Training on human rights-based approaches to programming
1-3 December
On 1-3 December 2008, PIHHR staff members Dina Bogecho and Zyde Raad, in collaboration with UNFPA staff, conducted a pilot test of PIHHR and UNFPA training materials on 'A Human Rights-Based Approach to Programming' in Tunis, Tunisia. There were about 40 participants in total, all from the Arab region.Although the pilot test was targeted primarily towards UNFPA staff, the workshop was attended by a number of UNFPA consultants, as well as staff and consultants of the Center for Arab Women's Training and Research (CAWTAR). There were about 40 participants in total, all from the Arab region. The objectives of the training were to 1. Train UNFPA staff on the human rights-based approach to programming within UNFPA; 2. Facilitate the process by which UNFPA staff will engage in human rights-based programming; and 3. Pilot test training materials and gather information for training material revisions, ensuring that the materials
meet the needs of UNFPA staff.
"HIV, Health and Human Rights: The Legacy of Jonathan Mann Today"
24 November
This event was held in honour of Jonathan Mann and the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The evening featured remarks by Peter Piot, Executive Director, UNAIDS, and Navanethem Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Sofia Gruskin, amongst others, also gave remarks. For more information and to watch the event online, click here.
UNAIDS Reference Group on HIV and Human Rights meeting
24-26 November
In November 2008, Sofia Gruskin attended the Ninth Meeting of the UNAIDS Reference Group on HIV and Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland. Twelve years into the existence of UNAIDS and at a time of change in leadership, this meeting focused on what UNAIDS and its partners can be doing to best support a rights-based approach to HIV. Based on discussions at this meeting, the Group is forming a set of recommendations to the incoming Executive Director of UNAIDS. For more information, click here.
UNAIDS Monitoring and Evaluation Reference Group (MERG) meeting
17-21 November
In November 2008, Sofia Gruskin attended the Twelfth Meeting of the UNAIDS Monitoring and Evaluation Reference Group (MERG) in Lugano, Switzerland. This meeting brought together inter-governmental agencies, governments and policy makers, scholars and researchers to discuss such issues as indicator standards, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation as relates to key populations, and prevention evaluation.
The State of the Art of Health and Human Rights at University of São Paulo
27-31 October
In November 2008, Sofia Gruskin spoke at a seminar on the State of the Art of Health and Human Rights at the University of São Paulo in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The seminar was organized by the Human Rights and Education for Peace and Tolerance Program, a collaboration between UNESCO and the Institute of Advanced Studies of the University of São Paulo. Her presentation, titled "Human Rights and Health: Recognized Linkages, Political Controversies and (some) Evidentiary Efforts," was part of celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 20th anniversary of the Brazilian Constitution, and 120th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Brazil. It marked the first time that health was a major theme of the Human Rights and Education for Peace and Tolerance Program's activities.
Harvard University Global Health Week
12 November
In November 2008, PIHHR Project Manager Dina Bogecho spoke at the Harvard University Global Health Forum. The event was part of Global Health Week, organized by the Global Health Forum and the Harvard College Women's Center. Ms. Bogecho was part of a panel on women's health in the developing world, and spoke on the topic of: "Women, HIV and Human Rights".
Technical Update and Orientation Session on Child Health and Human Rights Work
27-31 October
In October 2008, PIHHR Program Manager Zyde Raad held a technical update and orientation session at WHO’s Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development (WHO/CAH) in Geneva. The technical update focused on progress regarding ongoing collaborations between PIHHR and WHO/CAH, including a working paper on essential medicines and the rights of the child and a Child Rights Situation Analysis Tool for strategic planning in countries. The orientation session aimed to familiarize the department with the content and application of the Child Rights Checklist, a tool which assists the department in practically integrating human rights norms and standards into their work. It also served as an opportunity to present findings and revisions based on the field test of the checklist tool in Guyana. Individual meetings were also held with WHO/CAH colleagues to obtain feedback on the Child Rights Situation Analysis Tool, including planning for an upcoming field test.
"Brazilian Response to HIV/AIDS: Achievements and Challenges
Insights from a University HIV Care Center"
21 October
The Program on International Health and Human Rights and the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies (DRCLAS) co-sponsored a special presentation by Visiting Research Fellow Aluisio Segurado, Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo.
The success of the Brazilian response to HIV/AIDS is well known. However, prevention and care interventions, including universal access to antiretroviral therapy, may not equally benefit all affected population groups. Professor Segurado discussed the factors that may account for such inequalities, as well as new important demands that have been recognized at the HIV care provision level.
IAC Mexico City 2008: A Retrospective
16 October
The Program on International Health and Human Rights and AIDS Tank co-sponsored a special presentation by Project Manager Dina Bogecho and Program Manager Zyde Raad at the Harvard School of Public Health. Bogecho and Raad spoke about policy developments and themes of the 2008 International AIDS Conference in Mexico City and engaged in discussion with the HSPH community about these issues.
