Our Charter & Linking Agreement Supporting community action on AIDS in developing countries
OUR CHARTER We, Members of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance (‘the Alliance’) and signatories to this Charter, are a global partnership of nationally-based, independent civil society organisations, including an international secretariat and a small number of country offices, that work to support community action on AIDS in developing countries.
Who we are The Alliance was founded in 1993 to scale up support to community groups in developing countries that were most affected by and keen to respond to the devastating HIV and AIDS epidemics. We offered a vision and a way of working that would put communities at the centre of the response by enabling them to understand and respond to HIV and AIDS, to become part of the solution. We are committed to joint action and to developing mechanisms to help us work together to achieve our shared Vision, Mission and Values. We benefit by working together, allowing strong cross -country learning and economies of scale to deliver a more effective response to the HIV and AIDS epidemics. By signing this Charter, we aim to be clear about the standards and the integrity and credibility of all organisations that are part of the global partnership, including the international secretariat.
How we work Our organisations are proud and privileged to work within a wide range of countries and contexts where we provide support to thousands of non-governmental, community-based and faith-based organisations. Our main objective is to assist community-based organisations (CBOs) and other groups such as key population networks, to respond effectively to HIV and AIDS (and other health related issues such as tuberculosis and sexual and reproductive health) and to reach the communities most at risk of HIV with prevention, care and support services, and improved access to treatment. S ome of us provide direct services. However, our main objective is to provide the technical support and funding to other CBOs who are providing services. We strive to implement quality community driven programmes at scale, using a human rights approach. Our work focuses especially on key populations, including: men who have sex with men; sex workers; transgender people; people who use drugs and people living with HIV and AIDS. We seek to advance our Mission providing technical support, encouraging knowledge sharing, supporting fundraising & influencing the policy environment through global and national advocacy. We work in partnership with other organisations where this is the best way to advance our Mission.
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Our Charter & Linking Agreement Supporting community action on AIDS in developing countries
We are an alliance of diverse contexts, Members and views, yet our actions are guided by our joint Vision, Mission and Values:
Vision Our Vision is of a world in which people do not die of AIDS.
Mission Our Mission is to support community action to prevent HIV infection, meet the challenges of AIDS, and build healthier communities.
Values The lives of all human beings are of equal value. A persons’ vulnerability to HIV is increased by unequal power relations arising from economic poverty and social marginalisation. Gender, religion, class, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, drug use and sex work are all potential factors shaping unequal power relations, human rights abuses, and vulnerability. Everyone has the right to access the information and services they need for a healthy life. People have the right to access health care and treatment, and appropriate health and social services; this includes HIV treatment and palliative care for those with AIDS-defining illnesses, access to tuberculosis and sexual and reproductive health services for people living with HIV and AIDS, and substitution treatment for those who are drug dependent. Individuals that are most at risk of HIV have the right to full and accurate information as well as to comprehensive HIV prevention programmes.
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Our Charter & Linking Agreement Supporting community action on AIDS in developing countries
LINKING AGREEMENT We, Members of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance (‘the Alliance’) signatory to this Linking Agreement, recognise the benefits of working together to deliver the Vision, Mission and Values stated within the Alliance Charter above. This Linking Agreement outlines how we work together to do this.
1.
Working together to deliver a common strategy
1.1
Our model
1.1.1
As Alliance Members, we recognise each other as independent, nationally -based Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) with their own governing or non-executive body. We remain sensitive to the needs of our respective local constituencies and context but are committed to joint action to achieve our shared Vision, Mission and Values.
1.1.2
We recognise that the international secretariat and the Regional Technical Support Hubs (see section 2.1.3) have a role in binding, connecting and facilitating inter-country learning for all Members of the Alliance, with a focus on: working together to deliver a common strategy; building capacity around quality programming and organisational effectiveness; enhancing governance, accountability and transparency.
1.2
Our standards and credibility
1.2.1
As Alliance Members, we recognise the Accreditation System as the means by which we are assessed, by each other, on a periodic basis. Assessments will take place approximately every four years against defined organisational and programmatic standards*. This ensures that the global partnership comprises well-performing, sustainable and credible civil-society organisations. * Alliance standards include governance, strategic planning, values, quality programming, monitoring and evaluation, policy, advocacy and network ing, financial management, resource mobilisation, human resources and security, communication, k nowledge sharing and information technology.
1.2.2
We recognise the role of the Accreditation Committee (a sub-Committee of the international secretariat’s governing body) which includes Alliance Members (Linking Organisations, Country Offices and international secretariat) in having oversight of the accreditation process.
1.2.3
Any organisation wishing to join the Alliance must undergo a ‘light’ accreditation (New Linking Organisation Assessment). If successful, they are eligible to become a Member of the Alliance by signing the Charter & Linking Agreement.
