HIV/AIDS & Governance
International Exchange
With Parliamentarians from
Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa
September 20 - October 1, 2004
The fight against HIV/AIDS has evolved from a health crisis to a governance issue that underscores the need for strong democracies with independent branches capable of responding to the challenges the disease presents. Democracy, and with it, good governance are required to treat millions affected by the pandemic, and more importantly, help prevent the disease from spreading.
IRI hosted a delegation of African Parliamentarians from Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa for an international exchange where they examined the linkages between HIV/AIDS and Governance. The IRI delegation spent two weeks - one in Washington, DC and one in Atlanta, GA - examining the roles of legislators in fighting HIV/AIDS.
While in Washington, the delegation held meetings with members of Congress, government agencies, community leaders, and non-governmental organizations to look at the U.S. Federal Government's response to HIV/AIDS in America as well as at the District of Columbia's response to the problem.
Click here to see photos from the MPs' visits in Washington.
The second week was spent in Atlanta, GA where the MPs held similar meetings with local legislators, community leaders, civic organizations, and grassroots community organizations where the participants learned about local governance and community responses to AIDS.
Click here to see photos from the MPs' visits in Atlanta.
Throughout the two weeks, the MPs shared experiences and lessons learned as a group, forging relationships with their counterparts in other African Parliaments.
At the conclusion of the tour, the Parliamentarians presented to an audience of relevant experts their ideas for HIV/AIDS policies in their home countries. A video of the final Panel Discussion by the delegates can be viewed by clicking here.
Participants were selected to represent diverse backgrounds and multiple political parties within each country. IRI recruited both men and women; persons with different regional, ethnic, and religious backgrounds; and MPs with various levels of political experience. Not only did IRI focus on bringing prominent MPs who are renowned for being vocal on HIV/AIDS issues, but the Institute engaged MPs who will be inspired by the study tour to expand their AIDS activism.
Through their interactions with colleagues in the U.S., participants gained new insight to help them utilize their role as legislators to prevent transmission, encourage testing, allocate resources for treatment, guarantee treatment and care for the affected, and provide oversight. The sheer scope of the disease has tested the democratic foundations of the affected countries and now requires legislators to draft laws necessary to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and treat those affected by the virus. This newly emerging link between HIV/AIDS and governance underscores the need for strong democracies as a precursor to the disease’s demise.
To view the extensive biographies of the delegates, please click here
This program is made possible with a grant from the
U.S. State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
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A nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing democracy worldwide
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