Proposal for a citizen's advocacy group

[Guest guest]

Dear Moderator

I would like to propose the following citizen's group and look forward

to the comments of the readers.

Best wishes for the New Year

Rajan Gupta

ë-MAIL: <rajan@...>

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A CITIZEN'S GROUP TO COORDINATE A BOTTOM'S UP RESPONSE TO HIV/AIDS

As India moves into a new phase of HIV/AIDS prevention and control (treatment,

large scale international funding and attention, and advocacy) it is very

important to have clear policies, implementation, and monitoring of programs.

One way in which there could be bottoms up contribution to this process is to

have an apex citizen's body that is representative of different sectors and the

representatives have authority within their constituency to promote their

interests. The goals of the body would be to act cohesively to

* Provide leadership and advocacy in a measured and effective way

* Provide feedback on government policy

* Facilitate development of programs within their constituency

* Provide a forum to bring the different constituencies together

* Provide an independent forum for monitoring of programs

* Provide awareness and guidance on HIV/AIDS to the general public

My experiences suggest that the time is ripe for the creation of such a

citizen's body. As a suggestion should consist of no more than 20 members and

should include representatives, among others, of

* PLWHA

* Sex workers

* Intravenous drug users

* LBGT organizations

* Medical scientists involved with research on HIV

* Medical doctors of leading care and treatment centers for HIV/AIDS

* Pharmaceutical firms producing ARV drugs and drugs for OI

* Major NGOs working primarily on HIV

* Major NGOs carrying out a holistic rural or slum development programs

* Civil rights Lawyers

In addition, I would like to suggest there be five members with observer status

from

* NACO

* The planning commission of India

* The Armed Forces Medical Services

* Two other members at large

Details, charter and responsibilities will, of course, have to be worked out by

the citizen's group. If you consider this suggestion opportune, please send me

your comments and nominations for members at rajan@...

<mailto:rajan@...>. As an outside observer I will help to formulate the

group and if necessary help seek funding to get it off the ground.

Sincerely

Rajan Gupta

rajan@... <mailto:rajan@...>

http://t8web.lanl.gov/people/rajan/AIDS-india/