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Amplifying Different Voices as a core HIV/AIDS Strategy?

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Amplifying Different Voices as a core HIV/AIDS Strategy?

To: The HIV/AIDS Community within The Drum Beat network

From: Warren Feek - Executive Director - The Communication Initiative Health, HIV/AIDS, Rights, Media

Hi - This note is prompted by an article in The Guardian Development on the forthcoming G8 Conference - Austerity-hit G8 leaders.... Very few of the "voices" that are quoted and inform this kind of perspective are people directly affected by the development issues under consideration. It is a kind of experts meet celebrities meet rich folks view of development policy making and advocacy. Perhaps this contributes to the lack of progress and "steam" as outlined in the article.

There is of course another way to do this - a way in which the HIV/AIDS community (used to?) lead. A strategy in which the people most affected, including by HIV/AIDS, are supported to be the lead "voices". You can see this perspective in strategic form in processes such as Voices from Villages, Bring Voices in from the Margins, Storytelling to Combat HIV/AIDS Stigma, and campaignstrategy.org

When it comes to effective HIV/AIDS Communication Strategies do we need to return to and/or further strengthen the voices and roles of those most directly affected by HIV/AIDS as the prime advocates and policy contributors. Would such an approach provide a much stronger, more compelling and resonant approach to local, national and global advocacy - with greater success?

Simply reply to this email or click read more below and comment.

With many thanks for sharing your response, analysis and ideas - Warren

Warren Feek - Executive Director - The Communication Initiative

http://www.comminit.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/warrencomminit

Facebook: The Communication Initiative Network http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Communication-Initiative-Network/344005148956579

LinkedIn: Warren Feek

Skype: Warren Feek Office - 1–250-658-6372 Mobile 1-250-588-8795 Fax 1-250-658-1728

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You ask us: “Would such an

You ask us: “Would such an approach [strengthen the voices and roles of those most directly affected by HIV/AIDS as the prime advocates and policy contributors] provide a much stronger, more compelling and resonant approach to local, national and global advocacy - with greater success?”

And that approach is contrasted with the G8 leaders at their summit where, according to The Guardian, they will feel zero pressure to fund development initiatives. Thus far, in the history of HIV/AIDS advocacy, I believe that those affected by this infection have been the most eloquent advocates and have contributed enormously to turning funds toward effective uses, lowering the rate of infection in some critical areas and among some vulnerable groups.

Take adolescent girls, for example: http://www.comminit.com/health_rights_media/content/young-women-life-choices-and-livelihoods-poor-urban-areas Due to their research participation, we now realize how many of girls actually stay home (85%, in some countries) to avoid sexual harassment and danger of infection due to rape. This loss of the opportunity for education, and what can be gained through education (knowledge and work skills for self-efficacy, delaying of marriage and pregnancy), exacerbates enormously nearly every other development dilemma we face. And it puts them at increased risk of HIV through early marriage and exposure to MCP. Should the G8 be listening to girls?

And what of human rights related to HIV and other development dilemmas… who can speak more strongly than those whose rights are violated (would you choose a G8 leader to express your thinking in this situation?): http://www.comminit.com/health_rights_media/content/making-it-work-lessons-learnt-three-regional-workshops-integrate-human-rights-national-h The organisations that amplify voices and turn their thinking into action planning know how powerful and accurate this kind of focused planning can be.

And then, when voiced ideas are turned into communication, it has proven effective and continues to do so. For example: http://www.comminit.com/health_rights_media/content/mobilize4africa-campaign

Thanks, Julie Levy

It is interesting that the

It is interesting that the discussion generated by the article in The Guardian offered little more than simplistic and rather archaic depictions of the issue as 'right or left' 'socialist or capitalist'. In some ways there is a danger of sliding into the same simplistic dialogue by posing this as rich and powerful voices versus poor and powerless voices.

Considering the examples offered by the article to debunk the equally simplistic notion that growth equals poverty reduction, growth in India has not resulted in the same percentage reduction in poverty as growth in Brazil. Does this not point to a different conclusion regarding the relationship between rich and poor (and importantly the middle class) and the dialogue that goes on within societies regarding the role of political institutions and the aspirations they set themselves. Celebrities, political leaders even billionaires have a role to play but the intersections that create the impetus for one kind of development policy over another have to do with whose voices are heard and prioritized.

