AIDS Action Europe unites civil society to work towards a more effective response to the HIV epidemic in Europe and Central Asia.
Highlights of the 12th meeting of the HIV/AIDS Civil Society Forum
The HIV/AIDS Civil Society Forum (CSF) has been established by the European Commission as an informal working group to facilitate the participation of non-governmental organizations, including those representing people living with HIV/AIDS, in policy development and implementation and in information exchange activities. Below is a short overview of some of the topics that were discussed at the meeting (Luxembourg, October 26-27, 2010). The full meeting report and all presentations are soon available for download on the AIDS Action Europe website www.aidsactioneurope.org
Council conclusion on the Commission Communication on HIV/AIDS
The CSF reiterated its call to the Belgian EU Presidency and the Council to adopt Council Conclusions during the upcoming EPSCO meeting in December endorsing the EU Communication on HIV/AIDS 2009-2013. This would demonstrate high-level political commitment of the European Member States to tackle HIV/AIDS in Europe but also the neighbouring countries. The need to scale up political leadership as to HIV/AIDS was one of the main findings of the 2010 progress report on Implementing the Dublin Declaration on Partnership to Fight HIV/AIDS in Europe and Central Asia presented by the European Centre of Disease Prevention and Disease Control (ECDC).
CSF position statement on EU drug policies
The statement is developed in the context of the upcoming EU drugs action plan and the evaluation of the EU drugs strategy. It calls upon the European Commission to support evidence-based policies and respect for human rights; develop an impact evaluation of EU policies for the next drugs strategy and lead on the debate on arguments for and against legal regulation on behalf of governments. On the basis of discussion in the meeting, a final text of the statement will be developed for agreement by the CSF.
ILO recommendation on HIV and the world of work
The recommendation is part of international law, and the first international labour standard on HIV and AIDS. The CSF will support ILO’s actions when transmitting the recommendation to the parliaments and the governments who have to determine what measures to take to bring national legislation in conformity with the recommendation.
The Civil Society Forum meeting also included some work in small groups, allowing the members to discuss the implementation of the EU Action Plan on HIV and AIDS as well as to provide input into the framework that was developed to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the action plan. The CSF welcomed Commission plans for action around HIV in 2011 and also emphasised the importance of the Commission advocating for continued investment in HIV prevention, treatment and care across the European region during this time of financial crisis.
And more:
Other topics that were discussed during this meeting of the CSF include:
Renewal of the Civil Society Forum
The term for membership of the CSF is three years. The European Commission is planning to issue a call for renewal of (about half of) the Civil Society Forum at the end of the year. Keep track of www.aidsactioneurope.org to stay informed.
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Council conclusion on the Commission Communication on HIV/AIDS
The CSF reiterated its call to the Belgian EU Presidency and the Council to adopt Council Conclusions during the upcoming EPSCO meeting in December endorsing the EU Communication on HIV/AIDS 2009-2013. This would demonstrate high-level political commitment of the European Member States to tackle HIV/AIDS in Europe but also the neighbouring countries. The need to scale up political leadership as to HIV/AIDS was one of the main findings of the 2010 progress report on Implementing the Dublin Declaration on Partnership to Fight HIV/AIDS in Europe and Central Asia presented by the European Centre of Disease Prevention and Disease Control (ECDC).
CSF position statement on EU drug policies
The statement is developed in the context of the upcoming EU drugs action plan and the evaluation of the EU drugs strategy. It calls upon the European Commission to support evidence-based policies and respect for human rights; develop an impact evaluation of EU policies for the next drugs strategy and lead on the debate on arguments for and against legal regulation on behalf of governments. On the basis of discussion in the meeting, a final text of the statement will be developed for agreement by the CSF.
ILO recommendation on HIV and the world of work
The recommendation is part of international law, and the first international labour standard on HIV and AIDS. The CSF will support ILO’s actions when transmitting the recommendation to the parliaments and the governments who have to determine what measures to take to bring national legislation in conformity with the recommendation.
The Civil Society Forum meeting also included some work in small groups, allowing the members to discuss the implementation of the EU Action Plan on HIV and AIDS as well as to provide input into the framework that was developed to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the action plan. The CSF welcomed Commission plans for action around HIV in 2011 and also emphasised the importance of the Commission advocating for continued investment in HIV prevention, treatment and care across the European region during this time of financial crisis.
And more:
Other topics that were discussed during this meeting of the CSF include:
- Sexual and reproductive rights of PLHIV
- Collaboration between TB and HIV advocates at European level
- HIV challenges in Russia
- HIV in prisons
- Risk reduction among drug users in Spain
Renewal of the Civil Society Forum
The term for membership of the CSF is three years. The European Commission is planning to issue a call for renewal of (about half of) the Civil Society Forum at the end of the year. Keep track of www.aidsactioneurope.org to stay informed.