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Home » Forums » e-Forum » e-Forum 2008 *closed* » Theme 3: Implementation [16 June - 21 July] » Week 5: coordinating programs supported by several partners
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10-05-2008 10:42

Re: Week 5: coordinating programs supported by several partners

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I think those SR’s who are responsible to implement certain programs of GFATM activities need to talk more about GFATM and tell who they are. Better coordination with all SR’s, SSR’s, PR and the National program needs to sustain. Also in achieving the national response it is also important that all partners work together for better coordination and cooperation.

10-02-2008 2:36

Re: Week 5: coordinating programs supported by several partners

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Papua New Guinea is a recipient of a GFATM grant for each of the three diseases. With the National department of health being the prinicple recipient  for all three. The health sector already operates under a sector wide approach, with the donor partner funds deposited into our Health Sector Improvement Program trust account. All global fund money is also deposited into the trust account. Regular donor partner meetings provide an oversight for this.The HIV program has a plethera of partners, and yes coordination is difficult. However, we have National Strageic plan for HIV/AIDS, and a national aids council. The health sector partners are guided by our health sector strategic plan,  which is linked directly to the NSP indicators and targets. A governing body for NGOs, CSOs has been established for HIV/AIDS (PACSO) but is in developmental stages.
Our CCM we find is a very good mix of all partners engaged in the repsonse in the country, and the global fund grant is an opportunity for all partners to be engaged and involved in the response. I feel that our CCM is a very strong body, but needs strengthening in their oversight functions, but is improving constantly. Greater involvement of CSOs, NGOs, FBOs and People living with the disease is needed, but as CCM strengthens this will be a part of the CCM capacity building.
The NDoH is undergoing a program of restructure, but unlike other comments, I feel that our government does take ownership. In fact a lot of concern is often raised at CCM of GF creating parallel systems rather than being a component. The CCM and TWGs work hard to ensure that this is not the case, and the Disease control branch has the repsonsibility of coordinating these functions.
With respect to Malaria, we have one major partner- Rotary Against Malaria, and that is almost the extent of the partnerships! Bi-laterals has just come on board with additional funding, but they are very keen to ensure that it fits into the national repsonse in line with the national strategic plan. Thus in essence managing malaria partners is very simple, but get people on the ground to carry out implementation is difficult and overly reliant on the health system- of which we operate in a decentralised system.
It is up to the national government to maintain its coordination of the programs and strategic priorites (of which HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB are all priority programs in PNG), afterall it is their core business to ensure that we work with our internal and external partners to create a shared vision and common goals. Linkages with Private Public Partnerships is going be a mechanism of evolving this.
 
The knowledge of GF in the country is varied. In some instances, knowledge of GF has created a "market" with NGOs, CSOs etc, that often double dip so to speak with GF funds, and other donors, but often lack the capacity to implement their programs. But this is a responsibilty of partners and proves a need for further coordination.
All in all GFATM is viewed as an essential support to fight against the three diseases in the country, and has increased our capacity to be more aware and responsible in the coordination and oversight of programs. We are ever evolving!

08-14-2008 5:39 PM

Re: Week 5: coordinating programs supported by several partners

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We invite you to post your contributions directly to the forums.

Dear members,

Here's a contribution by erikip, Nigeria.

Thank you for your contribution!

Alastair
e-Forum Facilitator 
  
 

There is need to identify the challenges faced by countries in specific contexts. We then analyze the root cause(s) of these challenges and proffer solutions

In my personal view, the challenges faced by countries are numerous:

1.       Limited involvement and ownership of GF coordination by Government. They have forgotten that resources hitherto coming to countries through Development Partners and Agencies are now being re-channeled through the GF.  

