• "Fast for Life" to reflect on consumption
• Consultation to strengthen ecumenical advocacy for food justice
• FECCIWA launches food security and poverty reduction campaign
• Brazilian Congress approves incorporation of the Right to Food into national constitution
• Focus on: HEKS/EPER
• Strengthening food security by empowering farmers to contribute to seed biodiversity
• Norwegian Church Aid launches report on the Yara and fertilizer industry in Malawi
• Cases on land and the right to food
• EAA Facebook

The bulletin can be found here

• Ensure that that people living with HIV receive treatment.
• Support HIV prevention, treatment, and care programmes for people who use drugs.
• Remove punitive policies and laws, stigma, and discrimination that block effective AIDS responses and marginalise key populations (men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers, and prisoners).
• Stop violence against women and girls and promote gender equality.
• Enhance social support for those affected by HIV, including orphans and vulnerable children.
  

For more information please visit the website: www.redribbonaward.org

Please help support the work of community organizations by letting your networks and colleagues know about the award!

Did you know that the number of people living in the world today suffering from HIV alone has exceeded the 2007 markers of 33.2 million adults and 2.5 million children? The HIV pandemic “is exceptional because there is no plateau in sight, exceptional because of the severity and longevity of its impact, and exceptional because of the special challenges it poses to effective public action,” so explained Dr. Peter Piot, executive director of UNAIDS.

Already, the Church, through no less than Pope Benedict XVI, appealed for solidarity with those living with HIV and other infectious diseases: “How can we forget the many people with infectious illnesses forced into segregation, and sometimes marked by a humiliating stigma? The seriousness of these lamentable situations is highlighted by the disparity of social and economic conditions between the North and South of the world. Such situations must be answered with concrete initiatives that favor proximity to the sick, enliven the evangelization of culture, and inspire the social and economic policies of governments.”

After all, did you know that the Catholic Church is one of the biggest health providers worldwide? According to Caritas Internationalist, the Church runs 5,246 hospitals, 17,530 dispensaries, 577 leprosy clinics, 15,208 houses for the elderly, chronically ill and people with physical and learning disabilities globally and, in fact, Catholic Church agencies such as Caritas provide a quarter of all HIV care in the worst-hit continent of Africa.

The Holy Father’s appeal is also wise counsel that Caritas Internationalist has translated systematically, into a road map for action to counter the HIV pandemic, spanning 2003 to 2011. For the period 2007-2011, the Caritas focus includes three key moves. First, commitment to increase opportunities for information and experience exchange among Catholic organizations active in HIV services on local, national, regional and global levels. Second, pursuit of capacity-building and funding opportunities extended through the United Nations and other international agencies. Third, intensification of relationships with ecumenical, interfaith and other civil-society organizations responding to the pandemic.

As reported to the United Nations, the Caritas response to HIV “is grounded in the traditional teaching of the Catholic Church which mandates the Catholic faithful and Church-related institutions and agencies to read the signs of the times in order to accompany the most vulnerable and marginalized persons found in contemporary society. This doctrinal foundation has inspired and facilitated the Caritas’ ability to develop creative HIV programming, which remain faithful to the Church’s magisterium. Such programs have been enhanced through partnerships with a wide range of Catholic, other faith-based, and nongovernmental organizations, as well as with governmental and intergovernmental structures.”

Like many Caritas organizations in 107 countries, Caritas Manila and its volunteers from the health professions have been working together since 1987 to deliver the ABCDE of evangelizing and healing action to respond to the HIV health crisis: A for accessible accurate information; B for buildup of sustained, effective response on the ground; C for Caritas care (of course) that is grounded in highest form of professional health care and the teachings of the Catholic Church; D for discouraging stigma by encouraging compassion; and E for evangelization.

