The Development of the “Brazilian Menu of Partnership Options”

1. The Development of the “Brazilian Menu of Partnership Options” Betina Durovni*, Maria Etelvina Barros#, Naiara G. da Costa# *Health Secretary Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. #UNAIDS Brazil Introduction After careful selection of several institutions, the consultant had individual meetings, or phone/e-mail consultations with various partners, from different regions in Brazil, to invite them to participate in the initiative. UNAIDS Geneva provided guidelines that outlined the stakeholder process and guided the group’s work. The Brazil Menu of Partnership Options were launched at the World Economic Forum meeting in New York, on January 2002. Menus were disseminated in several meetings and major events attended by CPA and UN Theme Group Chair. A Portuguese version of the menu with updated data and new projects was prepared and launched in country on November 20, 21 and 22 during the Latin America Business Summit 2002. Visit site: www.weforum.org. This version was mailed to companies with a letter of presentation. At the first United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS (UNGASS), June 2001, there was broad agreement that in order to scale up AIDS efforts from community to national level it would be essential to involve all social and economic sectors. The Secretary General issued a Call to Action noting in particular that the private sector could make an important contribution to the expanded response. The purpose of the Brazil Menu of Partnership Options is to provide an advocacy tool for building public-private partnerships by illustrating a range of options and providing ideas for private sector actors who want to get involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The menu highlights projects that are consistent with national HIV/AIDS strategies and that present opportunities for scaled-up action. Lessons learned Description • It is important to obtain the involvement of all TG members, the NAP private sector and civil society stakeholders from the onset of the process. This is emphasized in the menu guidelines. • It is very important to keep partners involved at all stages since this ensures that they buy into the process and feel that this is their project. Decisions were made in consultation with partners. • It is crucial that the consultant work closely with the CPA and the Partnership Unit’s menu team in Geneva. The constant feedback ensures that the team is on the right track and that a consistent product is developed. • An abbreviated submission form, in addition to the full project description, can be helpful to presentation of the most accurate information, and can guide project managers to format information in accordance with the template menu design. • A consultant who was familiar to HIV/AIDS issues in Brazil was invited to lead the process. The consultant selected background reference documents that would be used in the compilation of the menu. • National AIDS Programme representatives, the UNAIDS CPA and Consultant held a meeting in October 2001 to discuss a strategy for project identification. Information was provided on the purpose of the menu, the advantage of Brazil having a menu, funding mechanisms of the menu and on the process of developing such a menu for Brazil. The profile of actors, projects and sectors that would be covered in the menu were discussed and decided upon. • The Brazilian menu include highlights partnership opportunities in six thematic inserts, namely: • Young people • Mass media and HIV/AIDS • Care and support • Vulnerable populations • Condoms • Prevention of mother-to-child transmission. Follow up/Recommendations • Monitor and evaluate progress. • Use the Menu as an advocacy tool by the NAP, TG Members and other partners. • Build/strengthen in-country partnership. • Strengthen partnership with business council and the National Industries Confederation. • Closer follow up with 20 key partners to monitor and support their dissemination of the menu • Maintain contact with two main foundation fora presenting the menu