<html><head><style type='text/css'>p { margin: 0; }</style></head><body><div style='font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: #000000'><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><style>p { margin: 0; }</style><div style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><style>p { margin: 0; }</style><div style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><style>p { margin: 0; }</style><div style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<p class="MsoNormal">Dear colleagues,</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p>We have just made it easier for you to sign on.<p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal">AAI has distilled the full Civil Society African Common Position
on ICPD into a<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 134, 134);"> <span style="font-weight: bold;">2 page Key Messages Brief!</span></span> <br></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal">Have a look at the brief below and attached before you check out the full
doc and sign on here: <a href="http://aidsaccountability.org/?p=8310" target="_blank">http://aidsaccountability.org/?p=8310</a></p>
<br><br>
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<p class="AAIHeading1"><font size="4"><span lang="EN-US">Key Messages of the Civil Society African
Common Position Paper on the International Conference on Population Development
(ICPD)</span></font></p>
</div>
<p class="1AAIICPDACPNumbered1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><font size="4"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span></font></p>
<p class="1AAIICPDACPNumbered1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><span style="">1.<span style=""> </span></span><span lang="EN-ZA">Human</span><span style=""> Rights</span></font></p>
<p class="2aAAIICPDACPNumbered2heading" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; color: rgb(128, 128, 128);"><span lang="EN-GB">The document is fundamentally based on human
rights. This means that the main objective of all development policies and
programmes and their implementation must be to respect, protect and fulfil
human rights for all.</span></p>
<p class="1AAIICPDACPNumbered1" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span></p>
<p class="2AAIICPDACPNumberedlevel2" style=""><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="">1.1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Demography and population
growth:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> The document clearly addresses the
potential abuses of demographic and population growth policies and strategies
that ignore the human rights of individuals. It also demands that all
population growth and structure, and demographic work is approached with a
human rights and gender responsive lens. It requests guarantees that policies
to address high fertility and rapid population growth will focus on enlarging,
not restricting, individual choices and opportunities. Clear policy guidelines
must be developed and implemented so as to ensure that human rights and gender
responsive lens is used through to clinic level so that abuse and
misinterpretation does not occur.</span></p>
<p class="2AAIICPDACPNumberedlevel2" style=""><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="">1.2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style=""><span lang="EN-GB">All vulnerable people
included:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> The document identifies vulnerable and
key affected populations that require better inclusion and more focussed
policies, programming and implementation in order to realize their full
socio-economic and civil and political rights and freedoms. It acknowledges the
role of both the vulnerable and the role of the already empowered and that they
need to engage in promoting equality, equity and empowerment for all. </span></p>
<p class="2AAIICPDACPNumberedlevel2" style=""><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="">1.3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Duty-bearers and
rights-holders:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> Both duty-bearers and
rights-holders are identified throughout the document as a means to better
identify the needs and entitlements of the former, and the obligations and
duties of the latter. It also speaks to where capacity is lacking in order to
empower the latter to hold the former accountable.</span></p>
<p class="1AAIICPDACPNumbered1" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span></p>
<p class="1AAIICPDACPNumbered1" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><span style=""><span style="">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="">Accountability
and Transparency</span></font></p>
<p class="2aAAIICPDACPNumbered2heading" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; color: rgb(128, 128, 128);"><span lang="EN-GB">The document highlights the need for
accountability which can be gained from collective transparency, open dialogue
and greater focus on implementation and action with the attainment of human
rights for all as the ultimate goal.</span></p>
<p class="1AAIICPDACPNumbered1" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span></p>
<p class="2AAIICPDACPNumberedlevel2" style=""><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="">2.1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Reporting:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> To report in a timely manner, accurately and transparently on
progress made. To ensure that monitoring and accountability mechanisms adopt a
systemic and sustained human rights approach towards the implementation of the
ICPD, Maputo Plan of Action (MPOA) and other relevant commitments;</span></p>
<p class="2AAIICPDACPNumberedlevel2" style=""><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="">2.2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Quality of data:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> To improve the quality of reporting by improving data, increasing
quality and quantity of responses in reporting documents, using a collaborative
process with civil society for the completion of reports, and ensuring appropriately
disaggregated data is available and included in reporting.<span style=""> </span></span></p>
<p class="2AAIICPDACPNumberedlevel2" style=""><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="">2.3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Dialogue between
government and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs):</span></b><span lang="EN-GB">
Use open dialogue between government, civil society and policy organs, to
create more discussion around current status, national responses and challenges
surrounding the attainment of universal access to sexual and reproductive
health and rights (SRHR) and health services on the continent.</span></p>
<p class="1AAIICPDACPNumbered1" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span></p>
<p class="1AAIICPDACPNumbered1" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><span style=""><span style="">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="">Focus on
Implementation</span></font></p>
<p class="2aAAIICPDACPNumbered2heading" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; color: rgb(128, 128, 128);"><span lang="EN-GB">The document highlights the need for a “less
talk, more action” stance. This includes a focus on implementation of budget,
human resource development and improved national ownership rather than policy
and/or commitment development.</span></p>
<p class="1AAIICPDACPNumbered1" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span></p>
<p class="2AAIICPDACPNumberedlevel2" style=""><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="">3.1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Budget allocation and
spending:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> To boost funding for health, especially
SRHR, by implementing the commitment made in Abuja to dedicate 15% of national
budget to health. In addition, the document calls for implementation of the
MPOA commitment to allocate 15% of health budget to family planning
commodities. It is important to also identify alternative funding sources.
