Leadership and Accountability Programme - Vision and Objectives

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The role of the AIDS 2010 Leadership and Accountability Programme Committee (LAPC) is to “plan and execute the Leadership and Accountability Programme for AIDS 2010, and advise on leadership and accountability issues regarding other parts of the Conference.”

The Context for AIDS 2010

Universal access targets have not been realized and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are only five years away. In a context of increasingly scarce resources due to the enduring financial crisis, increasing needs and competing global priorities, as well as continued violations of human rights, there is an urgent need to: renew efforts to improve and sustain coverage and quality of treatment, care and prevention, particularly for key affected and marginalized populations; strengthen health systems; and improve human rights programming at all levels in the response to HIV/AIDS.

Given this context, the AIDS 2010 Leadership and Accountability Programme must ensure that the overall conference programme generates and strengthen new and existing leadership in the HIV/AIDS response, and holds leaders to account for progress or lack thereof in achieving universal access and human rights.

The leadership and accountability sessions will be interactive and dynamic. We will ask leaders to discuss and debate, not read speeches or reiterate statements without consequences. 

Leadership

Leaders have key responsibilities in the response. Leaders are defined broadly and include national governments, UN agencies, bilateral/multilateral and private donors, persons living with HIV/AIDS, Parliamentarians, researchers, civil society and community activists, the private sector, media and individual role models. Leaders are found at all levels, in all sectors and regions; they are young or old, male, female or other gender. Some are new to the response and need to be engaged, others have demonstrated courage and commitment and need further support, or to be challenged.

Leaders will be invited to participate because they:

• make decisions and control resources;
• have the credibility and legitimacy to lead;
• have a constituency they can mobilize;
• influence and/or have the potential to influence thousands or millions; and/or
• inspire and have the ability to bring about change.

Accountability

Accountability assesses and measures progress against commitments and standards, with a view to induce improvement by means of pressure (advocacy, media coverage), or because better understanding is generated.

Leaders will be asked to account for their actions (whether laws, statements, policies, programmes, practices, and/or monetary allocations) or inaction, and for their results.

Tools and systems for accountability, and examples of effective approaches to holding leaders accountable will be highlighted.