Civil Society Support Mechanism
A Civil Society Support Mechanism was set up at the end of 2007 by a Coalition of community organizations, with support from UNAIDS. It aims to provide communication, consultation, and coordination support for civil society to be meaningfully involved in the review of the implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS (2001) and the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS (2006).
The Coalition was formed by the African Council of AIDS Service Organizations (AfriCASO), AIDS Action Europe
(AAE), the Asia-Pacific Council of AIDS Service Organizations (APCASO), the Latin America and the Caribbean Council of AIDS Service Organizations (LACCASO), the International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO), and the International Women’s Health Coalition (IWHC).
The Coalition is committed to serve as a platform to improve communication among all stakeholders, and to directly provide support to civil society representatives and organizations to strengthen their involvement in the country and international 2008 AIDS review processes.
Regional and international Civil Society Support Groups made of up diverse civil society organizations and representatives will provide the leadership and direction for the support mechanism, functioning as consultation, coordination and advisory groups for the different levels of activities. These will be facilitated and supported by the Coalition members, with communication also being supported by HDN and WAC.
Examples of specific activities include:
- Mobilization for involvement and advocacy around the 2008 AIDS Review – in national reporting and the UN General Assembly High Level Meeting in June 2008.
- Communication and information sharing to civil society organizations on opportunities for involvement and action at the regional and international levels.
- Provide support and advice (via the regional and international Support Groups) to the Civil Society Task Force set up to advise the Office of the President of the General Assembly on the High Level Meeting and related activities e.g. Civil Society Hearing.
- Provide support to civil society participants in the High Level Meetings and related civil society advocacy action.
If you would like further information on the Mechanism or how to get involved in the 2008 AIDS Review, please write to universalaccess2010@icaso.org
