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Meeting of JLICA Steering Committee and Learning Groups in Durban, South Africa, March 7-10, 2007.
Following Learning Group workshops and plenary sessions on March 7 and March 8 in Durban, South Africa, the JLICA Steering Committee met on March 9 and March 10. The meetings were led by Initiative Co-Chairs Peter Bell and Agnes Binagwaho and included Learning Group Co-Chairs, founding partners, and donors. Steering Committee participants arrived at a consensus that a guiding principle for JLICA is universal access to essential services for children, families and communities affected by HIV/AIDS. Participants agreed that families and community networks in the hardest-hit areas are under increasing strain, and that new strategies are needed to deliver resources and support to vulnerable children, their families and communities. Broad approval emerged for the idea that health care, education, and social welfare must converge in order to overcome the neglect of children affected by HIV/AIDS on both international and national agendas.
The Steering Committee also discussed ways of advancing JLICA within the global landscape of research and action on children and HIV/AIDS, strengthening collaboration with partner organizations, and creating and implementing a communications and advocacy strategy as a critical component to the initiative’s success.