HIV Center Grand Rounds Lecture Series in New York
2 October
Sofia Gruskin spoke at the HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University as part of the Grand Rounds Lecture Series, which provides ongoing education for behavioral scientists, public health scientists, clinicians and caregivers, community based service providers, and students and fellows. Her presentation titled "The Global Response to HIV: Trends in Attention to Human Rights" explored various assessments of the extent to which human rights are integrated into the HIV response. In particular, Gruskin used findings from the monitoring and evaluation of the 2001 United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) Declaration of Commitment (DOC) to discuss whether international and national legal and policy environments are helpful or harmful for protecting human rights and for supporting effective AIDS programs.
To access a podcast of her presentation, click here.
Meetings in London on the UN Right-to-Health Mandate
25-27 September
Sofia Gruskin traveled to London to participate in two meetings convened by the Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex and partners. In conjunction with the appointment of the new Special Rapporteur on the right to the highest attainable standard of health, these meetings brought together key stakeholders in the field of health and human rights, including scholars, researchers, activists and policy makers.
Anand Grover recently succeeded Paul Hunt as the Special Rapporteur on the right to the highest attainable standard of health and thus the meetings provided a timely opportunity to review progress and obstacles and discuss future strategies and developments regarding the UN right-to-health mandate. The first workshop co-organised by UNFPA and Human Rights Centre, University of Essex focused on International Assistance and Cooperation for Sexual and Reproductive Health: A Human Rights Responsibility. Gruskin served as chair of a session on donor efforts towards promotion and protection of sexual and reproductive health rights. The second meeting jointly sponsored by the International Federation of Health and Human Rights Organisations (IFHHRO) and Essex University entitled "The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health: Looking Back and Moving Forward," took a comprehensive view of the mandate, and in 2 full days of sessions shed light on the role of health workers in relation to the right to the highest attainable standard of health generally and the Special Rapporteur's mandate specifically. Gruskin served as facilitator and resources person for several sessions.
For more information and to access the provisional agenda, click here.
International Experiences in the Defenese of Human Rights and HIV/AIDS: Lessons Learned
25-26 Septebmer
In September 2008, Project Manager Dina Bogecho traveled to Madrid, Spain to speak at the conference on Experiencias Internacionales en la Defensa de Derechos Humanos y VIH/SIDA: Lecciones Aprendidas (International Experiences in Defense of Human Rights and HIV/AIDS: Lessons Learned), which was organized by the Observatorio de Derechos Humanos y VIH/SIDA (The Obervatory of Human Rights and HIV/AIDS). Her talk, “Stigma and Discrimination – Understanding the legal and programmatic issues” discussed the difference between ‘stigma’ and ‘discrimination’ in the context of HIV and AIDS and articulated the definition of ‘discrimination’ under international human rights law.
For more information, click here.
Training for UNFPA headquarter staff on human rights-based approaches to programming
17-19 Septebmer
Dina Bogecho, Sofia Gruskin and Zyde Raad conducted a pilot test of PIHHR and UNFPA training materials on ‘Human Rights-Based Approaches to Programming’ for approximately 20 UNFPA headquarter staff. The three day training took place in Princeton, New Jersey and was structured to support a human-rights based approach to UNFPA’s work in population and development, gender equality and sexual and reproductive health.
XVII International AIDS Conference
3-8 August
The Program on International Health and Human Rights was actively involved in the XVII International AIDS Conference. This year's conference was held in Mexico City, Mexico from 3-8 August 2008.
To find out more about the our participation in the conference, click here.
Monitoring and Evaluation of Human Rights in the Response to HIV, Workshop and Training
25-26 June
Research Manager Laura Ferguson facilitated a workshop and training on Monitoring and Evaluation of Human Rights in the Response to HIV. AIDS and Rights Alliance of Southern Africa (ARASA) organized the two-day meeting. Participants were NGO representatives from throughout the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Ms. Ferguson facilitated the workshop, providing training on rights-based approaches, human rights indicators and working with participants to develop their own monitoring and evaluation plans.
United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS
9-11 June
PIHHR participated in the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS. The purpose of this meeting was to review progress towards the implementation of the 2001 Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the 2006 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS. Staff also engaged in preparatory civil society meetings prior to the conference.
"Operationalizing Child Rights: What does this mean for the work of WHO? Using Human Rights Tools to Strengthen Child Health Programs"
7 May
Presentation by Program Manager Zyde Raad.
