Coalition to Accelerate & Support Prevention Research (CASPR)
An African-Led Movement for Prevention Research
The Coalition to Accelerate & Support Prevention Research (CASPR) project focuses on developing and sustaining an Africa-centered network dedicated to accelerating biomedical HIV prevention research, and advancing equitable access to proven HIV prevention products.
Overview
Amidst a shrinking envelope of global resources for the overall HIV response, the HIV prevention field is challenged with scaling up proven prevention options while sustaining momentum in research and development (R&D) of next-generation HIV prevention products. People need a rich array of effective choices that work for their life circumstances, and urgently.
But as we’ve learned from past experience, once products are shown to work, programs, policies and funding must match the needs of affected communities and overcome the barriers that have blocked or slowed access in the past, while at the same time, accelerating R&D of the prevention pipeline.
CASPR’s many initiatives take on these challenges.
About CASPR
The Coalition to Accelerate & Support Prevention Research (CASPR), designed by AVAC in collaboration with key partners and supported by USAID, is a set of partnerships and activities focused on accelerating biomedical HIV prevention research.
CASPR is an Africa-led coalition of 13+ partners, supported by AVAC, working together to change how HIV prevention is pursued and delivered. CASPR activities are focused primarily in key African countries with the highest burden of new HIV infections, and where biomedical HIV prevention research is ongoing or planned. The Coalition:
Supports advocacy networks to strengthen and expand a global cadre of informed, action-oriented advocates who advance an agenda for HIV prevention research.
Translates research and shares accessible resources with advocates and others to ensure scientific advancements translate with policies and practices that uphold the needs and interests of all stakeholders, particularly trial participants and the communities research is intended to benefit.
Conducts research preparedness toensure that rights & interests of trial participants, eventual users and communities are represented and respected throughout the process, from research to rollout.
Advocates for policies that support efficient and ethical development, introduction and use of new HIV prevention options.
Impact
CASPR has created a platform to support, expand and advance African-centered leadership on the crucial advocacy that’s needed to ensure a robust pipeline of prevention options reach the people who need them most.
Influenced the development of policies to invest in domestic financing for HIV prevention R&D
Accelerated the advance of a women-centered research agenda, that integrates sexual and reproductive health R&D, coordinates with strategies to ensure access to proven products, and anticipates the introduction of multi-purpose prevention technologies (MPTs)
Built consensus around priorities for the pipeline of HIV prevention R&D to influence funders, researchers and other decision makers
And much more
CASPR information is also available in a PDF project brief version. Download here.
Contact
For more information about CASPR, contact Breanne Lesnar at breanne@avac.org.
Good Participatory Practice (GPP) Guidelines
Ethical and effective stakeholder engagement throughout clinical trials and research agendas for HIV prevention and beyond
The Good Participatory Practice Guidelines (GPP) provide trial funders, sponsors and implementers with systematic guidance on how to effectively engage with all stakeholders in the design and conduct of clinical trials for biomedical HIV prevention.
GPP is a linchpin to the ethical conduct of clinical trials, global health equity and pandemic preparedness.
New! GPP Body of Evidence
Since its first draft, the GPP guidelines have been adopted and used in HIV research and far beyond. AVAC has collected this body of evidence for GPP to demonstrate the power of GPP, to show how GPP can be measured and replicated, and to offer GPP training, tools and connection to everyone involved in the research enterprise.
Overview
In 2004, Cambodia’s Prime Minister halted planned PrEP efficacy trials set to take place in Cambodia and Cameroon. Local, national, and international stakeholders had raised concerns, highlighting a disconnect with research teams and divergent perspectives on the ethics of the trials’ design. Although the proposed trials had been designed in accordance with international guidance on ethics and clinical research, there was no common document or guideline for conducting or evaluating stakeholder engagement. The ensuing controversies crystallized the need for a reference guide, inclusively created with all relevant stakeholders, on ethical and effective stakeholder engagement related to clinical trials for HIV prevention.
The draft guidelines were further refined through broad consultation involving a wide range of stakeholders. In 2007 the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and AVAC published the first edition of the Good Participatory Practice Guidelines for biomedical HIV prevention trials. The second edition, including stakeholder input, was published in 2011.
