Abstract #353  -  Overview of RIATT processes and progress in influencing a coordinated regional agenda on children and AIDS.
Authors:   Presenting Author:   Mrs Noreen Huni - REPSSI
Additional Authors:  Ms. Isabel de Bruin Cardoso,
Aim: The Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Inter-Agency Task Team (RIATT) was formed in October 2006 on the recommendation by the Global Partner’s Forum on Children and AIDS to develop regional task teams to effectively implement regional objectives related to children and AIDS. This recommendation was largely informed by the UN Declaration of Commitment on HIV and AIDS (2001) and the Abuja Declaration on Universal Access (2006). This presentation will identify and discuss the specific processes of initiating and sustaining the RIATT and how the RIATT is influencing a coordinated regional strategy and response to children and AIDS in Eastern and Southern Africa. This presentation should be considered as a follow-up to Mrs Noreen Huni's presenation (abstract #352).
Method / Issue: The RIATT is an inter-agency and multi-sectoral partnership, comprising representatives from regional institutions and agencies such as East African Community, Southern Africa Development Community, UN agencies, civil society organizations, international foundations, regional networks on HIV and AIDS, international cooperating partners, research and academia. These partners were key to framing the 2009-2010 RIATT Framework and Knowledge Management Strategy (KMS), which together outline RIATT’s objective and activities and identifies key areas for RIATT thematic and strategic engagement. The RIATT will largely focus on advocacy and knowledge management, which have been identified by both national and regional partners to be two strategic areas to continue to build the RIATT partnership and to ensure momentum is kept on focusing on children in the context of HIV and AIDS.In addition to the Framework and KMS, the RIATT has three Working Groups, all which have costed plans of action. The Working Groups and their plans of actions have largely been influenced by the set of recommendations stemming from the RIATT “Getting if Right for Children” Conference, 29 September – 2 October 2008, Dar es Salaam. The 3 Working Groups are (1) strengthening families and keeping parents and children alive, (2) increasing effectiveness of services and resources and (3) child participation and empowerment. Partners provide support to the implementation of these plans of action, with the secretariat playing an oversight and monitoring role. The presentation will provide an overview of the key activities of each of the Working Groups with the aim to generate interest amongst the participants to join a particular Working Group and support the implementation of its workplan.
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