Informing and facilitating the development of the strategy for the new African Think-Tank on HIV, Health and Social Justice
In March 2015, a regional group of activists and thought leaders on HIV, human rights and social justice convened in Johannesburg to form the African Think-Tank on HIV, Health and Social Justice. The purpose of the Think-Tank was to be a new platform for strengthening strategic thinking and collaborative action across the continent. A main priority for strategic engagement at the time was a critical review of what was working and not working to advance human rights and social justice in the context of HIV across the continent.
As an input to the inaugural meeting of the group, UNAIDS Regional Support Team for East and Southern Africa (ESA) commissioned HEARD to undertake a rapid assessment of current and emerging trends on HIV, human rights and social justice across the ESA region. The assessment found evidence of a number of achievements regarding work on HIV, human rights and social justice for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and other key populations and vulnerable groups, but it also identified key strategic gaps to guide the work of the Think Tank. HEARD Executive Director was the key facilitator of the first meeting and is an active member of the Think-Tank.