Dear members of AIDS ASIA,

Invitation,

e_Consultation on Asian AIDS Commission Report: "Redefining AIDS in
Asia – Crafting an effective response", (2008, June 30th to September
30th)

On behalf of the UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Asia and the
Pacific, AIDS ASIA eFORUM is hosting an e_Consultation on Asian AIDS
Commission Report: "Redefining AIDS in Asia – Crafting an effective
response".

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AIDS_ASIA/

You are invited to take part in this e_Consultation.

An independent Commission on AIDS in Asia was established in June
2006 with support from UNAIDS to review the HIV situation in Asia
from a wide socioeconomic perspective reaching beyond the public
health context. The commission was Chaired by Dr. Chakravarthi
Rangarajan, who is the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to
the Prime Minister of India

Over an 18-month period, through its review and consultations with a
broad range of stakeholders, the Commission has produced a set of
findings and recommendations. The Commission report,
entitled "Redefining AIDS in Asia – Crafting an effective response",
was presented to the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on
26 March 2008 in New York.

According to the Commission report, to address concentrated epidemics
requires leadership to overcome the social drivers behind the
epidemic. These include structural and social factors, such as
criminalization and marginalization of certain groups, human rights
violations and discrimination. Failing to address these constitutes a
major barrier to an effective national response. Many of the
recommendations of the commission have far reaching implications. For
instance the commission recommends the need for civil society
adopting the NGO code of conduct and a AIDS Watch is being created in
each countries by the civil society.

Broader themes for discussion.

The following broader themes will be presented for discussion. Sub
themes under the broader themes will be developed in consultation
with a selected group "resource persons".


1) Redefining the epidemic, and why Asia HIV epidemic is unique. The
Report argues that the "standard classification of `low-
level', `concentrated' or `generalised' based on the HIV prevalence
in pregnant women does not capture the actual nature and dynamics of
Asia's epidemics." The Commission on AIDS in Asia instead proposes
four epidemic scenarios for Asia : latent, expanding, mature, and
declining (pages 53-54, table 2.1; pages 65-70) and links a proposed
package of prevention interventions with the most impact for each
scenario. How can one take this finding forward in your country and
how might one advocate for how government should invest their
resources?

2) Decriminalization. How best can we review, remove or relax
legislation which harass sex workers, drug users, MSM and the service
providers who assist them? What do you think of the suggestion from
page are some lessons learnt from the region?

3) Accountability. How can we promote accountability by government,
donors/international community and the NGOs/community organizations?
Suggest practical AIDS watch mechanisms which can ensure follow-up to
internationally or regionally agreed frameworks for scaling up access
to prevention and treatment?

4) Increasing domestic funding. The Report stated that "as available
resources for funding HIV programmes have increased, the percentage
of total HIV expenditure funded out of national budgets has decreased
in the 14 surveyed countries – from 60 percent in 1996 to 40 percent
in 2004 (page 136). How does one make the case for increasing
domestic resources for AIDS in the Asia region?

5) Country and regional follow up. Discuss follow up country and
regional level needed to take forward the recommendations of the
Commission on AIDS in Asia . Country advocates could share their
plans and describe support needed.

Ideally, each theme will be open for discussion for two weeks.
However, considering the time limitation, one my choose to comment
on any or all of these issues. The moderator may use his discretion
to post the message according to each theme.

A free electronic version of the report is available form the
following url

http://data.unaids.org/pub/Report/2008/20080326_report_commission_aids_en.pdf

The consultation will be open from June 30th to September 30th. At
the end of the consultation a detailed report of the out come of the
consultation with the list of participants will be submitted to the
UNAIDS regional office.

PLEASE SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO <joe_thomas123@...> or post
directly on the FORUM by visiting the following url

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AIDS_ASIA/

For further details of this consultation please contact the
facilitator of the consultation Dr. Joe Thomas by e-mail:
joe_thomas123@... or by Skype <joethomas123>

Thank you for your attention
Joe Thomas
AIDS ASIA e FORUM
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AIDS_ASIA/