Partners Forum Members

Dear Partners Forum Members,

Greetings! We would like to give you an update on the activities we have implemented since the launch of the Partners Forum last December.

The work to fulfill the decisions we decided upon at the launch is challenging as we are exploring new territory in launching such a partnership.

We are happy to report the following:

A.) Developing the Partners Forum Infrastructure

1. Commitment to Action Approved: How to Join

A nominal membership fee presented on December 4 for 2010 is contingent to signing the Commitment to Action. The Interim Steering Group will approve a definitive structure for membership contributions.

2. Establishing the Interim Steering Group by end of May 

As discussed on December 4, those interested members that will sign up by April 30th will be eligible for the establishment of the Interim Steering Group.
 
The group members, whose composition responds to the principle of ensuring balance of all the represented interests, will have to work out the key arrangements (terms of reference, resource mobilization framework and strategy, agenda for 2010/2012) to move the Forum to operationalization by end of 2010.
 
3. Working Group Activities have Started

Healthy Diet/Salt Reduction, Healthy Workplaces and Access to Health Services Working Groups have begun to prioritize their action plans for 2010. PAHO/WHO is facilitating to organize and initiate their activities. Their work will represent models to activate the other Working Groups by May 2010.

4. Establishing the Secretariat

We are in the process of establishing the Secretariat for PAHO/WHO to provide the support for the implementation of the Partners Forum. This includes organizational structure, staff, roles and responsibilities, timeline, tools for working groups and expertise to guide the process.

As a reminder on how the Partners Forum will operate, we are sharing the diagram below, which shows how it will be divided into Regional and Sub-regional activities and further supported by Working Groups.

B.) Building internal and external capacity to Partner

 
1. Training in Partnership and Negotiation Skills – WDC, May    2010

We are holding a training in WDC on May 10-13. Its aim is to provide the working group facilitators with the appropriate expertise to broker partnerships at the tables. The training is part of a broader program that PAHO/WHO will deliver in 2010/ 2011 to build capacity to partner among its staff and external partners as well.
 
2. Designing a Toolkit for Countries

Together with PAHO/WHO’s External Relations, we have kicked off a project to design a toolkit/guidelines for in-country implementation of multi-stakeholder activities. The toolkit will provide appropriate guidance to countries in how to prioritize the process, to identify and engage stakeholders, how to manage dialogue with different sectors. It is meant to boost the effectiveness of activities that working groups are launching at regional level.
 
3. Strengthening PAHO/WHO’s Technical Leadership

We are working to embed the Partners Forum and its multi-stakeholder approach more strongly within the Organization to leverage its expertise and resources to further support the PF agenda. One example is the engagement of PAHO/WHO’s Chronic Disease Team to facilitate working groups.

4) Developments from countries

Trinidad and Tobago and US Mexico-Border ready to launch

Trinidad and Tobago forum will be launched on March 10 – following preliminary meetings and process that we supported in December 2009. US Mexico Border will follow in May 7th.     

The agenda we have ahead is broad and the challenge of developing such an initiative is unique.
 
Do expect a further communication from us before the end of April. In the meantime, we are available to share on the above.
 
Best Regards,
  
C. James Hospedales
Coordinator
Prevention & Control of Chronic Diseases
PAHO/WHO
525 23rd St., NW
Washington DC, 20037, USA
(202) 974 3695
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partnersforum.org

 
Silvia Scopelliti
Partnership Manager
The Partners Forum for Action on Chronic Disease
PAHO/WHO
525 23rd Str., NW
Washington DC, 20037, USA
(202) 974 3642
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partnersforum.org