Alliance of Mayors - working together

Working Together

TWINNING: Building Bridges and Partnerships

The Alliance, with support from the UN AMICAALL Partnership Programme, is promoting partnerships and collaboration with a broad range of actors and institutions. These include:

African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF)

The African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), based in Harare, Zimbabwe, is an independent, development funding institution, established in November 1991, through the collaborative efforts of the African Development Bank, the World Bank, and United Nations Development Programme, African Governments and bilateral donors. The Foundation's mission is to: "Mobilize and provide funding, intellectual, information and research support for the design and implementation of capacity building projects which meet the specific needs of African countries and ensure sustainable development and poverty reduction." In 2001, ACBF awarded a four-year grant of $1.06 million to National AMICAALL/Swaziland Programme to enhance the capacity of municipalities, community groups and non-governmental organisations to develop and carry out multisectoral actions in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic at the local level.

The Council on Health Research for Development (COHRED) is a non-government organization formally established in March 1993 to carry forward the implementation of Essential National Health Research (ENHR) - a concept developed to facilitate involvement of community members, decision-makers and scientists in priority setting in national health research in poor countries. COHRED's expertise will be made available to support national AMICAALL programmes in a number of countries.

Elus Locaux Contre le Sida, ELCS, (Locally Elected Officials Against AIDS) is a French Association of locally elected officials with more than 10 000 members, whose activities include HIV prevention, support to diverse HIV/AIDS organizations and to those affected by the epidemic.

Believing that the locally elected officials are best positioned to understand the needs and realities of their communities, ELCS endorses the AMICAALL strategy. ELCS is working with the Alliance and the UN AMICAALL Partnership Programme on a range of partnership activities. These include twinning, country support, resource mobilization and the institutional support to the Alliance Secretariat.

ELCS has also extended an invitation to the Alliance to participate in the ELCS annual meeting. As a gesture of solidarity, ELCS has provided a small grant to the Alliance Secretariat based in Windhoek, Namibia.

Government of the Netherlands

The Government of the Netherlands endeavours to combat poverty in a sustainable manner by addressing the economic, social and political dimensions to poverty with efforts aimed at ensuring that countries, cities, villages or people will continue developing on their own after the support stops. To reduce poverty the Netherlands cooperates closely with a limited number of developing nations (bilateral aid); development organisations (multilateral aid); and non-governmental and civil society organisations.

The Government of the Netherlands is providing funding support to the Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders and the Alliance of Mayors' Initiative for Community Action on AIDS at the Local Level (AMICAALL). This support will further enhance the capacity of the Alliance, and its Secretariat, to expand multi-country programme activities focussed on leadership development at the local government level, partnerships with civil society organisations and communities and capacity enhancement to facilitate scaling-up of multisectoral responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic at the local level.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies carries out relief operations to assist victims of disasters, and combines this with development work to strengthen the capacities of its member National Societies. With its 100 million volunteers, the International Federation plays an important role in coordinating and supporting local efforts to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The IFRC is also a member of the International Partnership against AIDS in Africa (IPAA).

UN-AMICAALL Partnership Programme and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have agreed to foster collaboration in support of national AMICAALL programmes. The IFRC will advise the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in countries where Alliance/AMICAALL is active to engage with Alliance representatives to explore areas where collaboration will be initiated.

Global Campaign against HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination, 2002-2003, IFRC

The International Partnership Against AIDS in Africa (IPAA) is a coalition of African governments, co-sponsors of UNAIDS, donors and private and community sectors cooperating in order to significantly scale up efforts in Africa to curtail the spread of HIV, to reduce its impact and halt the further reversal of human, social and economic development.

The UN-AMICAALL Partnership Programme and UNAIDS/IPAA form a mutually complementary commitment to enhancing partnerships in response to the epidemic in Africa.

The National Conference of Black Mayors (NCBM), is a private, non-profit organisation that serves as a network of almost 500 mayors across the United States of America. Its' mission is to enhance the executive management capacity of its members for the purpose of governing viable municipalities.

NCBM held its 27th Annual Convention in Savannah, Georgia from March 7 to 11, 2001. Among the policy resolutions adopted at the meeting was resolution 15 entitled "In Support of the Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders on HIV/AIDS in Africa" which expresses the support of NCBM for the Abidjan Declaration, commends the actions being taken by local leaders in Africa and urges all of its members to be of assistance to the Alliance.