2.       Limited awareness of the GF aims and objectives for creating CCM by

a.       Government at all levels

b.        Some Partners and Stakeholders

3.       Limited support to empower CCM to carry out its functions

4.       Diverse and rigid agendas of Partners and Stakeholders, not focusing on the felt needs of the country.

5.       Limited feedback from CCM members to their various constituencies such that the larger community is not informed except when call for proposals are released, which started a few years back

6.       GF is itself undergoing a learning process. Needs to learn fast, use the experiences gathered.  

Along these lines of thought, solutions are obvious

  1. Limited involvement and ownership of GF coordination by Government. They have forgotten that resources hitherto coming to countries through Development Partners and Agencies are now being re-channeled through the GF. 
    1. Government as the principal stakeholder and the most sustainable instrument in development should be properly orientated on the need to take ownership at the highest level possible; appreciating that GF is a Partner-in progress. GF has made very investments in countries and it is time for Government to start taking over for sustainability. Presidential briefing can be of help by GF missions    
  2. Limited awareness of the GF aims and objectives for creating CCM by Government at all levels; and some Partners and Stakeholders
    1. Periodic orientation and feedbacks to Government and Stakeholders to remove the erroneous impression that GF is another form of ‘national cake’. It virtually replaced national budgets at some point; despite the additionality condition
  3. Limited support to empower CCM to carry out its functions
    1. This is being addressed in Nigeria. Credible CCM officials need be encouraged by Grants performance with evident improving indices
  4. Diverse and rigid agendas of Partners and Stakeholders, not focusing on the felt needs of the country.
    1. This is a sensitive issue BUT has to be addressed. Partners should remove their Agency caps and put national caps. The UN, through UNDAF, is showing the way forward. It is going to be a tough process BUT it has to be done and HQs of some of these partners and stakeholders have to be involved  
  5. Limited feedback from CCM members to their various constituencies such that the larger community is not informed except when call for proposals are released, which started a few years back
    1. Feedback / Progress report fora need be established and supported by government. This will encourage information dissemination and bottom –up approach. This is more important in large country setting like Nigeria
  6. GF is itself undergoing a learning process.
    1. Needs to learn fast, use the experiences gathered. Reports of several assessment missions e.g. the AIDSPAN among others should be seen to be implemented.    

In summary, the CCM strategy is good and should continue to be supported actively to accommodate and harmonize the various agenda and interests of all partners and stakeholders. This will become more effective when the country ownership is fully appreciated by relevant Government institutions such as FMOH. A periodic documentation of CCM Progress Report showing the contributions of various Partners and Stakeholders in support the CCM efforts in coordination is encouraged.   

07-22-2008 2:06 PM

Re: Week 5: coordinating programs supported by several partners

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Esteemed e-forum members and facilitators,
With your permission, please permit me to make this important announcement.
 
With deep sadness I would like all of us to join hearts and hands to uphold one of our dear members, Dr. Amzad Ali who lost his father-in-law yesterday.
 
Dr. Ali will be out of circulation for four days. Please let us remember him and his family in our devotions that Allah will give him strength and that he will continue doing the great job laid on his heart.
 
You can write Dr. Amzad Ali on this address ali.amzad@gmail.com)
 
Let us remain close as one big family as Azima and others have voiced.
 
Inshallah
 
Your sister,
 
Fenna E. Bacchus 

07-22-2008 5:44

Re: Week 5: coordinating programs supported by several partners

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Abraham,
 
I can feel your heartbeat and passion for the poor and marginalized peopels. You are talking about the forgotten ones, the villages that need help and that no one is looking out for the villagers. You have expressed sadness, pain and uncertainty and the presence of the 3 big diseases.
 
I see how much this is on your mind and the burden in your heart for those poor villagers that live in the most remote areas of your island group and are isolated from everything.
 
Thank you for bringing their plight to the centre stage where you have our listening ears. I hope that our ideas shared will trickle down to you to make a difference in the lives of the forgotten people. Please take care of them and carry them in your heart every time you have an opportunity to meet the international community online and in Indonesia
 
When I come to visit you, can you cook Bami Goreng and Nasi Goreng for me?  I love Sateh with Gado Gado sauce also. And we will drink Dawaat....
 
