UNAIDS was the first United Nations programme to have formal civil society representation on its governing body. The position of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) is critical for the effective inclusion of community voices in the key global policy forum for AIDS.
Five NGOs, three from developing countries and two from developed countries or countries with economies in transition, represent the perspectives of civil society, including people living with HIV to the UNAIDS board. They can serve for up to three years and have non-voting status. The 5 organisations have one representative each and they are supported by 5 other NGO organisations, which stand as alternate members.
The NGO representatives actively seek input from their respective communities on key issues related to UNAIDS policies and programs, and advocate with Members States (governments) and Cosponsoring organizations (the ten United Nations organizations that make up the UNAIDS Joint Programme) for meaningful improvements in the implementation and evaluation of AIDS policies and programmes.
NGO delegation to the PCB 2013
- Africa:
- Ms Nadia Rafif, Association de Lutte Contre le Sida (ALCS), Morocco
- Mr Joel Gustave Nana, African Men for Sexual Health and Rights (AMSHeR), South Africa
- Asia Pacific:
- Ms Jane Bruning, Positive Women Incorporated / Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (APN+), New Zealand
- Mr John M. Rock, International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC), Australia
- Europe:
- Ms Daria (Dasha) Ocheret, Eurasian Harm Reduction Network, Lithuania
- Mr Bryan Teixeira, European AIDS Treatment Group, UK
- Latin America and the Caribbean:
- Dr Mabel Bianco, Fundación para Estudio e Investigación de la Mujer (FEIM), Argentina
- Ms Alessandra Nilo, Gestos – HIV+, Communication and Gender, Brazil
- North America:
- Ms Ebony Johnson, International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (ICW), United States
- Mr Charles King, Housing Works, United States