The OPEC Fund for International Development is the development finance agency established in January 1976 by member states of the petroleum exporting countries to promote south-south cooperation by extending concessional assistance to other, non-OPEC, developing countries. Within the framework of its contribution to the international campaign against the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the OPEC Fund has decided to assist the work of the UN AMICAALL Partnership Programme (UN APP). Initial collaboration will focus on assisting orphaned and vulnerable young people attain skills and experience to lead productive lives by providing vocational training and upgrading of facilities in Namibia and documenting and sharing experiences.

Organization for Educational Resources and Technological Training International Cooperation (ORT IC)

The Organization for Educational Resources and Technological Training International Cooperation (ORT IC) supports economic and social development in more than sixty countries through vocational training, community development and the provision of technical assistance. The range of current projects includes: health and nutrition, transportation, mother and child care, rural development, agriculture, forestry, support to democratic initiatives, training for refugees, information technology and women in development. Projects throughout the world are funded in cooperation with bilateral and multilateral agencies and by private foundations.

ORT IC and the UN AMICAALL Partnership Programme are working together to support local initiatives in Africa which are addressing the impact of rapidly increasing orphans and vulnerable young people as a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Activities focus on vocational training, development of employability skills, private sector partnerships to promote apprenticeships and other types of support. This initiative, which promotes Skills development, provides Opportunities for vulnerable young people and orphans and encourages Self-reliance (SOS), is being developed in collaboration with a wide range of partners: local authorities, communities, educational institutions, government agencies, NGOs, faith-based groups and the private sector.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), a multi-national accounting and management consulting firm is committed, as a responsible corporate leader, to building successful partnerships with civil society in the framework of an innovative initiative. This small programme is intended to develop a new generation of talented, culturally-sensitive global leaders who appreciate and celebrate diversity. Through the Ulysses Programme of Partnership and the UN Office of Project Services (UNOPS) the AMICAALL/Swaziland Programme was one of three programmes selected to host a PwC team.

During the summer of 2001, three senior managers, from Europe and North America, spent two months in Swaziland providing technical assistance for the development of local finance, accounting, and management systems for the National AMICAALL Programme. The result was a set of operations manuals that address all relevant grant funding stipulations together with recommendations in terms of the necessary computing capacity to implement these systems.

With a simple, transparent system for dispersing and accounting for funds already in place, it is likely that this will inspire confidence among other potential funders, including bi-lateral agencies, private sector, non governmental organisations and local/national agencies. The renewal of this positive experience is being explored with other national AMICAALL programmes.

Sister Cities International (SCI) is a non-profit network devoted to creating and strengthening partnerships between U.S. and international communities in an effort to increase global co-operation at the municipal level, to promote cultural understanding and to stimulate economic development. SCI leads the movement for local community development and volunteer action by motivating and empowering private citizens, municipal officials and business leaders to conduct long-term programs of mutual benefit.

SCI is working together with the UN-AMICAALL Partnership Programme to promote cooperation and resource mobilisation in support of the work of the Alliance and AMICAALL.

South African Cities Network

South African Cities Network is a network of South African cities and partners that encourages the exchange of information, experience and best practices on urban development and city management. It was initiated by the Minister for Provincial and Local Government, nine city municipalities and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA).

The Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders on HIV/AIDS in Africa and the South African Cities Network HIV/AIDS Programme are working together, sharing information, experiences and lessons learned.

Telluride AIDS Benefit (TAB) was created nine years ago in response to the lack of support available to those living with HIV/AIDS in rural areas of Colorado. Inspired by a presentation in the US in 1999 by the Mayor of Manzini, Swaziland, Ms. Amy Kimberly, TAB Executive Director, approached Mayor Mthembu and offered assistance. Brokered by UNDP, a partnership was established between TAB and the city of Manzini. TAB has provided two separate grants to Manzini in support of basic survival needs such as food, water and sanitation, as well as education opportunities for AIDS orphans and home based care for HIV affected households in poor communities. Plans for expansion are under consideration. TAB is also undertaking advocacy work in the US, including the development of a web page which draws attention to the urgent situation in Swaziland in relation to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Through this and other advocacy activities TAB is encouraging other groups and organisations in the USA to get involved and create similar partnerships.