There is a need to improve monitoring and evaluation and financial controls of
existing budgets and expenditures;</span></p>
<p class="2AAIICPDACPNumberedlevel2" style=""><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="">3.2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Focus on African capacity:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> To allocate budget and implement capacity building for health
systems strengthening through improved human resources. This is for health
staff as well as national institutions, community systems and Ministry of
Health staff. It is necessary to mount evidence-informed and rights-based
responses, whilst also working on retaining existing staff, improving the
existing quality of training and promoting South-South cooperation.</span></p>
<p class="2AAIICPDACPNumberedlevel2" style=""><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="">3.3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Leadership and national
ownership:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> To commit to an all-inclusive and
accountable leadership that ensures integration of SRHR into national
development instruments. Leaders must also create space for national debate on
priorities, strategic investments, social protection and legal measures.
Leaders are required to create and adhere to good governance practices in all
aspects of health systems strengthening.</span></p>
<p class="1AAIICPDACPNumbered1" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span></p>
<p class="1AAIICPDACPNumbered1" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><font size="4"><span style=""><span style="">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span lang="EN-ZA">Future</span><span style=""> forward</span></font></p>
<p class="2aAAIICPDACPNumbered2heading" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; color: rgb(128, 128, 128);"><span lang="EN-GB">The document highlights the possibilities
available to us as well as the need for innovative, modern and cutting edge
knowledge, attitudes, decisions and strategies to be used in strengthening
African health systems.<span style=""> </span></span></p>
<p class="1AAIICPDACPNumbered1" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span></p>
<p class="2AAIICPDACPNumberedlevel2" style=""><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="">4.1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Technology:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> Use of innovative technologies, up to date knowledge, scientific
and evidence-based decision-making to ensure that health systems are modern,
sustainable, and intelligent. Decisions must be based on cutting edge
philosophies and forward-looking thinking. We should be including newly
developed yet proven safe services and commodities. </span></p>
<p class="2AAIICPDACPNumberedlevel2" style=""><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="">4.2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Quality and acceptability
of services and commodities:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> ensure that sexual and
reproductive health services and commodities are high-quality, available,
accessible, and acceptable to all people. Ensure that the widest range of
services and commodities and innovative technologies are provided as part of
the modern health system.</span></p>
<p class="2AAIICPDACPNumberedlevel2" style=""><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><span style="">4.3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style=""><span lang="EN-GB">Protect the population’s
human rights:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> Prioritise human rights in sexual and
reproductive health programmes by guaranteeing that services are designed to
respond to individual’s health needs. This includes overcoming barriers faced
by marginalized groups. This must be done through service provision that is
free from stigma, coercion, discrimination and violence, based on full and
informed consent, and that affirms the right to pleasure and thus looks to an
African future for health systems based on human rights.</span></p>
<p class="AAIICPDHeading2" style="margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-ZA"> </span></p>
<p class="999AAIICPDACPRegulartext" style="text-align: left;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 15pt; color: rgb(253, 111, 74);" lang="EN-US"><a href="http://aidsaccountability.org/?page_id=7335" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: rgb(253, 111, 74);">For more information, the full Civil Society African Common
Position Paper and contact details click here</span></a></span></b></p><p class="999AAIICPDACPRegulartext" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><br><b style=""><span style="font-size: 15pt; color: rgb(253, 111, 74);" lang="EN-US"><a href="http://aidsaccountability.org/?page_id=7335" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: rgb(253, 111, 74);"></span></a></span></b></p><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT2482_com_zimbra_url"><a href="http://aidsaccountability.org/?p=8279" style="color: rgb(223, 1, 0); text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Agora disponível em português!</a></span><br>
<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: inline ! important; float: none;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span>
<h3 style="margin: 0px 0px 0.4em; padding: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT2483_com_zimbra_url"></span></h3><h3 style="margin: 0px 0px 0.4em; padding: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 16px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT2483_com_zimbra_url"><a href="http://aidsaccountability.org/?p=8274" style="color: rgb(223, 1, 0); text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Maintenant disponible en français!</a></span></h3><br><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); display: inline ! important; float: none;"></span><a href="http://aidsaccountability.org/?p=8285" target="_blank">متوفر الآن باللغة العربية</a><br><br>
<br><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><style>p { margin: 0pt; }</style><div style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><font style="color: rgb(255, 134, 134);" size="5"><span style="font-style: italic;">UPDATE 25 April 2013: <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT2484_com_zimbra_date">W</span>e have over <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">100</span> civil society organizations signed on and we are not stopping yet! </span></font><br><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">____________________________________________________________________</span><br style="color: rgb(255, 134, 134);"><br>Dear Colleagues,<br><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br><font style="font-weight: bold;" size="3"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">We
