Issues and challenges
A synthesis of institutional arrangements of National Aids Commissions in seven African countries (work in progress)
Increased pressure on NACs means more clarity is needed in roles and relationships
Authors:
C. Dickinson; J. Mundy; J. Whitelaw Jones
Published:
2007
This paper from HLSP presents a synthesis of institutional arrangements and issues currently facing National AIDS Commissions (NACs) in 2007. The paper is a work in progress and is based on a literature review and informant interviews with agency-based and NAC staff and independent consultants familiar with NAC issues. It reviews the common features and emerging themes on the following topics: the background to the establishment of NACs, their governance, structure and function, financing arrangements and their role in harmonising and aligning country responses to HIV. To date, many African countries with NACs have experienced significantly improved access to, and coordination of, financial and other resources, and there is a growing diversity of funding mechanisms and a substantial increase in funding.
The authors conclude that the increased pressure placed on NACs means that clarity in roles and relationships, and enabling political, legislative, policy and institutional environments are more important than ever. Clear and robust institutional arrangements and legal status are important for NACs to effectively deliver their mandates. Where institutional arrangements have become confused, or legal status is outdated or absent, effective coordination can be compromised and the role of the NAC undermined.In response NACs have taken up a diversity of approaches to constantly adapt their structure and function, within the predominant model, to better suit their local conditions and strengthen the national response.