1.2.4
Once a Member, organisations may refer to themselves as ‘Linking Organisations’ and are able to use the Alliance Partnership Icon (see 1.3.3 below).
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Our Charter & Linking Agreement Supporting community action on AIDS in developing countries
1.2.5
Our credibility is derived from the quality of our work and institutional strengths. If an Alliance Member fails to meet the accreditation standards during a periodic assessment, following a suitable notice period they may be suspended from Membership of the Alliance until the shortcomings have been addressed.
1.2.6
During a period of suspension, an organisation may not refer to itself as a ‘Linking Organisation’ or use the Partnership Icon.
1.3
Our identity
1.3.1
We recognise the importance of our identity in promoting our work and our status as an Alliance Member to our key stakeholders.
1.3.2
When undertaking joint work as part of the Alliance, we may wish to use each other’s name and logo in connection with our work. In order to protect our names and logos from misuse, we grant to one another consent to use our organisation’s name and logo for the purpose of carrying out the objectives of the Alliance.
1.3.3
We have together collaborated to develop a ‘Partnership Icon’, which defines the Alliance as a global partnership and represents its shared aims and values, and its unique and diverse nature. We acknowledge that the Secretariat has a unique role as custodian and steward of the Partnership Icon and, accordingly, the Secretariat has taken ownership of Intellectual Property Rights in the Partnership Icon. See Annexe 2 for full details of the License which allows Members to use the Partnership Icon.
1.4
Our influence
1.4.1
We will work together on policy and advocacy initiatives in furtherance of the objectives in the agreed Alliance Strategic Framework. We commit to joint action on emerging policy issues which affect our programming and programming environment. We will highlight these issues for wider debate and advocate for appropriate change.
1.4.2
We commit to support and contribute to the Policy & Advocacy Committee (a sub-Committee of the international secretariat’s governing body). Membership includes Alliance Members (Linking Organisations, Country Offices and an international secretariat). We will use this mechanism to help inform and shape, through consultation, any relevant global policy position of the Alliance.
1.4.3
We will support each other to develop strong and influential global, regional and country -based civil society initiatives which allow us to promote an enabling environment to deliver human rights focused HIV and health programming.
1.5
Our sustainability
1.5.1
We will work together on resource mobilisation efforts in furtherance of the objectives in the agreed Alliance Strategic Framework.
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Our Charter & Linking Agreement Supporting community action on AIDS in developing countries
1.5.2
We recognise the importance of our respective resource mobilisation efforts both at the national and international level. The Secretariat will cooperate with other Alliance Members, as appropriate to support the development and implementation of specific resource mobilisation strategies and plans.
1.5.3
We commit to building relationships with donors (including initiating regular contact with in-country representatives or missions and intelligence gathering) and to helping each other raise the profile of the work of the Alliance global partnership with donors and other relevant stakeholders.
2.
Building capacity around quality programming and organisational effectiveness
2.1
Our effectiveness
2.1.1
We are committed to ensuring our programmes achieve impact at community and national level, are based on Alliance good practice programming standards, are scalable and are based on a human rights based approach to HIV and health programming.
2.1.2
We believe that community action is key to effective HIV and health responses, and are committed to supporting civil society organisations through the provision of high quality technical support, to build skills and support organisational development.
2.1.3
We will provide and utilise technical support offered by the Alliance Regional Technical Support Hubs. Hosted by Alliance Linking Organisations, the Hubs present a model of South-to-South technical assistance drawing upon expertise and experience across the Alliance as well as that of other regional experts.
2.2
Our learning
2.2.1
We seek to learn from our own and other Members’ experiences. We support our staff to actively seek out and use data, evaluation, evidence and learning in their work and to share with other Members any relevant internal and external evaluation reports, including case studies and research which may help to enhance learning across the global partnership.
2.2.2
We take pride in learning from mistakes and are open in sharing them with others. We ensure that learning does not just sit within a project, team or country but is shared across projects, teams, communities, stakeholders, countries and regions.
2.2.3
We will actively contribute to the initiatives which facilitate learning within the Alliance, including:
face-to-face knowledge sharing such as horizontal learning exchanges and Regional Technical Support Hub consultancy services, as well as mechanisms for facilitated dialogue on important strategic and policy issues (such the annual Alliance Directors Meeting, Regional Blue Sky Weeks, regional directors conference calls and technical workshops, and the Policy & Advocacy Committee – see 1.4.2 above).
virtual knowledge sharing such as access to a range of printed and on-line resources via our websites and our intranet, and regular updates such as Alliance newsletters and other ad-hoc communications.
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Our Charter & Linking Agreement Supporting community action on AIDS in developing countries
3.
Enhancing governance, accountability and transparency
3.1
We are responsible for achieving our stated Mission effectively and transparently, consistent with our values.
3.2
We are responsible for maintaining the reputation of the Alliance and preserving its good name.
