations both marginalized and marginalizing Some key populations have specific needs e.g. Populations may have specific psychosocial supports needs while at the same time there are linkage crossing over between key populations. Key populations pushed to background because of stigma and discrimination Silos within and between organizations wrt key populations Lack of data i.e. research studies for advocacy and programming Lack of interest/commitment leading to lack of funding for awareness and programmes

8. Links to key populations What are our main advocacy asks? • Research on issues and needs • Leadership on key populations issues by PLHIV networks and organizations by integrating issues into work culture e.g. strategic and work plans etc. • Key populations to advocate for and support other key population groups and act in solidarity as opposed to acting in silos • Budgets need to be allocated: Positive leadership in directing funds and services • Prioritize programming • National networks: enshrine diversity in governance documents • Key populations to speak up and demand place within PLHIV network

9. Funding for the HIV response What are the main issues Lack of strategy for short and long term funding Lack of core funding with a lot of funding project-based Funding is dominated by large AIDS organization leaving no room for smaller organization Monitoring of funds e.g. lack of transparency as to where funding is going within PLHIV organizations Lack of specific staff within PLHIV organizations for resource mobilization How are we going to achieve zero discrimination, zero new infections, zero deaths, MDG goals, 15mX15 and then what? What are the next steps?

10. Funding for the HIV response What are our main advocacy asks? • Active involvement and to work as a team for fundraising. Advocacy within PLHIV networks for individuals to bring their professional skills into the networks. • Advocate for funding and equitable distribution of funds: • Money to be used for high impact response with proven efficacy. • Advocate directly with government representatives for more funding. • Support PLHIV involvement for the application of the Investment Framework - Access to funding streams from UNAIDS country funds and other sources • Professionals to manage funds • Watchdog system i.e. external monitoring

11. New science and research What are the main issues Feeling within resource-limited Francophone countries that PLHIV are excluded from research and associated funding. It is not the case in all situations that if a person is infected during trials that treatment is available. Young researchers are less "sensitized" to the nuances of the experience of people living with HIV. Researchers have an obligation to inform research participants of the reasons for the study and to be treated with respect. Research participants are not guinea pigs. Both participating communities and countries must benefit from the research. Often research organizations do not involve people living with HIV in a clear and transparent manner.

12. New science and research What are our main advocacy asks? • To be both active particpants in and beneficaries of research studies

13. Thank you ….