Since the publication of the guidelines for HIV prevention trials, the guidelines have also been adapted for research on tuberculosis (TB) drugs and vaccines, COVID-19 research, and emerging pathogens. We believe they will be further adapted to other areas of clinical research aimed at global disease threats.
What is GPP?
The GPP guidelines were created to provide a consistent global standard for stakeholder engagement throughout the life-cycle of the research enterprise, from trial design to trial conduct to the dissemination of research results to, finally, access to proven intervention.
GPP Guidelines are written for research entities including trial sites, funders, and sponsors of research. External stakeholders, such as advocates, policy makers, and communities are encouraged to use the guidelines to hold research entities accountable, or implement components of the guidelines directly. This ‘external’ approach to GPP is a powerful way to hold research entities responsible for community-centered trials.
As a point of reference for how to engage stakeholders, GPP has given rise to a robust community of practice. It has created a process for deeper trust between research teams and other stakeholders and greater understanding about how trials will affect communities. This in turn improves trial design and conduct, and improves how trial results are understood, accepted and applied, regardless of the outcome.
GPP is a way to achieve the most community-centric results from a trial or research agenda – however, it is not a guarantee of successful trial results. GPP gives researchers a better sense of how communities will perceive trials and products and provides an opportunity to adapt and improve those perceptions. But GPP alone cannot induce participants to stay in a trial, adhere to a trial regimen, guarantee a product will be accepted, or eliminate the risk of controversy. GPP does provide a framework for navigating questions and controversy if they occur.
Online GPP Trainings and Tools for Implementation
The Engage Platform provides access to AVAC’s primary online training courses for various audiences. It also provides supplementary tools to support researchers and other stakeholders to conduct in-person GPP trainings, implement the guidelines, and join a community of practice of GPP implementers around the world.
Impact
GPP and stakeholder engagement has shifted trial design and approaches – for the better
The CAPRISA research center in South Africa has built a long-standing relationship with the community, independent of trials, including providing benefits such as support to local schools. This has resulted in increased trust by the community, who provides honest insight into how members perceive and participate in trials.
Gilead, a drug company, amended the protocol of an efficacy trial for a next-generation PrEP product and created new advisory mechanisms after receiving feedback from concerned advocates about the trial’s design and lack of community engagement.
The Microbicide Trials Network conducted wide stakeholder engagement for MTN 017, the first ever global rectal microbicide study. The network has stated that participation, adherence, and thus trial results benefited from trust built within communities and amongst national stakeholders through their GPP consultation processes.
As a community advocate, the principles and participatory tools of GPP have enabled me to be responsive and accountable to the well-being of local and global populations.
Neetha Morar
South African Medical Research Council
GPP helps the community become active partners in HIV clinical research. Before GPP, we were limited to advising on study brochures and pamphlets. Now, we have a methodology for involvement in the full research life-cycle, from planning a study to the release of data, and beyond.
Udom Likhitwonnawut
Thai NGO Coalition on AIDS/Civil Society
Good Participatory Practices have transformed the way that biomedical research is conducted around the world. While HIV researchers and communities have historically wanted to work together in meaningful partnerships, the process of actually doing this in a transparent, consistent, teachable, and metrics-driven way was impossible until GPP was developed. In the era of emerging infectious diseases such as Ebola, Zika, and pandemic influenza, GPP for HIV research has illuminated the way forward for impactful relationships between researches and communities in a growing number of fields.
For more information on GPP or the online course, reach out to gpp@avac.org.
Transgender Manifesto
Manifesto to Align HIV Prevention Research with Trans and Gender Diverse Realities
No Data No More provides a vision for a relevant and inclusive trans and gender-diverse (TGD) research agenda, offering public recommendations to finally fulfill an inclusive HIV research future where TGD people flourish in all our diversity.
A TGD-inclusive research agenda is long overdue.
