Overview of the Advocacy and Communications Working Group

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• Overview of the Advocacy and Communications
  Working Group
• Michael Luhan, Communications Adviser
• October 2004

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Advocacy and Communications Working Group

• 1. Antecedents Task Force
• Ad hoc Task Force created in 2001 to "prioritize,
  plan, develop and coordinate advocacy and
  communication activities" to support Global Plan
  and six Working Groups
• Work broadly guided by Strategic Plan for
  Advocacy and Communications (2002-2005) budgeted
  at 20 million
• TF meetings held in Atlanta (May 01), Geneva (Jan
  02), Newark (Apr 02), Johannesburg (Sep 03)

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Advocacy and Communications Working Group

• Task Force
• Implementation hampered by unstable and
  HQ-centric Secretariat, inconstant partners,
  informal character
• Lack of strategic framework, evidence base,
  pedagogy and specialized partners for country
  level communications
• Main achievements Strengthened cooperation with
  selected partners, increased level of global
  advocacy focused on resource mobilization

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Advocacy and Communications Working Group

• Mandate to form WG
• Cancun experts' consultation, Jun 03 Urges
  creation of more formal entity for strategic
  guidance in programme communication to support
  DOTS expansion
• Johannesburg TF meeting, Sep 03 Recommends
  Board upgrade TF to full WG status, establishes
  main work streams
• External STB evaluation, Dec 03 Supports
  recommendation to create more formal entity for
  AC
• Board authorizes formation of new WG, Mar 04

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Advocacy and Communications Working Group

• Formation Process
• J Carter elected chair of TF Core Group in Joburg
  meeting, Sep 03
• Board endorses J Carter as chair a.i. for new WG
  and directs Secretariat to support formation
  process, Mar 04
• Drafting of Basic Framework and initial members'
  roster by Secretariat, review by Core Group, Sep
  04
• First WG meeting proposed for Dec 04 or Jan 05

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Advocacy and Communications Working Group

• Proposed WG Framework
• WG chair with permanent seat on the Board
• Two vice-chairs to lead subgroups
• One representative from each of the other 6 WGs
• Core funding from Secretariat (100k/yr)
• One annual WG meeting, two meetings for subgroups

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Advocacy and Communication Working Group

• Structure
• Subgroup Global advocacy for resource
  mobilization
• Analysis of funding needs setting of
  strategic advocacy agenda mapping of advocacy
  opportunities coordination of planning,
  implementation and evaluation of activities
• Subgroup Program communication and country
  support
• Strategic framework and guidance
  communication pedagogy and tools operational
  research strengthening NTP capacities support
  for national partnerships

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Advocacy and Communication Working Group

• Functions
• Develop strategic approaches for scaling up
  effective AC interventions and propagate
  evidence-based best practices
• Empower Stop TB partners to develop, implement
  and evaluation AC activities at global, regional
  and country levels
• Advise the Coordinating Board on all matters
  pertaining to advocacy, in-country programme
  communication and social mobilization

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Advocacy and Communication Working Group

• Objectives
• Infuse a sense of urgency in the Stop TB movement
  and accelerate efforts of all stakeholders to
  meet the 2005 targets and 2015 MDGs
• Sustain the increased flow of resources into TB
  control and ensure that resources are
  appropriately targeted and utilized
• Catalyze participation of civil society and build
  a genuine social movement against TB at global
  and country levels