International HIV/AIDS Alliance linking organisation in South Africa

26 May 2011

The AIDS Consortium (AC) has recently been accredited as the South African “Linking Organisation” (national newtork AIDS Service Organisation in a developing country) of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance (the Alliance). This strategic partnership aims to support communities to reduce the spread of HIV and meet the challenges of AIDS through building capacity as well as protecting the rights of People Living with HIV. The Alliance accreditation system is designed to help deliver quality HIV programmes that are supported by well-performing, sustainable and credible civil society organisations. The system rigorously assesses Alliance members against high institutional and programmatic standards to improve their HIV responses and accountability to the communities they serve. It is also used to assess organisations seeking membership of the Alliance.

AC is known as a leader in the HIV and AIDS sector for its renowned bua@AC monthly forum (bringing together 300+ organisations and individuals working in the sector); Organisational Development Training as well as work in stigma reduction. The International HIV/AIDS Alliance is known for providing technical expertise, policy and advocacy support to a linking organisation to help take action against AIDS. This partnership will enable AC to further respond to the needs of its affiliate base of over 1000 NGOs, CBOs and individuals engaged in HIV and AIDS service delivery.
“We came away with renewed hope and vigor for the work that we are doing as a family in Africa” said Lynette Lowndes, Deputy Executive Director and Director Field Programmes at the Alliance, after a recent visit to AC. Roy Naidoo, Acting Executive Director at AC said that AC are very excited and encouraged about this collaboration and cannot wait to take this relationship to the next level.

The signed partnership agreement is valid for three years after which it can be renewed. 

 

About The International HIV/AIDS Alliance

Established in 1993, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance (the Alliance) is a global partnership of nationally-based organisations working to support community action on AIDS in developing countries. These national partners help local community groups and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to take action on AIDS, and are supported by technical expertise, policy work and fundraising carried out across the Alliance. In addition, the Alliance has extensive regional programmes, representative offices in the USA and Brussels, and works on a range of international activities such as support for South–South cooperation, operations research, training and good practice development, as well as policy analysis and advocacy.

 

Their mission is to support communities to reduce the spread of HIV and meet the challenges of AIDS. To date they have provided support to organisations from more than 40 developing countries for over 3,000 projects, reaching some of the poorest and most vulnerable communities with HIV prevention, care and support, and improved access to treatment.