Edwin Wanyonyi - May 22, 2006

Global Fund has mainly worked through government machinery. In this case the principal recipients are normaly the Ministry of Finance in the respective countries. However, this at times is misconstrued to mean this is a government affair.

Their is need for clear demacation and understanding that Global Fund is not purely a government affair as it also involves other stakeholders.

Edwin Wanyonyi
Resource Mobilisation Specialist
Kenya

Sammi Fredenburg - May 20, 2006

May i comment here on this subject again please?

i've been like a proud parent all week long watching Bono and Dr. Feachem and the other delegates on the ground in africa. Reuters, ONE, and (red) have blog pages and it can sometimes be like playing "Where's Waldo" on the internet and news stations and periodicals to find other coverage of this delegation, but i'm gifted with newsbites a couple of times a day.

yes, there will always be room for improvement, and yes, surely there are concerns, and yes, any highly successful endeavor certainly of this magnitude is going to plus/delta their results with priority on the delta list that needs to be done, but. . . . .

the reports out of the delegation this week are extremely encouraging and fantastic! The Global Fund is making massive progress and scores of lives are being saved and improved and there is a bright future for the Fund and for these noble african people. There is NOTHING like the communication from our delegates who are there, cameras and media and people and fans showering them with attention, affection, blogs by the campaigns - these are all loud and bright megaphones up there with the likes of UK's The Independence editorship Bono did for that newspaper last week for the (red) campaign (50% of proceeds went to this Global Fund). Bono in one article shared that he and other artists and movie stars were being hailed as heroes for africa, whereas no, actually the nurses and workers there for the people are the real heroes. maybe so. but Bono has the affluence and influence to attract the cameras to himself unpretentiously and then defers the attention to show the real heroes, and by their sides the real needs. In this context, this is a great communication and sharing of information among the regions and to the Fund representatives firsthand and immediately.

surely delegations the likes and concentration as this (Bono, Dr. Feachem, Bobby Shriver, ONE delegate, DATA delegate, EDUN delegate, plus media and others) may not be able to get together to tour the luminous continent publicly like this often, but when they do, it can promote and clarify news and procedures and needs both among the regions and from these regions to the rest of us in the world.

in this context, and in answer to this weeks discussion, this delegation is priceless!

thanx, stay close,
sammi
_________________
"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

May 18, 2006

Message by Ashish Srivastava

Though various alternative media are available for mass & group approaches in Asian & other developing countries. Audio visual aids e.g. visual aids (leaflets, posters, models) may be useful in improvement of communication. Audio-visual aids should be included with knowledge of advantage & disadvantages, prevention strategies, support services & treatment.

Indigenous media can play an important role in mass communication. Participation with governmental, public & private sector's information system could be useful in addressing an important communication development issue.

Integration of Global Fund at indigenous level in developing countries can improve communication within countries. Issue office, counseling centers, integration with broadcasting offices can improve understanding of Global Fund & its working to general public in developing countries. Above integration could be suitable in those developing countries where Global Fund country offices are not available.

Practices of health education/ communication can be clearly defined by Auditory Aids & visual aids where infrastructure, internet, networking, telecommunication are not available. In developing countries (AFRICAN & RURAL ASIA) Global Fund should be focused more on mass approaches, group approaches, individual approaches.

May 18, 2006

Message from David Omorebokhae

The GF should do the following in different countries:
1. Buy into Local Radio/TV Programmes
2. Buy into Local Newspapers
3. Engage Communications Expert to help design messages for Communities that may not have access to the three media above: In the case of Nigeria and other developing countries, explore ORAMEDIA, by so doing towncriers and community opinion leaders will be reached effectively and the entire communities.

4. Partner with FBOs in various countries to help pass GF messages in the Churches and Mosque as the case may be.

5.Print Newsletters of just two pages (back and front) using Local languages, partner with Local Newspapers organisation with effective distribution and place free copies inside such Newspapers- you will be
surprise at the reach-Negotiate a free delivery.

6. Use SMS by partnering with GSM Companies to send GF messages once every week to all subcribers in developing countries.

7. You dont need to have country offices, outsource experts to anchor these Communications in the various countries where you work.

Keep up your good and transparent work to save humanity.

