Presentations and Key Messages - 8th APA Meetings and Workshop Series - Bangkok 2006
The 8th Annual APA Conference comprised a5 day series of meetings and workshops held in Bangkok at the Pathumwan Princess Hotel. Over the 5 days, different aspects of the conference theme "evidence-based advocacy: the catalyst for action" were developed by the various speakers invited to present experiences and results of effective advocacy from an evidence base.Other speakers took up the issues of how to acquire evidence, and how best to present it to achieve the greatest impact in the face of increasing opposition by governments; decreased funding levels; and lack of best practice by financial institutions.
Wednesday 15thNovember, 2006 APA Steering Committee Meeting
While for most attendees, the meeting and workshop series began on Thursday, for the APA Steering Commitee, the work began a day earlier. The minutes of the APA November 2006 Steering Committee Meeting can be viewed by clicking on this link here.
Thursday 16th November, 2006 Reproductive Health Supplies Workshop
The APA Series of Workshops and Meetings, began with the Reproductive Health Supplies Workshop Day. Facilitated by Jamie Uhrig,participants were guided through a series of presentations that enabled them to understand and assess the current situation of the Reproductive Health Supplies issues, and to actively think about ways in which projects and advocacy could be applied within their local contexts. Below is a summary of the presentations and the key messages that were conveyed to participants on the day.
Setting the scene on the reproductive health supplies issue: history and progress
Presenter: Terri Bartlett, Population Action International
Terri Bartlett spoke to participants about the importance of RH supplies and why we need to consider them as indicators of a countries overall Reproductive Health status. She spoke to the fact that the shortfalls in RH Suplies has been a long standing issue that is central to the sucess of any RH program and can be seen as an indicator of the function of any health system. She drew participants attention to the fact that the poorest countries, are highly dependent on donor assistance for RH supplies. To this end, organisations working in Reproductive and Sexual Health programs need to work on creating a supportive international political environment for improving access to reproductive health supplies by establishing global mechanisms for coordinating civil society messages, communications, advocacy, activities and reporting. Through international cooperation, organisations canbuild on lessons learnt within their own countries and regions,and the implementation of RH supplies programs globally can be based in best practice and with the appropriate allocation of resources. To view all of Terri's presentation, follow this link by clicking here.
Presentation of results of regional survey on current RH Supplies activitiesin Asia and the Pacific
Presenter: Myra Betron
Myra Betron was contracted by the Asia Pacific Alliance to identify local partnerson RH supplies by assessing the related knowledge, activities and commitments or interest in the issue. She presentedto participants the methodology that was used,the challenges that were facedand the results that were gained. The conclusions to be drawn from the Regional Surveywould beof significant importance to all organisations working in the Reproductive Health field, particularly in the Asian region. The survey identified that there is little knowledge or widely available data on the issue of RH supplies in Asia; that organisations are highly active in supporting reproductive health commodity security, but mostly in the provision of services and that there is a strong collective and regional desire to conduct advocacy on the issue of RH supplies. To view all of Myra's presentation and the results of the survey, follow this link by clicking here.
Experiences of promoting/advocating for contraceptives
Presenter: Patty Weisenfeld
Patty Weisenfeld addressed workshop participants and shared experiences of both advocacy for, and the promotion of, contraceptives. She identified that there is a particular need to advocate for dual protection methods and specifically for woman-initiated prevention methods and additionally, to advocate for the supply and provision of Emergency Contraception. Through her presentation she addressed issues that have been raised around the need for Supplies Advocacy, reiterated that Supply does not necessarily equalAccess, and summarised the role that advocacy campaigns need to play to be effective in achieving access to supplies. Patty went on to provide participants with valuable information about the Female Condom and the role that it can and should play in Reproductive Health. To view all of Patty's presentation, follow this link by clicking here.
Case study: Securing RH supplies in Indonesia
Presenter: Rachel Chua, ICOMP
Rachel Chua provided workshop participants with a case study of the experiences of ICOMP in Indonesia on the Reproductive Health/Family Planning Commodity Security project. Rachel presented on the process that ICOMP undertook to analyse and identify the issues around the provision of RH supplies and the ways in which they went on to address these issues. She spoke of the need, at a sub district and local community level, to "mobilise a community's resources to meet and manage their own contraceptive/RH needs". This process at a communtity level in poor areas required the achievement of two goals; firstly, the awareness of RH and reviving community structures for providing contraception, and secondly, the empowerment of the community and the generation of income. Her presentation identified examples of where this process had worked sucessfully. To view all of Rachel's presentation, follow this link by clicking here.
Friday 17th November, 2006 APA Annual Conference Day
Evidence Based Advocacy: Successful Action from Denmark
Presenter: Jacqueline Bryld, Danish Family Planning Association Denmark.