Trans women bear a disproportionate burden of HIV globally with 20 percent living with HIV—66 times greater than the general population. Trans masculine people have a global prevalence of 2.6 percent, seven times greater than the general population, however, they are woefully understudied and the absence of data leads to a false assumption that they bear little to no burden of the virus. Gender nonbinary people face even greater underrepresentation in HIV surveillance and research and related syndemics (the confluence of two epidemics with the potential to worsen outcomes for both). Efforts to bring an end to the global HIV pandemic will fail if effective, accessible HIV prevention interventions don’t reach TGD communities. Yet TGD people—who often face crushing stigma, marginalization, criminalization and violence, along with a disproportionate burden of HIV—continue to be overlooked, underrepresented or excluded altogether from HIV prevention research and programs. Though there’s been some TGD-inclusive scientific literature and trans-led research, it falls gravely short of what’s needed.
About the Project
The manifesto is the foundational tool advancing AVAC’s trans and gender diverse advocacy. It lays out a detailed vision, outlining practical and essential priorities to HIV researchers, site-level staff and funders. The No Data No More Manifesto puts forth over two dozen recommendations for researchers and advocates to ensure the acceleration of trans-inclusion in research—both clinical trials and implementation studies. It also calls for the dismantling of social, legal and economic barriers that prevent TGD people from accessing healthcare and other rights to fulfill a dignified life. Ongoing engagement, consultation and convenings with these stakeholders and people from the trans and gender diverse community includes:
The Manifesto Roadshow: a series of dialogues with TGD people, funders, researchers, program implementers, regulators and community networks to accelerate and coordinate efforts for trans inclusion in research.
Trans-Inclusivity Scorecard: An analysis of trans representation in key HIV trials since 1991 and a template for scoring future trials. Offered to researchers and community advocates alike to inform trial design.
TG ROAR: (Research, Outreach, Advocacy and Representation) is an AVAC program populated with trans and gender-diverse people from Southern and Eastern Africa. ROARers use the Manifesto as its advocacy North Star, guiding trans-inclusive research as well as gender justice at the local and national levels.
Impact
15 Roadshows (as of Jan 2023) with community, implementers and researchers.
Scorecard advocacy template available Q3, 2023
Contact
To learn more about the manifesto and our work, contact Cindra Feuer at cindra@avac.org.
PrEPWatch is an online clearinghouse for resources and information related to the effectively delivery of proven PrEP products to everyone who needs them. Visit for updates on the status of access to PrEP products around the world and by country. Find the supporting evidence behind PrEP products available now and in development, learn who is working on delivering PrEP, and find tools and research for best practices.
PrEPWatch.org’s Essential Role
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uses antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to dramatically reduce the risk of HIV infection for people who take it as directed. Though PrEP could potentially benefit tens of millions of people at risk of exposure to HIV, and help to end the HIV epidemic, only a fraction of this number is using PrEP today. See the PrEPWatch tracker for quarterly updates on this figure at data.prepwatch.org.
About the Project
Understanding how to deliver PrEP to the diverse populations that need it has been slow, lacking in coordination and urgently requires comprehensive planning, investment and political will. PrEPWatch.org provides critical resources for the work that needs to be done. PrEPWatch collects data on PrEP use, provides updates on programs and policies around the world, and features resources, trainings and case studies on the best practices for planning and implementation of PrEP delivery.
If you have comments or suggestions for the site, reach out to preptracker@avac.org.
Advocacy-For-A-Cure Academy
Preparing a generation of cure advocates to fight for research
The Cure Academy links leading researchers with advocates to share the latest on HIV cure strategies and support advocates in developing advocacy agendas and preparing their communities for cure trials.
The World Needs an HIV Cure, and Cure Research Needs Advocates
More than a hundred clinical trials with thousands of participants are underway. A growing number of these trials are taking place in the global south, but advocacy involvement is far too limited. Informed and strategic advocacy engagement is essential to accelerate research, particularly Africa-led research where the majority of the burden is carried.
An effective cure will reduce new infections, neutralize stigma and discrimination, contribute to the end of the epidemic and provide hope to millions of people living with HIV. But cure research is highly complex and the trials to test possible solutions involve careful considerations that communities must understand.
Advocates play a fundamental role in shaping a research agenda that reflects community priorities and ensuring communities understand and support research.
