Amadougalo - May 22, 2006

Good evening members. In my opinion what can be done to improve communication with and between developing contries to improve understanding of what the Global Fund is and how it works, and stimulate more active resource mobilization from these countries on behalf of the GF is that, Like is the case with the HARRP, resources should be made available for awareness creation at the grassrootlevel. The World Information Society should collaborate with the Global Fund and other development Partners and help build capacities and the IT industry in developing countries. The Digital divide in IT should be brigded now. All the National Aids Secretariats should be provided with more resources for them to fund viable NGOs, CBOs and Civil Society Organisation for massive awareness creation on the GF. The GF should also work closely with CSO and groups of target beneficiary in order to capture their imputs in to planning, implementation and evaluation proceesses of interventions earmarked for them. This will help bring our the sense of ownership for sustainability while at the same time cutting the unnecessary administrative cost and bureacracy. The mass media especially the community radios should be supported with equipment and human resourse development because they could play a crucial role in the communication process. But in countries with poor connectivity, drama groups,traditional communicators and musicians could be a vital alternative to involve in the communication process to reach out the targeted audiences.
To summarise, I think with more resoucres and genuine partnership between governments, The GF and other stakeholders including the private sector, the communication process with and developing countries the aims of the GF will be achieved.
Also, I think a fully equiped IEC unit and a component to strengthen Health care delivery systems should also be established under the GF.

Thank you.

Amadou Bah