As the main advocate for global action on HIV/AIDS, UNAIDS leads, strengthens and supports an expanded response aimed at preventing the transmission of HIV, providing care and support, reducing the vulnerability of individuals and communities to HIV/AIDS, and alleviating the impact of the epidemic. The goal of UNAIDS is to catalyse, strengthen and orchestrate the unique expertise, resources, and networks of influence that each of these organizations offers. Working together through UNAIDS, the Cosponsors expand their outreach through strategic alliances with other United Nations agencies, national governments, corporations, media, religious organizations, community-based groups, regional and country networks of people living with HIV/AIDS, and other nongovernmental organizations.

The UN AMICAALL Partnership Programme works closely with UNAIDS at global, regional and national levels to support the work of the Alliance and national AMICAALL programmes.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is a US federal government agency that works to support long-term equitable economic growth and advance US foreign policy objectives. It is the principal US agency to extend assistance to countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms. USAID's HIV/AIDS programmes in Africa aim to increase policymakers' awareness of the impact of HIV/AIDS on their societies, focus on prevention of the infection, create sustainable programmes, and emphasise continual programme monitoring and evaluation.

USAID is providing support to the UN AMICAALL Partnership Programme and the Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders on HIV/AIDS at global and regional levels. Collaboration with USAID has enabled the Alliance of Mayors' Initiative for Community Action on AIDS at the Local Level (AMICAALL) to make steady progress in countries and build foundations for scaling up multisectoral responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic at the local level.

United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a US federal agency, aims to promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury and disability. CDC works towards providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promotes health through strong partnerships. CDC serves as the US focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities.

CDC and the UN AMICAALL Partnership Programme are working together to expand city-to- city cooperation and partnerships between mayors and cities in the United States and Africa, around common concerns regarding HIV/AIDS. The partnership, which was launched in January 2003, aims to mobilise technical and financial support for community based HIV/AIDS-related activities in cities and towns in Africa where AMICAALL programmes are being implemented.

VNG International, STOP AIDS NOW!

VNG International is based at the VNG (Association of Netherlands Municipalities) and responds to requests from developing countries and countries in transition for support in the areas of decentralisation and strengthening local governments and their institutions. STOP AIDS NOW! Foundation is an initiative of the Dutch AIDS Foundation, together with four Dutch development agencies set up to promote and support expanded responses to HIV/AIDS.

A partnership has been developed between VNG International, STOP AIDS NOW!, the Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders on HIV/AIDS in Africa and the UN AMICAALL Partnership Programme. Activities include supporting Alliance and AMICAALL programmes; bringing HIV/AIDS-related issues higher on the municipal agenda in the Netherlands and promoting and supporting city-to-city cooperation between cities and towns in Africa and the Netherlands. This partnership is also being expanded to other regions.

The World Alliance of Cities Against Poverty (WACAP) was set up in 1996, International Year for the Eradication of Poverty, by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The Alliance unites cities that take a public stance against poverty and mobilise all sectors of society, from individuals to governments, to do everything in their power to eliminate poverty at home and abroad.

WACAP members acknowledge that municipalities are on the frontlines in terms of confronting poverty and HIV/AIDS. The UN-AMICAALL Partnership Programme, the Alliance and WACAP work together to raise awareness about the relationship between HIV/AIDS and poverty among WACAP members, and promote cooperation and twinning opportunities.

World Bank Group

The World Bank Group, a co-sponsor of UNAIDS, is one of the world's largest sources of development assistance. It works in more than 100 developing economies with the primary focus of helping the poorest people and the poorest countries. The World Bank, in partnership with others, is working to roll back the spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. As a long-term investor in prevention and mitigation of HIV/AIDS in developing countries, the World Bank is working with its partners to: prevent the further spread of HIV/AIDS among vulnerable groups and in the general population; promote countries' health policies and multi-sectoral approaches; and expand basic care and treatment activities for those affected by HIV/AIDS and their families, as well as for children whose parents have died of AIDS and other vulnerable children.

The UN AMICAALL Partnership Programme is working with the World Bank, to strengthen local government capacity to address HIV/AIDS, assist local governments to access resources, such as those being made available through World Bank lending and grant programmes, and learn and share lessons to enhance decentralised actions on HIV/AIDS at local government levels.