2015 PEPFAR Consultation
Building on Firm Foundations: The 2015 Consultation on Strengthening Partnerships Between Faith-Based Organizations and PEPFAR to Build Capacity for Sustained Responses to HIV/AIDS
In May 2012, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), in collaboration with St. Paul’s University (SPU) and Emory University’s Interfaith Health Program (IHP), hosted a consultation on the role of faith-based organizations (FBOs) in sustaining country and community leadership in the response to HIV/AIDS. Participants included faith leaders from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. In April 2015, PEPFAR, SPU, and IHP once again convened FBO leaders in a consultation to review the recommendations made in the first meeting, further examine critical issues in addressing HIV/AIDS, share valuable insights from experiences in responding to HIV/AIDS, and to chart a path for future efforts.
From the beginning of the epidemic, FBOs have responded with compassion, courage, and expertise. They represent a key – yet often overlooked – element of effective disease response. Motivated by deep commitments to their neighbors and communities, FBOs have provided a full range of services to those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. During the last decade, African nations have made great progress in preventing new infections and providing HIV care and treatment, with support from PEPFAR and other partners. FBOs have been a crucial contributor to this success. As we move into the future, collaboration among governments, communities, and the faith-based sector will remain imperative for strengthening and sustaining prevention, care, and treatment services at both the country and community levels.
CONSULTATION GOAL, OBJECTIVES, AGENDA, HOST, AND CONVENORS
CONSULTATION GOAL: To identify, describe, and strengthen the distinctive contributions of faith-based organizations in support of sustained, effective, country-led responses to HIV/AIDS in collaboration with PEPFAR.
CONSULTATION OBJECTIVES:
- Discuss progress made on responding to key recommendations developed at the 2012 PEPFAR Consultation with Faith-based Organizations.
- Identify and define the essential elements required to build the capacity of faith-based organizations to support a sustained response to HIV.
- Identify and describe innovative faith-based models for working with hard-to-reach and vulnerable communities.
- Describe the ways in which a strengthened HIV response for PMTCT and pediatric HIV can support maternal and child health programs.
- Describe and define the ways in which gender impacts the risk for HIV infection and access to HIV services for women and men.
- Describe challenges and opportunities for faith-based organizations to work with key populations.
- Define the priorities and strategies that inform PEPFAR’s global efforts.
- Define the role of faith-based organizations and faith leaders in advocacy for universal access to HIV services.
- Develop a set of key recommendations to guide efforts to build partnerships between faith-based organizations and PEPFAR into the future.
- Develop strategies for faith-based organizations to effectively communicate with diverse audiences.
CONSULTATION HOST: Rev. Canon Joseph Galgalo, Ph.D Vice Chancellor, St. Paul’s University
CONSULTATION CONVENORS: St. Paul’s University and Emory University Interfaith Health Program
2012 AND 2015 CONSULTATION KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
CONSULTATION PRESENTATIONS
- Building the Capacity of Faith-based Organizations in Support of Their Essential Role in the Global Fight Against HIV/AIDS»
René Berger, M.P.H. • HIV/AIDS Team Leader • U.S. Agency for International Development, Kenya - Working with Commercial Sex Workers»
Father Mena Attwa • Coptic Hospital - Working with People who Use Drugs»
Abdalla Badhrus • Program Manager, Health and Harm Reduction Services • Muslim Education and Welfare Association - Working with HIV-positive Adolescents»
- Nicholas Makau • Director • Lea Toto Community Outreach, Nyumbani
- Working with LGBTI Communities»
Marie Tunu Ramtu • Program Officer • Church World Service - FBOs and Key Populations: Challenges, Questions, and Opportunities»
Maureen Ong’ombe • Independent Consultant - The Connections Among PMTCT, Pediatric HIV, and Maternal and Child Health Services»
Abraham Kyuvi Katana, M.B.Ch.B, M.Sc. Chief • HIV Treatment and Care • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kenya - Speed and Equity: Fast Track to Save Lives»
- Sally Smith • Community Mobilization Adviser Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS • UNAIDS
- Telling Your Story: How Faith-based Organizations Communicate Their Messages»
- Veronica Davison, M.A. • Acting Director for Public Affairs & Communication • Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy; Karyn DeLuca • Communications Specialist • Emory University Interfaith Health Program; Andres Ilves • Founder and Principal • Ilves International