Where we ignore, marginalise or otherwise silence some from the dialogue we create injustice but where we privilege one voice over another (the rich over the poor or far less often Vice Versa) we lose the opportunity for the type of dialogue that can build social and political will for inclusive policies. Brazil has sustained policies that have real impact on poverty not only because the voices of those most effected by poverty are heard but also because they are heard in dialogue with others in society which builds support for anti-poverty policies. In the world of HIV/AIDS prevention these lessons have been learned over many years that if women are most effected by sexual violence then men need to be part of the dialogue if these cycles are to be broken and if stigma is to be reduced attitudes need to change amongst many sectors. See http://www.comminit.com/health_rights_media/content/south-africa-men-partners-network-mobilising-men-gender-justice-during-16-days-activism-or http://www.comminit.com/health_rights_media/content/reducing-stigma-and-discrimination-related-hiv-and-aids-training-health-care-workers-tra

So, paying attention to whose voices are 'at the table' is critical if we wish to build the political and social will for change and talking only to those most effected or those we feel most comfortable with is no way to build sustainable anti-poverty initiatives any more than it is a way to end stigma or gender violence.

Hi, Walking through a subway

Hi,

Walking through a subway station about a decade ago, a friend of mine spotted a ONE Campaign PSA on a screen and, for the first time, said he "got it" - that ad resonated with him in terms of the need for awareness-raising on HIV/AIDS issues. Balancing that experience with the insights of previous contributors to this conversation (Julie and Chris), I am reflecting on what it means to integrate various kinds of voices - large-scale or grassroots and everything in between - into the development process.

My background is in ethics, and so I was drawn to this: "Nothing About Us Without Us": Greater, Meaningful Involvement of People Who Use Illegal Drugs: A Public Health, Ethical, and Human Rights Imperativehttp://www.comminit.com/health_rights_media/content/nothing-about-us-without-us-greater-meaningful-involvement-people-who-use-illegal-drugs-

We all want to see evidence of impact. Here are a couple of ethics-related items related to the involvement of those actually experiencing the development challenge at hand: * Expanding Reproductive Rights Knowledge and Advocacy with HIV-positive Women and their Allies in Namibia - An Action-Oriented Initiative http://www.comminit.com/health_rights_media/content/expanding-reproductive-rights-knowledge-and-advocacy-hiv-positive-women-and-their-allies * Investing in Community Advocacy for HIV Prevention: Showing Results http://www.comminit.com/health_rights_media/content/investing-community-advocacy-hiv-prevention-showing-results

In the latter item, it is noted that: "The empowerment and involvement of people living with HIV and key populations was central to PTAP [Prevention Treatment Advocacy Project (PTAP)]. In all 10 countries, important results were achieved in mobilizing and building the capacity of such groups and ensuring their meaningful involvement in advocacy on HIV prevention. In turn, this was part of the Project's broader strategy to build a diverse, skilled and powerful community movement to support the scale up of HIV prevention alongside expanded access to treatment."

It would be great to hear, through this forum, stories from practitioners who have experienced the ways in which varied voices - however they are amplified - make a difference when it comes to addressing HIV/AIDS.

~ Kier Olsen DeVries

Thank you very much for your

Thank you very much for your concern and i would like to know if there is possibilities ways we can get assisted incase of proposing a proposal to educate perform dramas and also leading youths with talents to sustain and prosper their talents?

thank you.

On Sat, May 4, 2013 at 5:03 AM, Development Networks < oa-incoming@comminit.com> wrote:

((( Reply by email to comment on this post ))) Greetings TYUTG,

Comment by Kier Test Persona: Hi,

Walking through a subway

Hi,

Walking through a subway station about a decade ago, a friend of mine spotted a ONE Campaign PSA on a screen and, for the first time, said he "got it" - that ad resonated with him in terms of the need for awareness-raising on HIV/AIDS issues. Balancing that experience with the insights of previous contributors to this conversation (Julie and Chris), I am reflecting on what it means to integrate various kinds of voices - large-scale or grassroots and everything in between - into the development process.

My background is in ethics, and so I was drawn to this: "Nothing About Us Without Us": Greater, Meaningful Involvement of People Who Use Illegal Drugs: A Public Health, Ethical, and Human Rights Imperativehttp:// www.comminit.com/health_rights_media/content/nothing-about-us-without-us-greater-meaningful-involvement-people-who-use-illegal-drugs-

We all want to see evidence of impact. Here are a couple of ethics-related items related to the involvement of those actually experiencing the development challenge at hand: * Expanding Reproductive Rights Knowledge and Advocacy with HIV-positive Women and their Allies in Namibia - An Action-Oriented Initiative

http://www.comminit.com/health_rights_media/content/expanding-reproductive-rights-knowledge-and-advocacy-hiv-positive-women-and-their-allies * Investing in Community Advocacy for HIV Prevention: Showing Results

http://www.comminit.com/health_rights_media/content/investing-community-advocacy-hiv-prevention-showing-results

In the latter item, it is noted that: "The empowerment and involvement of people living with HIV and key populations was central to PTAP [Prevention Treatment Advocacy Project (PTAP)]. In all 10 countries, important results were achieved in mobilizing and building the capacity of such groups and ensuring their meaningful involvement in advocacy on HIV prevention. In turn, this was part of the Project's broader strategy to build a diverse, skilled and powerful community movement to support the scale up of HIV prevention alongside expanded access to treatment."