About the Cure Academy
Co-hosted by AVAC and the International AIDS Society, The Advocacy-For-Cure Academy prepares a generation of cure advocates to fight effectively for research that matters to the people who are most impacted by HIV. Leading cure researchers and seasoned advocates explore current strategies under investigation and the implications for different populations. They consider the challenges in cure research, approaches to broad stakeholder engagement, and an advocacy agenda to accelerate the design, social acceptability, and rapid adoption of HIV-cure products.
The program:
Provides training on current HIV cure research strategies, barriers to a cure, and skills for communicating scientific results accurately to communities that will most benefit from cure research.
Supports the development of tools to broaden cure literacy to the wider community, including policy makers, the media and program managers.
Creates opportunities to interact with leading researchers and advocates in the field with a view to expanding the network of advocates working in HIV cure.
The Academy takes place each November. Approximately two dozen participants are selected from a call for applications released by August. Accepted applicants are selected by years of professional experience, interest in cure research, ability to translate to their constituencies, and the relevancy of their reason for wanting to attend.
The Cure Fellowship
Up to five cure fellowships of $10,000 USD are competitively awarded to alumni participants of the Academy. The fellowship supports the development of a project that meets one of the following criteria:
Advocacy program to build support for HIV cure research in-country;
Strengthens networks and tools for cure advocacy in local contexts;
Develop and provide HIV cure education and information for clients, advocates and healthcare providers
Impact
Since 2017, 120 advocates have participated in five Academies. The majority represent communities across Africa that are most burdened by HIV. These advocates have gone on to serve on community advisory boards, consult with major research and pharmaceutical entities, and serve as prominent guest speakers at major scientific convenings.
Back in their communities, these advocates have created programs, resources and in-country trainings to help people understand cure research. They make the science accessible and promote community support for accelerated research in their local context. And, last but not least, they identify and inspire future Academy participants, growing the field of cure advocates.
Contact
For more information on this program, reach out Jessica Salzwedel at jessica@avac.org.
Dual Prevention Pill Project
Integrating PrEP and contraception in a single pill to expand choices
DPP Consortium Logo
The Dual Prevention Pill (DPP) Project aims to accelerate the development and introduction of a multipurpose prevention technology (MPT)—a single product designed to address multiple health needs—for HIV and pregnancy prevention.
In East and Southern Africa—where the DPP is initially planned for introduction—65 percent of new HIV infections are among women aged 15 and over, and 16 percent of women of reproductive age have an unmet need for contraception. As the “youth bulge” results in millions of young people entering their reproductive years, it will impact efforts to end the HIV epidemic and reduce unintended pregnancies. It is critical to ensure all women have access to both contraception and HIV prevention.
About the DPP Project
While oral PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) works to reduce HIV risk, uptake and continued use remain low. In 2019, a collaboration of several organizations was established to support the development and introduction of a dual prevention pill, a novel intervention for the prevention of unintended pregnancy and HIV acquisition in high-need countries. Combining the two prevention tools aims to help address some of the challenges with oral PrEP and could reduce stigma around women seeking HIV prevention services.
Advancing the DPP is the quickest way to bring a new MPT—and the first with PrEP—to market, and lays the groundwork for other MPTs currently in the research pipeline, such as vaginal rings, injectables and implants.
The project has undertaken a number of initiatives, including:
engaging with the family planning field;
identifying markets where HIV incidence and unmet need for modern contraception are high;
evaluating regulatory and policy environments; leading research on end-user preferences; and
assessing cost-effectiveness and analyzing opportunities for collaboration with the private sector on delivering the product.
Please contact kate@avac.org with any questions or requests related to this project.
Resource Tracking
Tracking investments and funding trends in HIV prevention and cure R&D
Prevention Funding in 2021
Since 2004, AVAC has been a member of the Resource Tracking for HIV Prevention Research and Development Working Group (formerly the HIV Vaccines and Microbicides Resource Tracking Working Group) which annually collects information on the amount invested in research and development for HIV prevention. In 2013, the working group began a collaboration with the International AIDS Society (IAS) to produce a report tracking investment in cure research and development.
Tracking Trends Over Time
A lack of consistent data on funding made it hard to monitor the direction and priorities of research and development (R&D) in HIV prevention and cure. How money was spent from year to year, what technology was being given priority and how funders were changing was unknown. AVAC’s work alongside partners have changed that – making it easy to track global spending and keep an eye on developments in HIV prevention and cure, and giving advocates an evidence base from which their advocacy can build. The latest data are available at hivresourcetracking.org or as a PDF download.
