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CGD/UNAIDS Higher Learning Working Group
Project Started : September 2008
Project Ends : March 2009
Lead Researcher : Alan Whiteside
Project Donor : Center for Global Development
Overview
At the end of 2008, Peter Piot stepped down as Executive Director of UNAIDS, the position he had held since UNAIDS was formed in 1996. As part of the transition, the Center for Global Development (CGD) a Washington, USA based think-tank, and the Global Economic Governance Programme (GEG), at the University of Oxford, UK were asked to organise a working group to inform the transition to the next Executive Director of UNAIDS, and identify key issues for UNAIDS into the future.
As part of its remit CGD and GEG held three consultative workshops, one in Washington DC, one in Oxford and one in Durban, which was hosted by HEARD. These workshops brought together the working group and key individuals (policy makers, academics, government officials) to discuss what the future for UNAIDS should be as it moved into 2009 and onwards.
HEARD was asked to host the only consultative workshop outside of the global north, providing a unique perspective on the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the role UNAIDS should be playing in the hyper-endemic countries.
HEARD Director Alan Whiteside was also on the high level working group that provided guidance on the final report.
Research Questions
To run an African consultation to inform the transition of the next Executive Director of UNAIDS and to identify key issues for UNAIDS into the future.
Strategic Questions
African leadership
Expected Knock-On
Global Economic Governance Programme (GEG, Oxford, UK)
Project Impact
The HEARD- hosted consultative workshop was the only workshop to bring people working directly in Africa on HIV/AIDS voices to bear on the outcome of the report. The Durban consultation provided a distinctive voice on what UNAIDS should be doing, often at odds from the consultative workshops in Washington and Oxford.
The final report UNAIDS: Preparing for the Future was sent to the new Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibe. In addition, through the links of the working group members, more direct influence was also exerted.
Brief Description
High level workshop to discuss future directions for UNAIDS and the role of the Executive Director. HEARD hosted the only workshop outside of the global north, providing a distinctive voice from Africa.
Collaborators
- Center for Global Development (CGD, Washington, DC)
- Global Economic Governance Programme (GEG, Oxford, UK)
Key Phases
| Started | Completed | Description |
|---|---|---|
| September 2008 | October 2008 | Hosting workshop |
| March 2009 | March 2009 | Dissemination of report |
Outputs and Activities
- High level consultative workshop, bringing together civil society, government and academics from across Africa, interested in the role UNAIDS should be playing into the future.
- The final report UNAIDS: Preparing for the future, was published in 2009. Click here for more information.
- The report and working group members are discussed further on the CGD website. Click here for more information.
- An interview between HEARD Director Alan Whiteside and Ruth Levine (CGD) about UNAIDS. Click here for more information.
Related News
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On 1st December 2008, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon appointed Michel Sidibe as the new Executive Director of UNAIDS, replacing Peter Piot. Click here for more information.
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