3.3
We are committed to openness and transparency about our structures, mission, policies and activities.
3.4
In this, we are accountable to our stakeholders including other Alliance Members, our staff, our partners (governmental and non-governmental), our donors, regulatory bodies and the communities we serve.
3.5
We commit to providing the international secretariat with a copy of our organisation’s annual report, full annual audited accounts and programme data, irrespective of funding source, according to t he Alliance’s annual reporting cycle or more frequently if agreed with individual Members.
3.6
We are committed to an internal audit mechanism which will allow a fair and open evaluation of our organisation, as well as a full and timely management response to any audit findings.
3.7
The international secretariat of the global partnership, which is governed by an international Board of Trustees who are independently selected, has a governance role in relation to the global partnership which is limited to approve the overall Alliance Strategic Framework. The Strategy is generated through a process of consultation with Members and other stakeholders.
3.8
We recognise the role of the two Sub-Committees of the international Board of Trustees which include Alliance Members: the Policy and Advocacy Committee (see section 1.4.2) and the Accreditation Committee (see section 1.2.2).
4.
Term This Charter & Linking Agreement will take effect from 1 January 2012 and expire on 31 December 2014.
5.
Signatories By signing this Linking Agreement we affirm, as individual organisations, our Membership of the Alliance. We commit to respecting the Vision, Mission and Values set out in the Alliance Charter and agree to abide by the provisions of this Linking Agreement.
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Our Charter & Linking Agreement Supporting community action on AIDS in developing countries
Annexe 1 - Definitions Unless the context otherwise requires, the following words in the Charter & Linking Agreement shall have the following meanings: Alliance
means those civil society organisations who have signed this Charter & Linking Agreement
Alliance Member
means those Linking Organisations, Country Offices and the international secretariat which have signed this Charter & Linking Agreement
Brand Guidelines
means the guidelines for use of the Alliance Brand and Partnership Icon which are available from the Secretariat’s Communications Team and form part of the Communications Handbook
Country Office
means a subsidiary or branch of the Secretariat registered outside the United Kingdom
Intellectual Property Rights means (whether registered or unregistered) patents, copyrights, trade marks, service marks, trade names, registered designs, design rights, renewal rights, reversionary rights, and any other intellectual property rights, applications for the grant of any such rights, and all analogous or similar rights or forms of protection anywhere in the World Key populations
communities most at risk of HIV including men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people, people who use drugs and people living with HIV 1 and AIDS
Linking Organisations
means national, independent, locally governed and managed civil society organisations who are Members of the Alliance
Partnership Icon
means the partnership logo illustrated below and developed by collaboration between Alliance Members and which defines the Alliance as a global partnership and represents its core aims and values, as well as its unique and diverse nature. In terms of Intellectual Property Rights, the “partnership icon” is owned by the Secretariat and licensed to Alliance Members.
Secretariat
means the company registered in England with charity number 1038860 called the “International HIV/AIDS Alliance”.
1
The Alliance uses the UNAIDS Terminology Guidelines (updated Oct 2011) definition s of key populations.
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Annexe 2 – Partnership Icon License 1.
By signing this Charter & Linking Agreement and in consideration of each of us entering into the Alliance, the Secretariat grants to each Alliance Member a worldwide, royalty free, non-sublicensable, revocable, non-transferable, non-exclusive license (the "License)" to use the Partnership Icon (as depicted in Annex 1) and the "International HIV/AIDS Alliance" on any material related to HIV/AIDS and other related health issues for the purpose of carrying out the objectives of the Alliance
2.
The License shall take effect on 1 January 2009 until terminated under the terms of Clause 1.3.5 below.
3.
The Secretariat may terminate the License immediately at any time,by giving written notice to any or all of the Alliance Members. Upon termination or other expiry of the License in respec t of any or all Alliance Members (the "Notified Parties"), such Notified Parties shall cease all and any use of the Partnership Icon and/or the "HIV/AIDS Alliance" name.
4.
Termination of the License in respect of a Notified Party shall not affect the License to any other Alliance Member which is a party to this Charter and Linking Agreement. From the date of any such termination or expiry, the terms of this License shall be read as though the Notified Party is no longer a party to the Charter and Linking Agreement.
5.
This License is subject to the restrictions contained in the Brand Guidelines and any further reasonable restrictions which the Secretariat may notify to the Alliance Members from time to time. Any Intellectual Property Rights licensed under this License shall not be used in a detrimental or derogatory manner or in any other way that may damage the Alliance's reputation or the Secretariat's reputation.
6.
English law governs this License and its interpretation.
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Our Charter & Linking Agreement Supporting community action on AIDS in developing countries
SIGNED FOR
[name of organisation]
By
[name of signatory]
Position
[your position]
Date
___________2013
Signature
____________________________
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