have finally completed the Civil Society African Common Position on the
International Conference on Population Development (ICPD)!</span></font><br><br>As many of you know<span style="" lang="EN-US"> in 2012, AIDS Accountability International (AAI) and The African Union Commission (AUC)
recognised the need for greater African civil society organisation (CSO)
representation in the International Conference on Population Development (ICPD)
process.</span>
<p class="AAIRegular"><span style="" lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p style="font-style: italic;" class="AAIRegular"><span style="" lang="EN-US">It
was decided to create the African Common Position (ACP) on ICPD to
reflect and include the perspectives, recommendations and expertise of African
stakeholders. </span></p>
<p class="AAIRegular"><span style="" lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="AAIRegular"><span lang="EN-US">The Civil Society African Common Position on ICPD
contains a set of recommendations which are aimed at national governments so
as to address population and development issues. <span style=""> </span>It will form part of the Regional Conference
on Population and Development in September in Addis Ababa, where Ministers in
charge of Population will adopt the continental report on ICPD @ 20 African
Common Position once reviewed by the AUC and the African Union Ministers in
charge of population. </span></p>
<p class="AAIRegular"><span style="" lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
<p class="AAIRegular"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Upon
approval the final version of the ACP will be taken to the General Assembly in
2014 at the ICPD Review as the principal document that reflects the African
position on ICPD as we go forward.</span></p><br><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT2485_com_zimbra_url"><a href="http://aidsaccountability.org/?page_id=7335" target="_blank">Read the full document here</a></span><br><br><span style="" lang="EN-US">We are deeply grateful to Ford Foundation South Africa for their support of this work. </span><p class="AAIRegular"><br><span style="" lang="EN-US"></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 134, 134);" class="AAIRegular"><font size="5"><span style="" lang="EN-US">SIGN-ON</span></font></p><p class="AAIRegular"><br><span style="" lang="EN-US"></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="AAIRegular"><span style="" lang="EN-US"><font size="3">To sign on and endorse the Civil Society African Common Position please push reply/send an email to <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT2486_com_zimbra_email">phillipa@aidsaccountability.org</span></font></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="AAIRegular"><span style="" lang="EN-US"></span></p><p class="AAIRegular"><br><span style="" lang="EN-US"></span></p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" class="AAIRegular"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Endorsements
from around the world will be included, however individuals and
organisations from Africa will be placed on a separate list from those
from non-African countries.<br></span></p><p class="AAIRegular"><br><span style="" lang="EN-US"></span></p><p class="AAIRegular"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Name:</span></p><p class="AAIRegular"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Position/Job title: <br></span></p><p class="AAIRegular"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Organisation:</span></p><p class="AAIRegular"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Nationality:</span></p><p class="AAIRegular"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Country:</span></p><p class="AAIRegular"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Email:</span></p><p class="AAIRegular"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Website:</span></p><p class="AAIRegular"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Telephone:<br></span></p><p class="AAIRegular"><br><span style="" lang="EN-US"></span></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(128, 128, 128);" class="AAIRegular"><font size="4"><span style="" lang="EN-US">Many thanks</span> to all of you who contributed to making this a true reflection of African voices!</font></p><p class="AAIRegular"><br></p><p class="AAIRegular">Please note: Minor errors and omissions can still be included. Please send to <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT2487_com_zimbra_email">phillipa@aidsaccountability.org</span></p><p class="AAIRegular"><br></p><p class="AAIRegular"><span style="font-style: italic;">APOLOGIES FOR CROSS-POSTING</span><br></p><p class="AAIRegular"><br></p><p class="AAIRegular">Warmest regards,</p><p class="AAIRegular"><br></p><p class="AAIRegular">Phillipa<br></p><br><br><div><span></span><font style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" face="tahoma, new york, times, serif" size="1">Phillipa Tucker</font><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><font face="tahoma, new york, times, serif" size="1">Executive Director</font></div>
<div style="font-weight: bold;"><font face="tahoma, new york, times, serif" size="1"><font>AIDS </font><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Accountability</span> International</font></div><font style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" face="tahoma, new york, times, serif" size="1">102 Greenmarket Place, 54
Shortmarket Street <br>
Cape Town 8000 <br>South Africa</font><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><font face="tahoma, new york, times, serif" size="1">Tel: +27 (0)21 424 2057</font></div>
<font style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" face="tahoma, new york, times, serif" size="1">Mobile: +27 (0)82 225 1598<br>Email: phillipa<span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT83_com_zimbra_email">@aidsaccountability.org</span> </font><span></span></div></div></div></div></div><p class="999AAIICPDACPRegulartext" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><br><b style=""><span style="font-size: 15pt; color: rgb(253, 111, 74);" lang="EN-US"><a href="http://aidsaccountability.org/?page_id=7335" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: rgb(253, 111, 74);"></span></a></span></b></p><p class="999AAIICPDACPRegulartext" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 15pt; color: rgb(253, 111, 74);" lang="EN-US"><a href="http://aidsaccountability.org/?page_id=7335" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: rgb(253, 111, 74);"></span></a></span></b></p>
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