Caritas Internationalis HIV and AIDS specialist Rev. Msgr. Robert Vitillo has said, “the most objectionable and sinful form of discrimination occurs under the guise of religious denunciation of people affected by HIV and AIDS. Both the doctrine and tradition of the Churches have been built upon Jesus’ preaching, His sacrifice on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead. These salvific experiences should guide us to a selfless and nonjudgmental acceptance of all human family, and most especially, of the most vulnerable and marginalized in society. As Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, “a person living with HIV/AIDS is Jesus among us. How can we say ‘no’ to Him?”

Announcement: On February 11, World Day of the Sick, Radio Veritas is cosponsoring the Healing Explosion and Concert with Rev Fr. Fernando Suarez and other healing priests at the Cuneta Astrodome. Free admission, first come, first served: Contact Radio Veritas or Caritas Manila for details.

For comments/feedback: e-mail: caritas_manila @ yahoo.com; for donations to Caritas Manila: 563-9311; and for inquiries: 563-9308 and 563-9298;  Fax:  563-9306.

Over 60 high level religious leaders, people living with HIV, and global leaders
will gather in The Netherlands, 22-23 March, for a summit that aims to
strengthen religious leadership in the response to HIV.
Invitations were made based on nominations from religious and partner organizations,
with careful attention to criteria set by the steering committee
and ensuring religious diversity, geographical balance and gender representation.
Among the participants are His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Art of
Living Foundation; His Holiness Tep Vong, the Great Supreme Patriarch of
Cambodia; His Holiness Abune Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox
Church; Archbishop John Onaiyekan, Archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria; The
Most Reverend Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town; Rabbi David
Rosen, American Jewish Committee; Sheik Mohammed Gemea, Al Azhar
University; Rev. Dr. Olav Fyske Tveit, General Secretary, World Counci of
Churches; Ms Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, General Secretary, World YWCA;
and Mr. Michel Sidibé, Executive Director, UNAIDS.
The Summit aims to promote understanding among high level religious
leaders on the need for visible and affirmative engagement on HIV and AIDS
and to mobilize their support for advocacy and action.
The Summit is being planned by an Interfaith Steering Committee convened
by the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance who is helping to coordinate the project
along with Cordaid in The Netherlands. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign
Affairs is an important contributor and supporter of the Summit. UNAIDS,
INERELA+ and the World AIDS Campaign are collaborating partners represented
on the steering committee.Financial Support is being provided by the Dutch and Swedish governments, European
Council of Religious Leaders (WCRP), Cordaid, ICCO and Kerk in Actie,
Prisma, AIDS Fonds, UNAIDS, World Vision International, American Jewish World
Service, Marion and Stanley Bergman, and the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance.
For more information on the Summit, www.e-alliance.ch/en/s/hivaids/
summit-of-high-level-religious-leaders/

Multi-Faith Pre-Conference to the International AIDS Conference

A one-day multi-faith pre-conference will be held on 17 July 2010 at Technical
University in Vienna. The pre-conference is designed to engage faithbased
participants of the IAC in networking, skills building, and exploration
of challenges posed by the HIV pandemic.
A Global Multi-Faith Working Group is planning the event. Registration for
the Multi-Faith Pre-Conference is 75.00 Euros, and includes lunch and coffee/
tea breaks. More information about the pre-conference and a link to registration
will soon be available at:
www.e-alliance.ch/en/s/hivaids/iac2010/multi-faith-pre-conference/
As in past International AIDS Conferences, blocks of hotel rooms have been reserved
for faith-based participants in a range of prices, and will be available soon
on a first come, first served basis. For more information, or to reserve a room,
visit: www.e-alliance.ch/en/s/hivaids/iac2010/local-arrangements/
Important Deadlines for AIDS 2010
As a reminder, the deadline for abstract submissions, skills building workshops,
and scholarship applications is 10 February. Additionally, a late registration
surcharge will be added after 24 February, so be sure to register early
if you are planning to attend the International AIDS Conference.
For more information about registering, submitting an abstract or scholarship
application, discount flight bookings, and visa requirements for Austria
visit: www.aids2010.org