Omorebokhae Onomoase David
Advocacy Manager
Christian Health Association of Nigeria

Esther Odubajo-Oni - May 18, 2006

Global Fund should have offices in the developing countries. The advantages are many

1. Such offices will assist the Fund to decentralise some of its functions and the heavy workload it has at the moment.
2. It will help improve communication between the Fund and such countries with improved email and vast telephone network.
3. It will assist the Fund to have clearer pictures of what is actually happening locally through its officers present on the ground.
4. Moreover, it is always the best way to promote effective and efficient information about Global fund activities and sponsored programmes.

Esther Odubajo-Oni
Neovenator Community Organisation,
London, (UK) and Axim, Ghana

plchan - May 18, 2006

While there are advantages of country office and thecritical role of communication, every effort should be used to avoid adding any bureaucracy to a an already very complex process. Websites are good but not very responsive and not always accessible.

I suggest using existing lines of communications but appointing focal persons within the country to communicate 1) with central GF, 2) key persons in the country. Likely there will be a number of focal persons specified 1) applications (explaining process and answering questions), 2) protocol for implementation, 3) issues of oversight and fiscal responsibility. Because of the current system this third person should be within the government.

It should be clear to all what the responsibilities of these people are and they should use the lines of communication that are most appropriate within their country - most useful is to use existing structures.
_________________
Penny Chan
CANADA

Esther Odubajo-Oni - May 17, 2006

The Global Fund can work more effectively and efficiently in developing countries if it opens offices in such countries. The benefits are many:

1. Global Fund's presence will give it the opportunity to know what local needs really are.
2. Global Fund will be able to monitor effectively its funded projects and acsertain the level of work being done and results.
3. The Fund will also be in position to decentralise much of the heavy workload it has at its headquarters at the moment.
4. Opening up of offices in the countries will facilitate easy communication between the communities and the Fund's headquarters.
5. Such communities will be able to really understand what the Global Fund stand for and what work it is doing everywhere.

It is my opinion that the opening of offices in developing countries will enahce the effectiveness and efficiency of Global Funds services.

Esther Odubajo-Oni
Public Health Specialist
Neovenator Community Organisation, London/Ghana Axim HIV Prevention Project

ogenkemakolam - Wed May 17, 2006

Given that most developing countries in africa do not have good and effective mobilization and information systems,these countries in africa rely on local means of diseminating information which most times are not far reaching and cumbersome within each community and urban areas.
i am of the view that glogal fund should use NGOs/CBOS/FBOs that have effective mobilization and advocacy reach to the grassroots in the areas of communication so that the people can know more about global fund and its activities.i must tell you it is a small persentage of people in africa know about global fund let alone its activities.even 3/4 of the educated and enlightened people know about the funding systems of the global fund.people are more aware of the activities of united agencies like unicef,undp,who,world bank etc.
global fund should make it self more accessible and heard through NGOs and the local country media especially the once that are more common like the local radio broadcasts.70.5% of common people in africa listen to radio each day and almost 93.5% of africans do not have access to the internet.
Also the presence of an office of global fund in developing countries in africa will improve communication and responses to global fund activities.

from
Oge Nkemakolam
_________________
LETS HELP MAKE AFRICA FREE FROM DISEASES AND POVERTY ULTIMATELY SHOWING CONCERN FOR HUMANITY

drukverma - May 16, 2006

Certainly we have to communicate with the people, officials and country leaders of these countries in such a way that every piece of information is accepted and acted upon by them. This can be done with the help of electronic and print media, by making understand the people that what the Global Fund is intended to do, what has it done till now, what will it do in future and how can this affect there lives; by publicizing success stories.

Certainly this will give a topic for discussion among people; if any thing is debated in society it gains potential, popularity. Once the information demand is begun our work is half done.

If we involve people and officials of any country we can make a platform from where resource mobilization can be done.

Country offices are necessary to be estabblished.

Thank You.

Dr U K Verma
India
drukverma@hotmail.com
_________________
Dr U K Verma

drukverma - May 16, 2006

Certainly we have to communicate with the people, officials and country leaders of these countries in such a way that every piece of information is accepted and acted upon by them. This can be done with the help of electronic and print media, by making understand the people that what the Global Fund is intended to do, what has it done till now, what will it do in future and how can this affect there lives; by publicizing success stories.