About the Project
The annual HIV Prevention Research & Development Investments report tracks what technology is being prioritized and areas that need more investment. In 2014, the Working Group expanded its focus to analyze grants going towards HIV cure research. All of this can be used to fight for fact-based policy changes—especially those impacting R&D funding.
How the Prevention Data is Collected
Investment figures for HIV prevention R&D are collected annually via an email survey. The most recent report looked at 215 funders across public, philanthropic and commercial sectors. The two types of resources tracked are investment — annual payments by funders — and expenditures, which are resources directly spent on R&D during a particular year.
Funding is broken up into two categories, investment and expenditure because:
some funders may provide funding for multiple years in advance;
there may be delays in research projects; and/or
organizations may use the funds over a period extending beyond the year they received the money.
Financial support for the most recent project was provided by AVAC. In past years, funding was also provided by the IAVI, UNAIDS, the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) and the Alliance for Microbicide Development (AMD).
Contact
If you are a funder of HIV prevention and cure R&D, we would love to hear from you. You can participate in the HIV Research Investment Survey by getting in touch at hivresourcetracking@avac.org.
Coalition to build Momentum, Power, Activism, Strategy & Solidarity (COMPASS) Africa
Using data for smarter advocacy and high-impact campaigns
Coalition to build Momentum, Power, Activism, Strategy & Solidarity (COMPASS) Africa is a global civil society coalition that uses innovative, data-driven advocacy campaigns to influence HIV policy decisions, programs and funding in Malawi, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe and at the global level. COMPASS Africa brings together organizations with varied, complementary skills and resources to develop shared approaches to defining and tackling subnational, national, regional and global barriers to effective, comprehensive national responses to HIV.
Overview
Since the advent of the HIV epidemic, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have played a critical role in addressing structural violence and barriers to HIV treatment and prevention through advocacy, activism and serving as government watchdogs. Given their knowledge of the local context, local CSOs are well placed to identify and respond to the needs of their communities.
Their vibrant advocacy and activism have driven solutions by focusing on accountability—making sure that power, funds and policies work for people living with and at risk for HIV. As the HIV response has matured, data-informed decision-making has shaped programs. In the past, access to the data behind these decisions has been limited for civil society activists and advocates. At the same time, civil society organizations have been enlisted as partners by the very funders and programs they must hold accountable, increasing the risks they face when they speak out as activists.
Recent plateaus and declines in foreign aid budgets exacerbate these threats to the sustainability of CSO work.
About
COMPASS is a global civil society coalition that is changing the HIV response through high-impact advocacy campaigns led by civil society organizations representing communities most impacted by HIV. COMPASS uses data-informed, transnational activism to increase the impact of civil society on HIV-related policies, budgets, programs, and leverage their influence with governments, funders, implementers. The project is led by civil society coalitions in Malawi, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, working in coalition with global and regional partners to gather and analyze data and other evidence to shape strategic campaigns.
Within the coalition, Pangaea Zimbabwe leads the COMPASS secretariat and manages sub-grants to partners. AVAC works with Pangaea Zimbabwe to provide coordination across partners, geographies and thematic areas. AVAC also advises on partner campaign strategies and tactics and contributes to monitoring and evaluation efforts (M&E) as a member of the COMPASS MERL (monitoring, evaluation, results and learning) team.
COMPASS works via four areas:
Building the strength and influence of Africa-focused civil society coalitions
Using data, information and analytics to advocate for comprehensive, effective treatment and primary prevention programs that lead to epidemic control
Defining priority issues and ambitious change agendas: differentiated service delivery, combination prevention, human resources for health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, key and vulnerable populations, and more
Strategic innovation: advancing ambitious advocacy agendas via “business unusual”
Impact
Work in Malawi, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe has and will continue to:
Improve development, adoption, implementation and evaluation of laws and policies supportive of comprehensive HIV responses that meet the needs of those at high risk of HIV infection or, if living with HIV, progressing to AIDS, including adolescent girls and young women, and key populations
Increased allocation and improved use of HIV-specific human, financial and technical resources from national governments, development partners like (PEPFAR and GFATM) and/or private sector to critical, effective programs and partners on the frontlines of the HIV response, with a focus on differentiated service delivery models for combined HIV prevention and treatment, achieved where possible through integrated programs
Improved country, regional and global responses to COVID-19 and health security to secure global equity and community-led action plans
A coalition that sets the standard for transnational coalition-based, Africa-led activism via African leadership, management and grantmaking
COMPASS partners lead the development of the People’s COPs in the three COMPASS countries. Annually developed by civil society, these documents outline community priorities for HIV programming and funding. The documents support engagement with PEPFAR, Global Fund and national governments.