You have a heart of gold.
 
Fenna
 
 
Tag(s):

07-22-2008 4:20

Re: Week 5: coordinating programs supported by several partners

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That is a good matters and I think GF may be always can consider the following suggestions:
 
1) We must stand at the same idea, perception, becauce on the field too much problems related in HIV/AIDS, malaria,TB. Our socities pain, and they dont to know when, and from whom they will get helping. They only waiting invisible hand to help them. This reallty in some of parts our societies in Indonesia, especialy proverty societes which live in isolated area, or far from center of government services.GF must looking and thinking about it.
 
2) I think the following steps is meeting. Minimal one times for one year meeting. GF will have many chance to hear and collecting information from audience as a importance sources.
 
Thank you,
 
Warm Regards,
 
Abraham FanggidaE

07-21-2008 4:59 PM

Re: Week 5: coordinating programs supported by several partners

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Asish
 
This is brilliant...do you have an implementing strategy to share?  That is exactly where the best programs fail because of lack of implementation strategy. We need you to outline one ...this is huge assigment that needs timelines.
 
I would love to see this model and highly commend you on this strength. Ofcourse there will be a lot of politicking involved but we have to identify means to reduce the risk of political control of such a model and that it isnot threathened before it gets a fair chance to flourish.
 
Now I am taking you on and will ask to be very analytic. What is the comparative advantage of such a model for countries of the "third world"?
 
I humbly suggest that you and Dr. Amzad Ali get in touch immediately because this is something he seems to be very competent in.
 
Thank you Asish
 
Fenna

07-21-2008 2:56 PM



    • konjit
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  • Ethiopia
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  • Posts 12

Re: Week 5: coordinating programs supported by several partners

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I am pleased this issue of coordination between different implemnting agencies at national level is really important and I believe is still a challenge in the response to the three diseases. Fund is flowing and so are the programs, however without coordination, there is no sustainability and impact and change at the community level we are working. It also affects cpacity, with limited capacitly and skilled HR without coordination, countries are not able to produce quality data and services, they are exerting unncessary time and efforts to meet requirement of different donrs.
 
As it is known, UNAIDS is working intensively with UN agencie, GF, USAID and other partners and donors on the implementation of the three ones, which are one national AIDS coordinating authority, one national M&E system and One HIV/AIDS Action Framework that provides the basis for coordinating the work of all partners. This I feel is very important, although countries have to agree and committed there is progress, still this framework of the three ones should be supported for its implmentaton. This will give an overall framework which will be the coordinating blanket and based on this the details based on programs can be sorted out.
 
The GF is in a better position and influence at country level to plan and implement the capacity of the CCM, LFA, Prinicpal recipients and the sub recipients to strenghten their knowledge of the national system of reporting and framework and develop tools based on the national system. Building the capacity of government stakeholders, civil society and private sectors to work toward the implementation of the three ones will be important. The need for wide dissemination of the national frameworks available for civil society and the private sectors and the donors can faciliatate coordination. In addition CCM can organize regular discussion forums on coordination and existing frameworks and mechansms as well as review meeting which can be organized quarterly with the technical support of the GF, which will held in mainstreaming and guiding donors and the civil society and the private sector.
 
The other activitiy for the GF is to regular monitoring and technical suppport the principal reciepients, sub recipients on coordinatiion, including bilateral and multilateral donors.

07-21-2008 8:34

Re: Week 5: coordinating programs supported by several partners

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Many participants have observed lack of co-operation representation in different implementing agencies. For effective implementation of various agencies, country's national plan favoured suitable bilateral & multilateral co-operation, several partners intra-functional characters, could give best support to country's expectation & reducing challenges.
 
Challenges could be reduced by providing robust secondary data,cost-benefit analysis in low GDP countries, improved intra-functional character,establishment of Global-Fund free trade zones,could be useful mechanism for intra-regional co-operation, less opportunity of trade countries. Under these zones, GF secretariat & its components could expand GF business subsystem model by providing specific consultancies, expansion of financial contribution, replenishment mechanism.
 