Certainly this will give a topic for discussion among people; if any thing is debated in society it gains potential, popularity. Once the information demand is begun our work is half done.

If we involve people and officials of any country we can make a platform from where resource mobilization can be done.

Creation of country offices is very important.
_________________
Dr U K Verma

otienodavid - May 16, 2006

It can be possible if regional co-ordinators can be appointed in every region.

Hatar - May 16, 2006

The dilemma of the global fund is that it works with government agencies most of which are not themselves good at communicating what they do. Once they get the funds from the Fund, they rarely publicize what funds they got, and what they got the funds for. As such a new strategy of openness has to be devised, whereby all the funds and projects funded by the fund are publicised. That way the general public can ask questions. Otherwise the fund will remain top-heavy with its government agencies.
_________________
Dr. Augustin Hatar
Tanzania Media for Development Trust
P.O. Box 33921
Dar es Salaam
Tanzania
Tel + 255 741 266 410

Asfawesen Gebre-yohannes - May 16, 2006

Greetings from Ethiopia. This is the last opprtunity which I do not want to miss.
The GF is doing marvelous job in improving the grave situation of
AIDS, TB, and Malaria im many deveoping countries. However, its networking to desseminate information regarding what GF is and how it operates is very weak. Many research institutions and
Universities in African countries except those which are close to the MoH do lack a clear information about GF. They donot know how to access the GF to conduct operational research to solve problems related to HIV,TB or Malaria. Because of this gap in information, the government-private partenrship in delivering interventions againest HIV,TB, Malaria is stll very weak hampering the scaling up of access to ARV, antimalarias etc.
Private organizations do not know how to engage themselves to fight againest these diseases using GF donated to their countries. Therefore, GF
should have a mechanism to oblige or enforce recipient countries to formally motivate and involve ( NOT in the form of NEWS!) private institutions, universities, and etc at intervention level. In African countries where health service coverage is very low, where the workforce in the public sector is insufficent and nonefficient, the utilization of private sector would be the only means to scale up interventions againest these diseases using GF. This can be realized only when the private sector in African health system are empowerd through proper delivery of information on what GF is and how it operates in countries etc..

Thank You
_________________
Asfawesen
Malaria Program Officer
Center for National Health Development in Ethiopia
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia

ocosgrove - May 16, 2006

Internet
Web connectivity is a problem, but where available is an excellent medium. Therefore, we should look for a range of solutions and incorporate the web as one of those.

SMS Messaging
Many countries have good mobile phone access. SMS messaging is great if you are trying to connect with a mass audience. I develop software for the Sector that helps nonprofits and NGOs track the money they spend from donor to deed, introducing an improved level of transparency and accountability that makes organizations spend every dollar they get as wisely and efficiently as possible (www.cashtrail.net)

We are looking to work with providers to inform donors in non-profits of updates on how money has been spent. They would get an automatic text message telling them that their donation was spent on housing in Indonesia Tsunami relief operation. The technology is here, we simply need to apply it. Possible partners: Engenus in the US: www.engenus.com

Radio
The radio is also another medium - popular, successful. There could be a range of ways to work with it – sponsorship of programs, getting regular airtime to discuss what the global fund it up to. Good Public relations representatives in each country could provide press releases for regular broadcast.


Olivia
olivia@cashtrail.net[/b]
_________________
Olivia Cosgrove
www.cashtrail.net

ocosgrove - May 16, 2006

Web connectivity is a problem, but where available is an excellent medium

SMS messaging is great if you are trying to connect with a mass audience. I develop software for the Sector that helps nonprofits and NGOs track the money they spend from donor to deed, introducing an improved level of transparency and accountability that makes organizations spend every dollar they get as wisely and efficiently as possible (www.cashtrail.net)

We are looking to work with providers to inform donors in non-profits of updates on how money has been spent. They would get an outomatic text messsage telling them that their donation was spent on housing in Indonesia Tsunami relef operation. The technology is here, we simply need to apply it. Possible partners: Engenus in the US: www.engenus.com

The radio is also another medium - popular, successful

Olivia
olivia@cashtrail.net