Update on Resource Mobilization for the Global Fund

Replenishment for the Global Fund will be sought again in 2010. The first
meeting in this replenishment round will be held in The Netherlands, 24-26
March. The pledging meeting is scheduled for October 4-5, 2010 at the United
Nations Headquarters in New York, where donors will announce their
contributions for 2011-2013. It is important that the Global Fund remains
on the agenda of all donors.
Currently there is no money available to fund new programs in 2010, which is
unique in the Global Fund history since it has always been able to fund at least
one round of proposals per year. 2010 will be a pivotal year to finance the final stretch of the effort to reach the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs) and it is the Universal Access target year.
What you can do: Advocates in northern countries can put
pressure on their governments to participate in the replenishment
process and increase their support of the Global
Fund. Tell them that resources made available through the
Global Fund have achieved impressive results and dramatic
improvements in global health. Southern advocacy partners
can provide a voice highlighting the benefits of the Global
Fund on supporting progress towards the MDGs in their
country and the need to continue this funding.
More information on targeted advocacy campaigning for 2010
leading up to the replenishment meeting will be available in
future bulletins and action alerts. If you haven’t done so already,
you can also sign on to the Declaration of the Global
Campaign for Currency Transaction Levy for Health. More information
is available at:
www.e-alliance.ch/en/s/news/single/article/2009/09/21/
support-a-currency-transaction-levy-for-health/

Focus on: Solidarité Protestante

Highlighting our strength as an alliance of members all
over the world, each bulletin will feature campaign actions
from a different member of the EAA.
Solidarité Protestante is a small non-profit Belgian development
and assistance organization based in Brussels. Seven staff
implement medical, social and emergency response programs
in Sub-Saharan Africa – Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic
of Congo, Burkina Faso and Guinea – through partnerships
with church-related and other organizations. They also are very
active in raising awareness among church and youth groups in
Belgium about the realities facing people living in Africa. Their
medical programmes focus on HIV and AIDS, leprosy and TB.
Johan Maertens spoke to the EAA about one of their recent successful
campaigns focusing on AIDS medicines.
What recent actions have you engaged in related
to the Live the Promise campaign?
During the run up to World AIDS Day in 2009, we organized
Protestant churches and groups to support the ‘Make it Happen
Campaign’ of Médecins Sans Frontières. The goal was
to help realize the creation of the UNITAID Patent Pool for
AIDS medicines. We designed a petition calling upon nine
major pharmaceutical companies to support the creation of
the Patent Pool in order to offer greater access to ARVs and
affordable treatments.
We were greatly inspired by the Children’s Letter Writing
Campaign of the EAA. So we included in our petition a demand
for new antiretroviral drugs adapted for the needs of
children and newborn infants. The petition was distributed
in local churches while church youth undertook a ‘Street
Action’ on World AIDS Day in Brussels. There people were
invited to sign a petition card submit it to designated red
postal box. Over 1000 signatures were collected through
both actions, which is a great response for us.
Along with the petition, we also developed an ‘ARVs Game’
with the aim to raise awareness of the problem of access to
ARVs. One hundred seventy games were distributed in the
churches. The games continue to be played today. They are
an excellent way to engage and to make youth sensitive to
the struggle against HIV and AIDS.
What impact did this campaign have?
On 14 December 2009, the UNITAID Board announced the
creation of the Patent Pool for AIDS medicines. Through
the MSF ‘Make it Happen Campaign’, 300,000 e-mails and
letters were sent to CEOs and leaders in the pharmaceutical
industry. The mass mobilization and support certainly
played an important role in the decision to create the Patent
Pool. In addition, the campaign offered the opportunity
for people to feel more engaged in the fight against AIDS.
Through the petition, they could do something.
If other organizations wanted to have a similar action,
what advice would you give?
Develop easy-access tools such as postcards or games. We find it
difficult to motivate people to write letters and therefore we preferred
promoting a petition. Activities should be short, a 5 minute
message or a 15 minute activity is sufficient and effective.
For more information see:
Solidarité Protestante : www.solidariteprotestante.be/
The ARV Game (in French): www.e-alliance.ch/fr/s/hivaids/accessmeds/