The conference was opened by speaker, Jacqueline Bryld of the Danish Family Planning Association, who spoke about theestablishment of a Danish parliamentarians group on sexual and reproductive health and the formulation of the Danish Government’s strategy on sexual and reproductive health. Jacqueline emphasised that timing of advocacy efforts was all important, as it was only in 2006 that enough evidence was provided to Danish parliamentarians for them to seize the momentum and consider the need for an all party group on sexual and reproductive health issues in Denmark. She also noted that the SRHR strategy of the government was an important document for all international advocacy efforts, as it contains strong language regarding human rights, access to safe abortion, and the need to strengthen linkages between SRHR and HIV/AIDS. To view all of Jacqueline's presentation, follow this link by clicking here.
What is the “Evidence” in Evidence-Based Advocacy? Acquiring the Evidence for Action
Presenter: Ronald Masayda, Advocacy & Campaign Coordinator, NGO Forum on ADB, ADB Regional Environment & Development Projects
Ronald Masayda from the NGO Forum on the ADB, began his presentation by clearly explaining the role of the organisation as being to facilitate the engagement of locally affected individuals and populations adversely impacted by the policies of the Asian Development Bank. He also explained to participants about why the NGO Forum has a need to exist and that the main body of their work is in challenging the Growth Oriented Development Model of the ADB and their centralised top-down development strategies.The Forumdoes this through working with impacted communities to advocate for their needs. To view all of Ronald's presentation, follow this link by clicking here.
Translating the Evidence : Faith based Advocacy on Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (Buddhism, Catholicism and Islam)
Presenter: Dr Sultan Ahmed, Coordinator, Advocacy and Educational Support to Adolescent Reproductive Health, UNESCO
"Knowledge is power but knowledge of sex is SUPER power!! ". This is just one of the messages that UNESCO's Sultan Ahmed conveys when he is working through Faith Based Advocacy on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health issues. In his presentation to the workshop participants, Dr Ahmed, spoke of the unique challenges when working with faith-based communities and even more so, within the area of Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health. His presentation gave participants an insight to the issues around : Denial - this doesn't happen to us; Silence - I know, but do we have to talk about it; Confusion - Is it a punishment from God; Rejection - stay away from us; Taboo - Is it is a sin to talk about sex and sexuality; Stigma - Sex Workers & IDU are to be blamed; Discrimination; Condoms are forbidden in our community. Dr Ahmed encouraged participants to think about and address these issues through their advocacy work but to always remember that in working with Faith-based Advocacy as a tool, the goals of the Advocacy must always be clear to the communities, or advocates run the risk of misleading people and abusingreligion. To view all of Sultan's presentation, follow this link by clicking here.
Advocacy In Action: Implementing Change through Communication Networks
Presenter: Tim France, Director, Health and Development Networks, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Tim France is the Director of HDNet and through his role, is well placed to talk to workshop participants on the implementation of change through communication networks. He spoke about the changes that can be implemented through the effective use of communication networks, including stronger advocacy and the influence on national and international agendas. Information and networks also provide greater accountability and transparency in advocacy work as multiple stakeholdes are involved, and this is essential for effective advocacy, decision-making and change. Tim encouraged participants through his presentation, to 'Be The Change', and provided them with the tools to do so. To view all of Tim's presentation, follow this link by clicking here.
Saturday 18th November, 2006 APA Annual Meeting
The 2006 Workshop and Meeting Series concluded with theAPA Annual Members Meeting, which includes both the development of the APA Adovcacy plan for 2007 - 2008 and the election of the Steering Committee for the same period. The minutes of this meeting can be viewed by clicking on this link here.
What is important to take from this document, was the particular thinking that was done by the meeting participants around the issues that are going to be developed over the next 12 - 18 months through the APA Advocacy plan. During the day, participants were asked to look at the draft Advocacy Plan and to think about it through the particular lenses of reflecting linkages between population and environment, development, reaching out to young people and on HIV and linkages with Sexual and Reproductive health.
After breaking up into 4 smaller groups, particpants rejoined the meeting and reported back on a number of innovative ways in which APA's advocacy plan can meet the challenges of the next couple of years.
Sunday 19th November, 2006 NGO/Parliamentarians Dialogue Training Workshop
A far smaller group of NGO representatives met on Sunday with Greg Grey to focus on the challenge of conveying meangningful messages to Parliamentarians and Decision Makers during the NGO / Parliamentarians Dialogue which was to be held the following day.
Greg went through a series of activities to get participants to think about the ways in which Parliamentarians would be engaged and called to act on the stories and messages that they would be hearing from NGO participants. This task was given greater focus through the participation of Steve Chadwick, an M.P. fromNew Zealand, who spoke to participants about the things that Parliamentarians needed to hear, to act.
The sucess of the workshop can be seen through the significant response from Parliamentarians who attended the workshop the following day. Read on....