COMPASS created a learning course on analyzing and using data for advocacy. Contact us at avac@avac.orgif you’d like to access the course content.
They know we (civil society) are normally serious because when they give us a report, we analyze it, look at it, but we also relate with our international partners, Health GAP, amfAR, AVAC, and with that effective input, when we raise issues, they know we are serious and normally is written feedback. So, stakeholders like PEPFAR have taken us very seriously and our profile has increased.
David Kamkwamba
Malawi Civil Society Advocacy Forum (CSAF) Chair and Executive Director of COMPASS partner JONEHA
Advocacy Navigator
Preparing the next generation of HIV prevention advocates
The Advocacy Navigator program mobilizes a cohort of ambitious individuals and provides them with resources to build their knowledge, skills and confidence to meaningfully advance HIV prevention advocacy in their communities and countries. Navigators are paired with mentors, alumni of AVAC’s Advocacy Fellows program to provide support and guidance.
2024 Advocacy Navigators
Jessica Booysen
South Africa
Takunda Clement Chanetsa
Zimbabwe
Gcebile Yvette Dlamini
Eswatini
Rita Nyaguthii Gatonye
Kenya
Nawanyaga Gloria
Uganda
Madalitso Juwayeyi
Malawi
Joseph Robert Linda
Uganda
Renny Mulala
Zambia
Rumbidzai Munhanzi
Zimbabwe
Nicole Ondisa Oduya
Kenya
Sharon Ramantele
Botswana
Elizabeth Zahabu
Tanzania
Using training and mentorship from AVAC Fellow Alumni and other seasoned advocates to prepare the next generation of HIV prevention advocates.
Support for Advocates is Essential
Since 2009 with the establishment of the AVAC Advocacy Fellows program, AVAC has recognized the imperative to support HIV prevention advocates globally. They represent a global movement of seasoned veterans and passionate newcomers, who call out neglect, insist on equity, monitor commitments and identify solutions. Now the Advocacy Navigator program is leveraging the strength of this extraordinary program and its alumni community to expand and strengthen the network and continue to support and engage advocates for the long-term.
The Advocacy Navigator combines training and mentorship to young and emerging advocates in the field of HIV prevention advocacy. The program will mobilize a cohort of ambitious individuals and provide them with resources to build their knowledge, skills and confidence to meaningfully advance HIV prevention advocacy in their communities and countries. The program includes online coursework, personalized mentorship, and opportunities to directly apply learning through a community advocacy project. The program begins with three months of coursework and project development, followed by three months when advocates implement their plans.
Applications
📣 AVAC is not currently accepting applications for our Navigator program.
This initiative is designed for new and emerging advocates looking to jumpstart or strengthen their HIV prevention advocacy.
What The Program Entails
Curated coursework
Personalized mentorship
Intentional networking
Experiential learning
How The Program Works
In collaboration with their mentors, participants, will:
Connect with AVAC’s global network
Bolster existing HIV prevention campaigns
Fuel new advocacy efforts
The first three months include structured, self-paced coursework, followed by a Community Advocacy Project for the following three months. The focus of the project is decided by the participants in consultation with their mentors in order to match their interests with community needs.
Current Mentors
Chilufya Hampongo
Zambia
Simon K’Ondiek
Kenya
Cleopatra Makura
Zimbabwe
Eric Mcheka
Malawi
Anna Miti
Zimbabwe
Dr. Lilian Benjamin Mwakyosi
Tanzania
In the Words of our Navigator Alumni Network
Here are just a few of our notable alumni:
The program has profoundly reshaped my perspective on advocacy and my role as an agent of change. I’ve come to understand that advocacy transcends mere participation in meetings or visits. It entails active engagement with the community in decision-making processes, ensuring their full representation.