GF free tade zones could give connecting link between developed & developing countries for effective predictability of the GF resources allocation, financial initiative, financing public health program in less essentials of survival countries, provide performance based system for developing countries& consolidation support for developed countries.

Thank you,
 
ASHISH SRIVASTAVA
ex-InternationalMarketing
CCM(SEAR-INDIA)81237

07-21-2008 8:02



    • bbk.hill
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  • Posts 2

Re: Week 5: coordinating programs supported by several partners

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Two things are important for me.
 
(1) Partners Selection - This should be fair and just.
There should be no inherent biases in the selection process. Very often, partner selection is based on previous collaboration and frendship (individual or organizational level). Frendship-based selection has two common consequences, it can either leads to (i) better collaboration, better understanding on goals and effficiency or (ii) gross inefficiency as the parners (friends) take everything granted. Therefore, it is very important to have a fair and transparent partner selection (i.e., sub-recipients) process. It should be all inclusive.
 
Partners should represent diversity - geographical, population etc. The follwing criteria should be considered during the SRs selection process:
(a) Geographical coverage of SRs
(b) Target groups served by SRs
(c) Representation of organizations from minorities/indigenous populations etc.
 
(2) Accountability of GF & Partners - The Global Fund and its partners warrant more transparency in its operations.
This could be done through greater accountability to / and openning up to civil society monitoring. Current monitoring & evaluation of GF & partners is very unfair. As I have been observing that M&E of GF & partners is done through friends/circle of friends. Third party monitoring is almost absent or very week.
 
The GF & its partners should increasingly come under civil society watchdogs. This is possible only if GF facilitates such processses at Geneva or country level. A transparent system alone can reduce challenges in partner's management to a great extent. The GF/PRs should adopt zero tolerance policy for its partners. If a partner fails its committment / and has committed a corrupt practice, it should be dropped immediately. I think if we integrate these foundational values into our policies and practice, there will be no apparent challenges in partnership management. If there is an fair, transparent and accountable environment; the system will yield, the mangement issues - coordination / implementation etc. will be solved and existing management knowhow/ problem solving tools will work in reducing the challenges that countries face when coordinating programs supported by several partners.

07-21-2008 7:43

Re: Week 5: coordinating programs supported by several partners

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Didi Asima, Esteemed e-forum Members and Facilitators,
 
I'm so indebted to you, and so humbled by your kind words. I see in you the beauty of character, a beauty that reflects on my helpless frail soul and enables me to experience that rebirth of mind, body and soul. It's your beauty of character, that brightens up my spirit, lights up my life and gives me hope. Change is here Asima it has already entered the hearts of some of you and you don't know that it has taken root. It is a positive change. When I look at your image through your writing I can see change, I can feel a transformation movement that has been born actually last week that connected Somalia, Bangladesh and the USA. Now it is touching India and we will see how many more want to be part of the movement for change...a shift in paradigm. We can't stop the power of transformation.

When I look at myself the words that echo from my soul are like resounding brass...meaningless, unless  I channel these words through your spirit, these words come alive and give what I do a whole new meaning. This is the power of functional literacy. Functional literacy is dignity, functional literacy is breathe in liveless body dying of HIV/AIDS that doesnt know how to manage self care due to the lack of functional iteracy skills and competencies. Now that we have put HIV/AIDS in an Africa perspective and no longer dare to call it a disease of promiscuous black Africans as though they are the only one's behaving differently that the rest of the world when it comes to sexuality. 

Functional literacy empowers people to participate in social, economic and political processes that liberate and transforms their lives.

Functional literacy connects local identity to global integrity.

Functional Literacy facilitates the inculcation of the core values of human rights and facilitates the enforcement of such. Without this humans have no dignity.
 