Monday 20th November, 2006 NGO/Parliamentarians Dialogue
The head of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Ms Thoraya Obaid appealed for greater efforts to be made to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS during the dialogue session between parliamentarians and NGOs of the Asia and Pacific region.
The participants of the dialogue, organised by the Asia Pacific Alliance for the Implementation of ICPD (APA) in collaboration with AFPPD, were welcomed by Ms. Steve Chadwick, MP (New Zealand). Ms Chadwick emphasised the need for close cooperation between NGOs and parliamentarians, stating that NGOs can provide a platform for parliamentarians to spread their messages related to reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and the status of women.
Ms Thoraya Obaid continued the dialogue underlining that the priority issues in sexual and reproductive health are clear and women and children bear the brunt of this problem and it is essential to that services be extended and improved. “Everything must be approached with a focus on human rights and gender, and an understanding of the local cultural context,” she stressed.
Asia is an increasingly critical area, where last year alone there were nearly a million new cases of HIV, she told the parliamentarians and NGO representatives, whilst stressing that “With no cure in sight for AIDS, our first line of defence must remain HIV prevention.” That means pushing for increased and improved reproductive health services throughout the region – this is a basic health and human right she added. “Together we must work to increase public health budgets, development plans, poverty reduction strategies and health sector reforms,” she told the dialogue participants. This will not only save money but will save lives.
Now is the time to act she urged the parliamentarians and NGO activists at the meeting. “The alarm bell is ringing and it needs an immediate response,” she told the appreciative audience.
PARLIAMENTARIANS ARE AN IMPORTANT BRIDGE TO CHANGE
Face-to-face dialogue is crucial for affecting real change, the head of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Dr. Gill Greer told the NGOs and MPs at the APA dialogue. The NGOs have first hand knowledge of the problem and experience of providing services to the affected, while the parliamentarians are the bridge between the people and the government. Working together these two groups can educate the community, change public perceptions and initiate real policy change, she said.
In this age of statistics – one young person becomes infected with HIV every fourteen seconds– what is needed, is the personal stories behind these figures, she told the dialogue participants. “It is these stories which can change perspectives – and save lives,” Dr. Greer stressed.
The NGOs are delivering services and are immersed in their communities, but they must lift up their heads and get involved in the world at large, she urged. “They cannot remain on the edges of the system in which they are involved,” she reflected. “Their experience can help bridge the gap in both services and information,” she stressed.
NGOs have an important advocacy role in promoting better reproductive health services and preventing the spread of HIV. “They have a vision of a healthier and better community that could lead to a healthier and better world,” she said. “We can only have influence though if some one is listening; and, they have the power to implement change,” Dr. Greer warned.
“Advocacy can help change policy, legislation and funding, so what is, becomes what should be,” she said. What is needed is an instrument for change. The NGOs need to talk to the decision makers. There is a shared ground between parliamentarians and NGO activists – both are motivated by the desire to make a difference, she suggested.
“We need to have parliamentarians who champion the cause of sexual reproductive rights,” she urged. In the past few years there have been many who have taken up the cause and made a difference – with the example of Thailand’s Mr Condom, the former senator Meechai providing a charismatic model for others in the region to follow.
Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit, Secretary General of AFPPD, followed by explaining her own experiences of working with NGOs in Thailand, and asked the NGO representatives present to work closely with their elected representatives to achieve the goals of their organisations.
MOVING PERSONAL STORIES THE STRONGEST WEAPON FOR CHANGE
The parliamentary - NGO dialogue heard presentations from NGOs in Cambodia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Thailand on work being done in the areas of the prevention of mother and child transmissions, services for pregnant women, adolescent reproductive health and the prevention of HIV/AIDS. To view the presentations, click on the country name.
Parliamentarians felt that one of the most moving contributions was by two Thai HIV-positive women with their personal accounts of their experience and the need to tackle some of these issues directly. “Women who are HIV positive are also human beings and have the right to plan to have families,” one of the women said. To exercise these rights, quality counselling had to be provided for pregnant women who were HIV positive so that they make informed choices. This information needed to be provided at health-care centres.
The dialogue focused on peer group education for young people, and ensuring it was properly resourced, and the provision of voluntary counselling and testing in its final discussions. Stigma and discrimination needed to be addressed where it was occurring. The participants also suggested that legislation needed to be reviewed in connection with sex workers and the criminalisation of drug users.
When considering the key vulnerable groups that needed to be targeted, the NGOs suggested that prisoners and faithful wives and mothers should be added to the traditional ones -- sex workers and intravenous drug users (IDUs).
The meeting ended by recommending a joint approach at the regional level and for parliamentarians and NGOs at country level to form working groups. Parliamentarians were urged to review government policy before scaling up services so that perverse incentives discouraging HIV-positive women who are pregnant from coming forward – as in the case of Thailand – are eliminated.
