Hot Off The Press

A new study, released by Coxswain Social Investment, finds football programs are uniquely successful in preventing the spread of HIV.

The study, "Using Football for HIV/AIDS Prevention in Africa," was conducted in the months leading up to the World Cup. The question for the researchers was, "Football has tremendous convening power, but do football-based programs really make a difference in preventing HIV?" According to the study, the answer is unequivocally - yes. [download the full report]

Additional Resources: Press Release; Football for HIV Prevention Fact Sheet; Report Q&A

CSI+ Instrumental in Coordinating African Development Bank Event

Within the framework of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group Annual Meetings in Abidjan on May 24, 2010, high-level government officials and civil society leaders called on women to take leadership roles in peace-building efforts during a side event titled Women in Fragile States: Active Agents of Change.

Fragile states pose a unique development challenge and specifically as relates to women’s empowerment. Historical practices of exclusion, gender based violence, and displacement have created large gender gaps in education, employment opportunities, access to and management of natural resources, and political representation. The Government of Norway and AfDB, working with CSI+, structured the side event to initiate a dialogue on women’s roles in the context of fragile states and to propose concrete actions that governments, the Bank, and other partners can take to empower women and increase women’s participation in conflict resolution and post-conflict situations.

Panelists

Among the personalities gathering to present their perspectives on this important topic were:

  • Dr. Donald Kaberuka, President, African Development Bank Group
  • H.E. Ms. Ingrid Fiskaa, Norwegian State Secretary, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • H.E. Mr. Sheku S. Sesay, Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone
  • Dr. Saran Daraba Kaba, President, Mano River Women’s Peace-building Network

    Following welcoming remarks by Ms. Sunita Pitamber, Manager of the AfDB Poverty Reduction and Social Protection Division, Ms. Yvonne Ndege, Africa Correspondent for Al Jazeera Television, moderated the discussion. The audience of approximately 150 people included members of the Bank’s Board of Governors, Executive Directors, Alternate Directors, Advisors, Vice Presidents, technical staff, member country delegations, civil society, and the media.

    Call to Action

    The call came at the end of discussions to increase women’s participation in peace and security efforts. Their role is all the more important given that 70% of the victims of conflict are civilians, with women and children constituting the majority. Recommendations from the discussion will be used to provide input to the mid-term review of UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1889 on women, peace, and security.

    CSI+ has a distinguished record of delivering technical expertise in gender issues as well as professional events management services to international organizations, civil society and the private sector.

    CSI+ Conducts Resource Mobilization Trainings For WHO/AFRO

    CSI+ has over the last several months facilitated a series of 3-day Resource Mobilization workshops for WHO teams in Burkina Faso (Ouagadougou), Gabon (Libreville), Zimbabwe (Harare) and the WHO/AFRO regional office in Congo (Brazzaville).

    Evidence shows that immunization remains one of the single most effective and cost-efficient health interventions ever. Despite decades of know-how and evidence, however, immunization rates remain low in most sub-Saharan countries and initiatives lack adequate funding. With only 5 years to go before 2015, many developing and developed country governments are looking for progress on the MDGs and strategic investments in areas contributing the most to internationally recognized goals. Strong voices are needed to strategically position WHO in general and immunization in particular vis-à-vis these country level constructs.

    Objectives

    The objectives of the 3-day workshop were to give Resource Mobilization skills and exposure to WHO staff and to couple this with long term follow up and individual coaching to enable each workshop participant to achieve their Resource Mobilization objectives. Emphasis was placed on strategic planning proposal writing and positioning elements, as well as Aid Alignment and Harmonization.

    Participant Feedback

    Overall the workshops were a success and very much appreciated by WHO staff:

    “This workshop was of very high quality. The facilitators exceeded my expectations.”

    CSI+ has developed a strong reputation for delivering professional and engaging training courses tailored to meet the exact needs and expectations of its clients, whether they are new entrepreneurs or well-established international development agencies. Each CSI trainer is highly qualified and considered a leading expert in their field. Past trainings and workshops have, among other topics, focused on:

  • Women in Business Training
  • Negotiation Skills Training
  • Leadership Development
  • Project Design and Management
  • Results-Based Management and Financing