African civil society consultation on Abuja+5 and UNGASS+5
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April 10-12, 2006
Abuja, Nigeria
Since the beginning of 2006, a number of African civil society
organisations have been deliberating to generate broad national
and regional focus on key HIV and AIDS events in 2006, particu-
larly as they affect the African response to the pandemic. These
key events and processes include the African Summit on AIDS, TB
and Malaria (Abuja+5 Summit) holding in May 2006, the five-year
review meeting on the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment (May 31-
June 1 2006 in New York) and the UNAIDS/DFID-led Universal Ac-
cess to HIV and AIDS prevention, care, treatment and support in
Africa.
Under the umbrella of the African Civil Society Coalition on
Abuja+5, over 30 African groups, regional networks, associations
of PLWH, faith-based organisations as well as international or-
ganisations have proposed a pan-African consultation meeting to
agree on strategies for civil society-led national campaigns and
participation in the Abuja+5 summit. The meeting will enable
civil society organizations to plan joint activities towards the
summit, develop actions at national level, agree on key cam-
paigns and messages and discuss on an operational framework for
sustaining joint campaigns on key Africa-centred HIV and AIDS
issues. It is hoped that the meeting will also enable the emer-
gence of a strong African civil society platform on HIV and AIDS
advocacy beyond Abuja+5.
The African Civil Society Coalition on Abuja+5 is a movement of
African NGOs, CBOs and international organisations working to
mobilise national and pan-African civil society response to the
Abuja Declaration and Framework and other major HIV and AIDS
initiatives in Africa. Steering committee members include: Ac-
tionAid International, African Council of AIDS Service Organisa-
tions (AfriCASO), African Microbicides Advocacy Group (AMAG),
Journalists Against AIDS Nigeria, Network of African People liv-
ing with HIV/AIDS (NAP+), Oxfam GB, Panos Global AIDS Programme,
Society for Women and AIDS in Africa (SWAA), Treatment Action
Campaign (TAC) and the World AIDS Campaign (WAC).
Objectives of the regional consultation
1. Discuss and agree on strategies for full civil society par-
ticipation in the Abuja+5 summit;
2. Review and finalise on a civil society shadow report on coun-
try compliance to the Abuja Declaration and Framework of Action;
3. Agree on key messages and Africa-centred campaign themes for
the UNGASS Summit, Universal Access and other related key HIV
and AIDS initiatives;
4. Enable the revitalization of an advocacy platform for African
civil society groups on HIV/AIDS.
Outcomes
- African CSOs fully involved in the planning and the agenda of
the Abuja+5 summit;
- An action plan for civil society campaigns at country and re-
gional level activities towards Abuja+5, UNGASS+5 and Universal
Access;
- Key HIV and AIDS messages and 'moments' for African civil so-
ciety in 2006 clearly identified and agreed on (including such
issues as UNGASS, Universal Access etc.);
- Adoption of an African civil society position paper on
Abuja+5;
- An operational framework or platform for African CSOs to carry
out joint HIV/AIDS campaigns developed and accepted by all.
Venue and dates
The regional consultation will hold in Abuja, Nigeria on April
10 to 12 2006. Arrival is Sunday April 09, while departure is
Thursday April 13. Venue is the Sheraton Hotel and Towers,
Garki, Abuja. The meeting will be hosted by Nigeria's Civil So-
ciety Forum on HIV/AIDS, comprising eight constituency coordi-
nating entities (CCEs). Journalists Against AIDS (JAAIDS) Nige-
ria - a member of the steering committee - will serve as local
organisers for the meeting.
Financial support for the consultation is being provided by a
number of partners including: ActionAid International, OSISA,
OSIWA, Oxfam International, Panos GAP and UNAIDS.
For further information, please contact:
Omololu Falobi
Journalists Against AIDS (JAAIDS) Nigeria
Tel.: Lagos: +234-1-773-1457, 812-8565
Tel.: Abuja: +234-9-672-1744
mailto:jaaidsng@nigeria-aids.org