Patent Pools

For some years now groups working to address the situation
of persons living with HIV and AIDS, shareholders
and health care staff have been calling for affordable, accessible
and child-friendly pharmaceuticals for persons living
with HIV to be available in resource poor countries.
The response has ranged from charitable donations to the
registration of drugs and the availability of generic formulations.
Recently the Executive Board of UNITAID, a group
committed to scaling up access to HIV and AIDS medicines
in developing countries, has endorsed a voluntary “patent
pool” for medicines which will focus on increasing access to
newer antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and encouraging the development
of adapted formulations.
This concept is a new business model which would allow
companies to voluntarily place those patents on drugs used
in the US and European countries into a pool for generic
manufacturers to produce the newer ARVs. Much still needs
to be worked out for the pool to be a success. Some of these
issues include:

Governance - who will control and monitor the
pool and what will the term of this license to produce
the drug be?
Quality control - who will assure quality of the
formulations produced?
Geographic scope - will the less poor developing
countries be included?
Breadth - should the pool accept all patents or
only those relevant to the mission of the pool.

There is also discussion about incentives for pharmaceutical
companies to participate in the pool. Will there be a reward
for innovators who place their patents into a pool?
The EAA’s HIV and AIDS Strategy Group and Pharma working
group will continue to monitor developments related to
this proposal.

Boehringer Ingelheim responds to children’s letters

In early November, as part of the EAA’s Prescription for Life
campaign, copies of letters from children around the world
were sent to GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Abbott, Bristol Meyers
Squibb, and Boehringer Ingelheim. On 24 November, the
EAA received a reply from Boehringer Ingelheim.
“We were impressed by the attached letters from Africans and
Europeans alike expressing their compassion in an emotional
manner, but also indicating interest and understanding in
the pandemic…Let me assure you, that our company shares
this concern and since years is reacting to the crisis in various
ways,” the letter stated. “So far, more than 1.85 million
mother/child pairs have benefited from the [VIRAMUNE Donation]
programme in 170 projects in 60 countries in Africa,
Asia, Latin America and Central/Eastern Europe.”

Boehringer Ingelheim encourages people to visit their
websites www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/wecare and
www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/hiv for more information. The
EAA’s Pharma Working Group is planning a follow-up meeting with
BI during the 2010 International AIDS Conference in Vienna.

Exhibit available on Children and HIVFor the past year, children around the world have been writingletters to governments and pharmaceutical companies encouragingthem to develop and make accessible appropriatetesting and treatment for infants and children living with HIV.An exhibit of nine panels features the letters of children, expresseswhat needs to be done, and encourages each of us tomake a difference. The panels have been displayed in the USat the United Nations Headquarters, Catholic Relief Services,and Union Theological Seminary.The exhibit is available for display at other organizations andevents. To view the panels, see: http://www.e-alliance.ch/en/s/hivaids/accountability/prescription-for-life-help-children-living-with-hiv/.
Contact Sara Speicher at sspeicher@e-alliance

"Churches have an unparalleled capacity for effective advocacy," Prove stated. "I am committed to deepening the impact that church-based advocacy has on the lives of people experiencing exclusion and injustice around the world."

Peter Prove has served as Assistant to the General Secretary for International Affairs and Human Rights in The Lutheran World Federation, Geneva, Switzerland, since 1997.  A lawyer by profession, he holds a Masters of Law from the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, with combined focuses on international trade law and international human rights law.  He was a member of the EAA Strategy Group on Global Trade for the duration of the trade campaign, which helped to establish the human rights focus of the current 'Food for Life' campaign. He also represented the EAA on the United Nations' International Task Team on HIV-related travel restrictions. He has extensive experience with UN human rights and economic policy forums, and in formulating and implementing strategic advocacy. He is a member of the Lutheran Church of Australia.