Functional Literacy teaches people how to manage their lives and engage in critical thinking and consequential decision-making, a critical skill they need, but few have developed. Instead of us thinking for them and fixing their problems with bandaids we need to let them think for themselves and manage their lives by preventing the infection in the first place and not transmitting it unless protection is used.They should be the drivers of their own decision-making.
 
Now unto some more things that will intrigue you:
 
The Africans slaves were the first to arrive in Suriname. In 1863 when Slavery was abolished the African slaves had to work 10 years as indentured servants. Then the Lala Rook, the first Indian sailing ship arrived in Suriname July 1, 1876 and brought with them precious humans, Hindus and Muslims. We have such a rich history, because the Chinese, the Indonesians and the Portuguese  followed up to 1917.
 
I have studied the works of Rabindra nath Tagore, a Nobel awarded poet is our Acharya (teacher) and I am one of his admirers. "Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; Where knowledge is free; Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls; Where words come out from the depth of truth; Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection; Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit; Where the mind is led by thee into ever widening thought and action- Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake". His words resonate deep in my soul. Thank you so much for this most gracious and beautiful thought. I shall always remember you.

I'm also an admirer of Indira Gandhi and Benizer Bhutto. I knew Benizer would be assassinated and I cried because the voice for democracy was silenced when the very same day Kenya broke the back of democracy by stealing the elections.  I was in Kenya during the terrible post election violence. Of course I shall always be a student at the feet of Mahatma Gandhi. Mother Theresa lives in my heart and will always live on.
 
I'm a graduate of Maha Rashi Dayanand High School in Suriname and attended the functions of the Arya Dewaker Temple. If I am around I attend Hindu festivities and functions in Orlando FL and Nairobi Kenya. In our family in Trinidad Hindus and Muslims do marry and there is no problem.   
 
Many of my Professors saw what you saw in me...I'm still very humbled because I am just a lump of clay the Potter needs to use and mold to make me a teacup for others to drink from...if one has to lead one has to empower the people to become leaders. One has to teach them with patience and dissect all the pieces to show that functional literacy is core to solving the HIV/AIDS catastropy while we come up with a vaginal gel antimicrobial. I am wondering how wide spread condum use it and if so why it is that infections in a number of Southern African countries are through the roof and the Life Expectancy is dropping. This whole thing was not prioritized properly when it was decided to put the GF together. The issue of functional literacy that I have fought hard for from 2002 to present was not heard by all stakeholders...I could not possibly attend all global forums.. But I'm here now Asima and will hold all of you up to lead and transform the GF. If we don't have a paradigm shift we will loose 30 million precious people suffering of HIV/AIDS, millions to TB and Malaria and other co-morbidities. Asima, I read lots of reports and we are not winning the HIV/AIDS battle....unless we change our strategy.   When HIV/AIDS infection doesnt hit home at one's doorstep, a brother, sister, parent(s), or spouse ..one doesnt know how it feels...we don't know how the shoe fits...so it doesnt matter whether we will continue with the ongoing policies and see millions that will succumb to an untimely death. If I don't fight Asima till my last breath, who will fight for the nameless, faceless and maimed ones? Who will fight for those that don't even know they are infected, those that don't have dignity, those that can't read and write, those that are computer illiterate, those that have never seen a cellphone or a satelite phone? I could remember being blamed by scholars for not attending the World Literacy Forum in 2000. I was actually in the University studying how to become an interdisciplinary researcher...I was actually an International Relations at USF...they said that if I was there I would have influenced global policy on literacy and set the bar for the world to follow...I stood helpless and listened to their frustrations and pain and could only say...I'm sorry
 
Something big is going to be happening in Africa in about 2-3 months time...Dr. Amzad Ali from Bangladesh,  Dr. Jama Abdullahi Jama from Somalia and myself are planning to do something very big for Africa and this is no laughing matter. Since they are the elders, I give them the honour to discuss this with you all.