Fortune Erimma
2023 Advocacy Navigator (Nigeria)
It’s been eye-opening to witness how empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills to advocate for their rights and educate their peers can be a catalyst for change.
Doreen Moraa Moracha
Advocacy Navigator 2023 (Kenya)
Before the programme, despite working in creating change for adolescents and young people, I did not have the advocacy skills to do more. With the programme and implementation of the CAP, I not only have the skills but also the confidence to use my position to influence change.”
Interested in joining the next group of Navigators or want to hear more about the project? Contact Hannah Nelson at hnelson@avac.org.
Media Science Cafés
Translating science and shaping the agenda for health media
Media Science Cafés link journalists with researchers, civil society, policy makers and regulators for accurate and insightful reporting on HIV, COVID and global health equity.
Connecting Media with Health Experts
Generating compelling and nuanced media stories on health and science depends on strong connections between researchers and providers, journalists reporting the story, and civil society and community members who have critical perspectives to share.
Researchers need skills to explain science in plain language and be open to questions. Civil society and affected communities are also a crucial component to strong news coverage, providing advocacy perspectives that capture the full impact of a given issue.
About the Media Science Café Project
Since 2012, AVAC has worked to support health journalist associations in East and Southern Africa to strengthen the capacity of journalists to report on HIV prevention research. In 2020, AVAC expanded this work to include COVID science. Through the Media Science Café Program, AVAC partners with health media associations in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe to bring journalists together with researchers, implementers, civil society, policy makers, regulators and policy makers to build relationships that will foster accurate reporting of HIV, COVID and other science or health stories in those countries.
How Does It Work?
The monthly cafés are structured as informal meetings with 20-30 journalists and expert speakers. Experts in the field gather to present and discuss timely health topics. Read the Rockefeller Foundation’s case study about the Media Science Café Project, “Decoding Scientific Research to Support Public Health in Africa.”
Experience with COVID-19
In early 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic became the dominant news story around the globe, media café partners—with the support of AVAC and Internews—turned to helping journalists understand the pandemic and the science behind COVID-19 research.
The Cafés quickly moved from in-person meetings to Zoom cafés and implemented “Cross-Border Cafés,” which brought together journalists and experts from the four café countries and other African countries for updates on emerging issues, including the impact of COVID-19 on HIV research, COVID-19 treatment and vaccine trials in Africa, and clinical trial results for both COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics.
As the world confronted COVID-19, AVAC and the Café partners also grappled with an “infodemic”, and it’s been hard for journalists to sieve through an overwhelming volume of information at breakneck speed to write timely and accurate stories. With the support of AVAC, the Media Café conveners helped journalists differentiate fake, over-hyped information from accurate, verifiable information derived from trustworthy sources and linked them to COVID-19 experts in their countries. Visit here for our curated list of resources to help journalists find high quality, understandable information.
Impact
The media café program has:
Provided a platform for engagement and networking within and across countries and laid the groundwork for ongoing dialogue between key journalists and scientists, implementers, advocates, regulators and policy makers on scientific topics related to HIV, sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and more recently COVID-19.
Updated journalists on emerging issues in biomedical HIV prevention research and implementation, SRHR and COVID-19.
Helped journalists to generate story ideas, foster peer critiques of their work and engage in thought provoking debate.
Prepared journalists to report on prevention trial research and results; grapple with complicated science such as HIV cure research and HIV treatment; better understand domestic and donor funding for HIV programs; recognize human rights issues for key populations; and, more recently, understand COVID vaccine science and the nuances of vaccine hesitancy.
Been supported by topic-specific regional trainings in East and Southern Africa; “help desk” support for reporters covering key HIV conferences; ongoing support to health journalists from veteran science journalists through a partnership with Internews—an organization focused on building the capacity of media professionals, human rights activists, and information entrepreneurs across the globe.
Contact
If you are a journalist who wants to be connected to the café program or receive information about training and other opportunities, please contact us at media@avac.org.
