Archives

Red Cross co-hosts consultation on Code of Good Practice for NGOs Responding to HIV/AIDS

On June 25, 2004 the Canadian Red Cross and Interagency Coalition on AIDS & Development (ICAD) hosted the Canada consultation for the draft Code of Good Practice for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) responding to HIV/AIDS.    

The consultation, taking place in countries around the world, explored how the Code may be enhanced, better utilized and strategically implemented.  It was an extraordinary opportunity for approximately 30 organizations – each supporting HIV/AIDS work in Canada and around the world – to discuss the role of NGOs in the HIV/AIDS response.

“A strong momentum has been created as a result of global commitments on HIV/AIDS and the demand for a rapid scale-up of the HIV/AIDS response in many countries”, explains Niloo Zand, International Health Programs Advisor,  Canadian Red Cross.  “Our job is to  ensure that the lessons learned to date are used to guide allocation of  resources and development of new programmes and services.”

The Code aims to:

• outline and build wider commitment to the principles, practices and evidence base that underscores successful HIV/AIDS work;
• assist in supporting NGOs to improve the quality and cohesiveness of their work and accountability to their sister NGOs and beneficiary communities;
• foster greater collaboration between the wide variety of supporting NGOs now actively engaged in responding to the HIV/AIDS pandemic; and
• reinvigorate the “voice” of NGOs in the HIV/AIDS response by committing to a shared advocacy agenda.

It is expected that the Code of Good Practice will receive mass “sign on”  by NGOs, publicly signalling their endorsement of the principles enshrined within the Code.    

For more information on the Code of conduct visit: http://www.ifrc.org/what/health/hivaids/code/

For more information:
Niloo Zand
Advisor, International Health Programs
Tel:  (613) 740-1807
E-mail: feedback@redcross.ca