"Peter has impressed us deeply by his extensive knowledge, his broad experience in advocacy and practical solidarity, and his expertise in international forums and negotiations," said EAA Board Chair Rev. Dr. Richard Fee, General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. "His own faith, and his belief in the churches' prophetic role to work for justice and human dignity, will contribute to a stronger and even more effective Alliance."

The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance is a broad international network of churches and Christian organizations committed to campaigning together on common concerns. Current campaigns focus on food and on HIV and AIDS. Alliance members, coming from Catholic, Protestant and Evangelical traditions, represent tens of millions of Christians around the world.

Jenny Borden, who is currently serving as Interim Executive Director, will continue in that position until Prove takes up his new post.

Further biographical information on Peter N. Prove: http://www.e-alliance.ch/index.php?id=405

For more information contact Sara Speicher, +44 7821 860 723 (mobile), sspeicher@e-alliance.ch

• Represent the perspectives of Developing Country NGOs on the GFATM Board in a strategic and consultative manner.
• Inform and positively influence the governance processes of the Global Fund to better integrate non-governmental and community-based efforts to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria into national and international responses.
  

A Board member, along with an alternate Board member and a Communications Focal Point, leads the delegation.  In addition to these three, seven other delegates attend board meetings, based on individual disease expertise, regional and gender representation/balance, and the demands of the board meeting agenda. These seven are chosen from a larger delegation group, to which nominations are now being invited. A full delegation would eventually number about 40 people globally.

The CLOSING DATE for nominations is January 30, 2010. It will not be possible to consider applications received past this date.

Please send all applications with all required documents as detailed below to: gfngoapplication@gmail.com

 <mailto:gfngoapplication@who-needs-spam.gmail.comThe> The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance will write letters of support for 1 or 2 strong applications. If you would like to be considered, please send a copy of your application materials to Becky Johnson at bjohnson@e-alliance.ch no later than January 23, 2010.

How to submit a nomination

Nominated individuals to the Global Fund Board delegation need to prepare and submit a 4-page application (only the first 4 pages in the application will be considered) that covers the following:

• Name, contact information, age, organizational affiliation and communities served, short Curriculum Vitae (CV) outlining experience (maximum 2 pages)
• Short Narrative outlining your understanding of the Fund and vision for its future, your NGO and community linkages in terms of relevant experience (particularly in southern and developing countries), and the most significant capabilities you would bring to the Global Board that address the specified criteria. (maximum 2 pages)
  

Attached to the 4-page application will be:

• 1 page letter of reference from your own organization, or closest affiliated organization, agreeing to the additional travel and workload
• 1 page letter of reference from a relevant organization other than your own
• 1 page letter of support from a regional network/NGO outside country of residence
  

Faith-based representatives are encouraged to apply. Please note that even if you submit your application to the EAA for consideration of a letter of support, you are still responsible for submitting your completed application to gfngoapplication@gmail.com by the January 30, 2010 deadline. Terms of Reference

As part of a rolling replenishment mechanism, this call for nominations seeks to fill in the vacant positions of regional representatives. The delegation has a maximum of 10 representatives each from Africa, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Latin America & the Caribbean and Asia / Pacific to total 40.

The role of the Delegation member is to support the Board member and the alternate Board member on issues related to the Global Fund and to bring to the Board, through the Board member, concerns and voices of the civil society community from developing countries worldwide.

The role of the Delegation member is that of a volunteer - there is no payment for participating.  Travel and per diem costs to attend Board meetings and other committee meetings are covered by funds raised by the Delegation leadership and there is no guarantee of attendance at all Board meetings or attendance of all the delegation members at all meetings. Travel will be economy class and will be based on funding available.

Being involved with the Global Fund Board delegation can demand between 10% and 25% of a full-time equivalent, and this requires an explicit written commitment from the prospective delegation member's organization.