Vietnam AIDS Policy and Planning Project, Senior Level Trainings in Nghe An Province
12-15 May
Sofia Gruskin participated in senior level trainings in Nghe An Province in Vietnam as a part of the Vietnam AIDS Policy and Planning Project. The goal of the training was to develop the capacity of government officials, including those from inside and outside the health sector, to respond successfully to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The training builds on ongoing efforts supporting Vietnam's political leaders to put in place effective planning and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for an effective rights-based and multi-sectoral AIDS response, including the contributions of NGOs, civil society and the private sector. The course curriculum has been developed by a team of Boston based faculty from PIHHR, Boston University’s Center for International Health and Development, Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard Medical School’s Division of AIDS, and Abt Associates of Cambridge.
“Operationalizing a Human Rights-Based Approach to Programming in Sexual and Reproductive Health: Translating Human Rights Theory into Practical Programming”
8 April
Presentation by Project Manager Dina Bogecho.
PIHHR Staff Conduct NCPI Country Case Studies in Brazil and Vietnam
April and May
As part of the debriefing process on the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS (UNGASS) 2008 reporting round, PIHHR is carrying out three country case studies focusing on the National Composite Policy Index (NCPI) element of the UNGASS report.
In April and May 2008, Sofia Gruskin and Laura Ferguson travelled to Brazil to conduct initial research. They reviewed relevant documents and interviewed representatives governments, NGOs and international agencies involved in Brazil's and Vietnam's 2008 reporting process. The case study captures some of the benefits and challenges of NCPI reporting and responding to HIV/AIDS within different country contexts and aims to inform specific recommendations on improving reporting guidance for the next UNGASS round in 2010.
PIHHR Staff Meet with Researchers at the Brazilian Nucleus for AIDS Prevention Studies at the University of São Paulo
April
In April 2008, Sofia Gruskin and Laura Ferguson traveled to Brazil and Vietnam to meet with researchers at the Brazilian Nucleus for AIDS Prevention Studies at the University of São Paulo to build on the existing collaboration in the area of HIV and AIDS. This included: peer reviewing ongoing work of students and faculty at the University of São Paulo, engaging in the drafting of relevant articles to be submitted for publication, presenting the work of PIHHR relevant to faculty and student interest, and planning grants and other activities intended to support continuing collaboration with Brazilian colleagues. In addition, Sofia and Laura visited the Brazilian DRCLAS office and the Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo.
A Human Rights-Based Approach to Programming: Practical Implementation Guide and Training Materials, Meeting to Finalize Manual Content
19-21 March
PIHHR Staff facilitated a meeting in Boston, MA USA regarding the joint project with UNFPA CGHRB, “A Human Rights-Based Approach to Programming: Practical Implementation Guide and Training Materials”. Experts from PIHHR and UNFPA came together to review and finalize the content of the manual.
"Provider Initiated HIV Testing and Counseling in Health Facilities – What Does this Mean for the Health and Human Rights of Pregnant Women?"
26 February
Presentation by Research Manager Laura Ferguson.
Co-sponsored with the HSPH Student AIDS Tank.
Field test of the Child Rights Checklist for the Development of CAH Tools and Documents
21-28 February
Program Manager Zyde Raad conducted a field test of the Child Rights Checklist for the Development of CAH Tools and Documents as part of an evaluation of the national child health program in Georgetown, Guyana, in conjunction with WHO/CAH, Pan American Health Organization, and Guyana Minstry of Health. This checklist tool designed by PIHHR is to be used by WHO staff or consultants to systematically and practically integrate relevant Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) norms and standards as they draft and revise their own tools, guidelines, and other documents. The field test validated the added value of the checklist tool in terms of guiding the systematic consideration of the following issues when conducting child health program reviews in countries: participation of key actors and dissemination of review findings to relevant stakeholders; budgeting and costing for child health; programming for vulnerable sub-groups of children; vital registration systems; and the legal and policy environment more generally.
To read the report, click here.
Leveraging Human Rights Approaches to Improve Access to HIV Treatment and Family Planning and Other Reproductive Health Services
29 January
Presentation and discussion with Program Director Sofia Gruskin and Kelly Blanchard, President of IBIS Reproductive Health.
Co-sponsored with the Group on Reproductive Health and Rights at the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies.
Vietnam AIDS Policy and Planning Project, Senior Level Trainings in Can Tho and An Giang Provinces, Vietnam
January 2008
Sofia Gruskin participated in senior level trainings in Can Tho and An Giang provinces in VietNam as a part of the Vietnam AIDS Policy and Planning Project. The goal of the training was to develop the capacity of government officials, including those from inside and outside the health sector, to respond successfully to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The training builds on ongoing efforts supporting Vietnam's political leaders to put in place effective planning and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for an effective rights-based and multi-sectoral AIDS response, including the contributions of NGOs, civil society and the private sector. The course curriculum has been developed by a team of Boston based faculty from PIHHR, Boston University’s Center for International Health and Development, Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard Medical School’s Division of AIDS, and Abt Associates of Cambridge.
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