It would be great to hear, through this forum, stories from practitioners who have experienced the ways in which varied voices - however they are amplified - make a difference when it comes to addressing HIV/AIDS.

~ Kier Olsen DeVries

Read more http://networks.comminit.com/node/88087#comment-17384

-- This is an automatic message from Development Networks To manage your subscriptions, browse to http://networks.comminit.com/user/23952/notifications You can unsubscribe at http://networks.comminit.com/notifications/unsubscribe/subscription/258392?timestamp=1367633028&signature=a0fd2bff8c69cc7244d8af90bc3b1bde View original post: http://networks.comminit.com/mailcomment/redirect/%3C23952.88087.17384.1367622120.049d132f583651b7b66a912d97bbbf77%40comminit.com%3E

Hello, thanks for the note.

Hello, thanks for the note. What kind of assistance ere you suggesting?

Sent from my iPhone

On 30 Sep 2013, at 07:14 pm, Development Networks oa-incoming@comminit.com wrote:

((( Reply by email to comment on this post ))) Greetings Missanga,

Comment by TYUTG: Thank you very much for your

Thank you very much for your concern and i would like to know if there is possibilities ways we can get assisted incase of proposing a proposal to educate perform dramas and also leading youths with talents to sustain and prosper their talents?

thank you.

On Sat, May 4, 2013 at 5:03 AM, Development Networks < oa-incoming@comminit.com> wrote:

((( Reply by email to comment on this post ))) Greetings TYUTG,

Comment by Kier Test Persona: Hi,

Walking through a subway

Hi,

Walking through a subway station about a decade ago, a friend of mine spotted a ONE Campaign PSA on a screen and, for the first time, said he "got it" - that ad resonated with him in terms of the need for awareness-raising on HIV/AIDS issues. Balancing that experience with the insights of previous contributors to this conversation (Julie and Chris), I am reflecting on what it means to integrate various kinds of voices - large-scale or grassroots and everything in between - into the development process.

My background is in ethics, and so I was drawn to this: "Nothing About Us Without Us": Greater, Meaningful Involvement of People Who Use Illegal Drugs: A Public Health, Ethical, and Human Rights Imperativehttp:// www.comminit.com/health_rights_media/content/nothing-about-us-without-us-greater-meaningful-involvement-people-who-use-illegal-drugs-

We all want to see evidence of impact. Here are a couple of ethics-related items related to the involvement of those actually experiencing the development challenge at hand: * Expanding Reproductive Rights Knowledge and Advocacy with HIV-positive Women and their Allies in Namibia - An Action-Oriented Initiative

http://www.comminit.com/health_rights_media/content/expanding-reproductive-rights-knowledge-and-advocacy-hiv-positive-women-and-their-allies * Investing in Community Advocacy for HIV Prevention: Showing Results

http://www.comminit.com/health_rights_media/content/investing-community-advocacy-hiv-prevention-showing-results

In the latter item, it is noted that: "The empowerment and involvement of people living with HIV and key populations was central to PTAP [Prevention Treatment Advocacy Project (PTAP)]. In all 10 countries, important results were achieved in mobilizing and building the capacity of such groups and ensuring their meaningful involvement in advocacy on HIV prevention. In turn, this was part of the Project's broader strategy to build a diverse, skilled and powerful community movement to support the scale up of HIV prevention alongside expanded access to treatment."

It would be great to hear, through this forum, stories from practitioners who have experienced the ways in which varied voices - however they are amplified - make a difference when it comes to addressing HIV/AIDS.

~ Kier Olsen DeVries

Read more http://networks.comminit.com/node/88087#comment-17384

-- This is an automatic message from Development Networks To manage your subscriptions, browse to http://networks.comminit.com/user/23952/notifications You can unsubscribe at http://networks.comminit.com/notifications/unsubscribe/subscription/258392?timestamp=1367633028&signature=a0fd2bff8c69cc7244d8af90bc3b1bde View original post: http://networks.comminit.com/mailcomment/redirect/%3C23952.88087.17384.1367622120.049d132f583651b7b66a912d97bbbf77%40comminit.com%3E

Read more http://networks.comminit.com/node/88087#comment-19276

-- This is an automatic message from Development Networks To manage your subscriptions, browse to http://networks.comminit.com/user/2903/notifications You can unsubscribe at http://networks.comminit.com/notifications/unsubscribe/subscription/257570?timestamp=1380557677&signature=10591ecd5ac72dc6749b33a8a93741f4 View original post: http://networks.comminit.com/mailcomment/redirect/%3C2903.88087.19276.1380456120.d372f48d8186ed74970090a6ca0bbf3a%40comminit.com%3E

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