(A) Board Functions

The Delegation members will support the Board member to perform the following functions:

1. Set policies and strategies for the Fund, in line with the agreed Purpose, Principles and Scope.
2. Set operational guidelines, work plans and budgets for the Secretariat and Technical
3. Policy and Program Support.
4. Make funding decisions.
5. Establish a framework for monitoring and periodic independent evaluation of performance and financial accountability of activities supported by the Fund.
6. Represent the views of the various constituencies.
7. Represent and voice the needs of developing country NGOs.
8. Coordinate with outside agencies.
9. Advocate for the Fund, and mobilize resources.
10. Participate on committees and working groups of the Board.
    

The delegation members will:

1. Help to achieve greater and more effective Global Fund impact in the Developing Country NGOs' Duties (during and in-between Board meetings)
2. Attend GF Board and regional meetings and help secure funding to attend the same
3. Be a watchdog of GF operations at country level
4. Participate in Developing Country NGOs and Board working groups
5. Advocate and mobilize resources for the Fund.
6. Develop strategic alliances with partners in the delegate's country and region and at Board level
7. Be a conduit and liaise with NGOs and communities at country and regional level
8. Participate in monitoring and periodic evaluation of performance of GF
9. Fully prepare for GF Board meetings including reading, summarizing and preparing Board pre-meeting documents, attending 1-2 day Board pre-meetings, and follow up after Board meeting
10. Respond promptly to issues as arise between Board meetings
11. Stay up to date on technical and policy issues related to the 3 diseases and their impact on NGOs.
12. Consult communication focal points and others in country, in region or sub-region
13. Maintain close communication with the Delegation's Board member, Alternate, Communication Focal Point and other delegation members through regular email messages and phone calls between the Board meetings
14. Disseminate information on Global Fund in line with the Developing countries NGOs ' Delegation's internal/external communications strategy
    

(B)  Mandate and working methods for delegation members.

• Participate in teleconferences and other virtual means of communications among Board members, the NGO community, networks and with the other NGO Board members;
• Participate fully in all meetings of the Board (study all relevant documents in order to provide input in the decision-making process);
• Advocate for the participation of community representatives in the design, implementation and evaluation of all policies and programs at all levels of the Fund;
• Provide input into equitable and appropriate allocation of resources;
• Maintain a focus on issues of importance to the community and NGO movements (e.g. Document highlighting NGO input to the Fund);
• Seek input from the community on key issues related to relevant documents;
• Consult with and report to the broader community of NGOs and CBOs and people and communities living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis before and after Board meetings;
• Appoint NGO delegation advisors
  

(C)  Qualifications and criteria for selection

Based on the Board functions, including representing the various constituencies (developed and developing country contexts, and from people living with a disease), the selection of the Delegation members should take the following criteria into consideration:

• Possess an understanding of the scope of work of the Global Fund and opportunities it presents;
• Ability to strengthen the Board's understanding of NGO/CBO and civil society issues in Developing Countries;
• Experience and ability to assume responsibility to carry out the tasks as described in the role of the Board;
• Represent issues related to NGO involvement in HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria;
• Have minimum 5 years of experience in front-line NGO work in 1 or more of the 3 disease areas, preferably with governance processes in their own organizations;
• Ability and capacity to communicate and network effectively and broadly (must have functioning communications linkages such as Internet, telephone, fax, computer and email);
• Ability to act within a team setting;
• Be gender sensitive;  
• Possess diplomatic and strategic political skills including capacity to think and work strategically;
• Must demonstrate ability to work in written and spoken English (additional languages are greatly desired);
• Linkage to an organization that can facilitate communication and liaison and provide consultation and support;
• Explicit assurance from employer regarding availability of up to 25% of working time for Global Fund related duties.
• Current delegation members are free to apply.
  

(D)  Length of term

The length of terms for the newly selected Developing Country NGOs Delegation Members is for 2 years and is renewable once, based on an assessment process convened by the Board member and alternate.

(E)  Cessation of Appointment

An NGO Delegation Board member will cease to be a Member if:

• He/she resigns
• He/she is unable to perform the agreed upon tasks;
• He/she is unable to work with the other Delegation Members as part of a team; and,
• If a conflict of interest is declared.