Networks are alliances of all organisations involved in the field of HIV and form an integral part of addressing the epidemic. They can function on a national, regional or global scale.
Networking is a platform where people can work together in sharing knowledge, expertise and experience for the greater benefit of HIV prevention, treatment and quality of life for those living with HIV.
Networking involves people living with HIV, community leaders, carers, NGOs and CBOs, governments, the pharmaceutical industry and international organisations.
Networking in MENA
Networking in the MENA region has focused on capacity building since the national networks, in addition to representatives of national NGOs where there are no networks, that are involved are few in number and lack resources and experience in networking. The 2002 regional meeting in Tunis focused on strengthening leadership capacity. It is from the fruits of that workshop that the Regional Arab Network against AIDS (RANAA) emerged.[i] The Regional Resource Group (RRG) for NGOs working in HIV is a group of experts from member NGOs that was established in 2007 to support and revitalized the secretariat of RANAA.
Scope of Networking
Networking can either take on a thematic or geographical scope: or even both. A thematic scope can, for instance, focus on research on HIV transmission among vulnerable populations, or capacity building and training of health care workers. A geographical scope can focus on a region or country, and adopt different tasks and missions. A good example of one network that employs both scopes is the Asian Harm Reduction Network (AHRN) which has devised guidelines and support in prevention for injecting drug users in Asia.
It is vital that all stakeholders in the networks share the same objectives even if they differ in experiences. In fact, diversity can be a useful characteristic of networks.
Function of Networks
Networks exist in order to build local technical support, share knowledge and experience, promote peer support, expand regional and national advocacy and locate funding.[ii]
Networks facilitate:
Capacity building
By acting as a resource to HIV-related information including new technological advances, sharing expertise from regional to country level and helping community programmes to be self-reliant.
Knowledge sharing
By promoting exchange of ideas, experience and expertise as well as information exchange in utilising knowledge of successful programmes to implement best-practice programmes.[iii] In 1999, a UNAIDS report indicated that information exchange was the most common objective of networks. [iv]
Solidarity and advocacy
By creating a team spirit approach, thus reducing isolation, and directing efforts on areas poorly addressed or with particular vulnerability.
Funding
By mobilising financial resources
For guidance on networking see ‘Putting Knowledge to work: Technical Resource Networks for Effective Response to HIV/AIDS
[i] RBS and BDP, Regional Workshop on Networking, Partnership and Leadership for Civil Society Organisations on HIV/AIDS in the Arab Region, 9-13 Dec 2002,
[ii] http://data.unaids.org/Publications/IRC-pub05/jc483-puttingknowledge_en.pdf
[iii] http://data.unaids.org/Publications/IRC-pub05/jc483-puttingknowledge_en.pdf
[iv] http://data.unaids.org/Publications/IRC-pub05/jc483-puttingknowledge_en.pdf page 12