I want to share a parting thought with you that was published in my April 2006 paper:   "Core to the argument of the centrality of culture is the beauty of its graceful inner spirituality that creates the atmosphere and potential for progressive functional language development while inculcating values that link the spiritual to the culturally intrinsic and extrinsic, thereby laying the foundation for growth (Bacchus 2006)". May all of you e-forum members, facilitators and your families be blessed as you carry on your work diligently and go above and beyond the call of duty to make something great happen in your community or country.   I m so tired ...its almost 2am and I have written so many letters...my fingers you dont want to know how they feel and look like. We need to be the drivers of our own destiny Yours, Fenna

07-21-2008 4:13

Re: Week 5: coordinating programs supported by several partners

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My Dear Sister Fenna,
 
Your childhood and sweet memory of relation has touched my heart. Your living with the Hindus, Muslims and other religious ethnic and culture is your wealth of memory. I am very glad to know that you are very aware of Indian culture. I would like to mention the name of Rabindra nath Tagore, a Nobel awarded poet is our Acharya (teacher). I enclose herewith his song for your realization.
 
"Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; Where knowledge is free; Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls; Where words come out from the depth of truth; Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection; Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit; Where the mind is led by thee into ever widening thought and action- Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake"
 
In true sense MyGlobalFund has enshrined the discussion of reality. The members from all over world of the GF family paid their attention for truth. The participants from Africa and Asia addressed from the core of problem arise from poverty, illiteracy, extreme exploitation and discrimination. The people are deprived from all human rights. It will be better to form a sustainable Global forum to participate all workman people are engaged with HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria officially by the GF. The participants from the countries like, Fenna from Kenya, Ali and Pabel from Bangladesh,Satyam and Ashish from India, Robson from Uganda, Jane from Nigeria, Sawsan El Sheikh, Mariasururu from Kenya, Miraz Rohson Thakuri from Nepal, T K Y ALI from Iraq, Paul Moses from Kenya, Collins Kedega from South Afric, M M F Ahmed from Egypt, Henry from Nigeria, Stakhan from Bangladesh are the eminent people who can take part for the development of Fund Management of the GlobalFund in the respective countries. I request Fenna for your brainstorming.
 
With love,
 
Your Didi Asima Chakraborty
General Secretary
The Organization for Peace Environment and Human Rights [TOPER]
India

07-21-2008 12:20

Re: Week 5: coordinating programs supported by several partners

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Well thought of Robson,
 
 "A fundemental area which should be strengthen is information and proper use of national contact points"
 
"Without such a re-orientation current achievements and potential benefits, Gf are likely to be permanently harmed through poor management of resources which can lead to loss of partner credibility"
 
You could not have put this in better words. You hit the nail on the head and I hope the Global Fund is listening. This is simply brilliant Robson...keep it up
 
Now you are talking like the boss and I'm quite excited about that.
 
Someone needs to keep an eye on the henhouse since the Hyena's are all over the place.
 
This is such a powerful submission.
 
Fenna

07-20-2008 11:14 PM

Re: Week 5: coordinating programs supported by several partners

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Esteemed E-Members and Facilitators,
 
I should let you all know that my focus on this discussion:
 
What could the Global Fund and its partners do to reduce the challenges that countries face when coordinating programs supported by several partners?

will be addressed through the lens of Cross Cultural Communication and Anthropology specifically worldviews. This is not a subject that is normally discussed but its critical towards the understanding to reduce such challenges that countries face when coordinating programs supported by several partners.  
 
Fenna

07-20-2008 10:31 PM

Re: Week 5: coordinating programs supported by several partners

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How wonderful to hear from you again Satyam. I am Fenna and I am so happy you are writing from the grassroots to let me know that you are there.
 
How can I help you Satyam? Are you a health care volunteer in your small village? How many people live there and are there schools for the children and programmes for the women? 
 
Are you asking what help is available because more people want to be integrated in the programme and need to be supported?
 
I have asked Asish to contact you to and to see how he can help you since he is closer in proximity to you.
 
Keep writing to us and you can also write to me to let me know how your programme is doing.
 
Fenna E. Bacchus
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