Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Supporting Parliamentary Leaders to Improve Global Health: Lessons From the Field

Featured Speakers: Hon. Elma Dienda, Namibia and Brionne Dawson, NDI


Hon. Dienda began the presentation with a discussion about her work in Namibia. She explained that lack of commitment from law makers in-country regarding HIV/AIDS makes fighting the pandemic difficult. Women, who have little decision-making power in the household, are especially at risk without laws that protect their rights. Hon. Dienda recommended increasing discussion about HIV/AIDs testing, as well as general education about the disease.


Ms. Dawson discussed the National Democratic Institute’s efforts to work with local governments in order to increase parliamentarian commitment to creating HIV/AIDS laws. Dawson explained that NDI conducted 12 Country Surveys to report what steps legislators in Africa have taken to combat the disease. Through constituent outreach, NDI is working to enhance parliamentary and private sector best practice, which model from arrangements such as De Beer’s free treatment for all employees schema in Namibia.


Sponsor: ICRW in Collaboration with Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative

Location: The Aspen Institute

Date: June 16, 2007

Time: 1-2:30p.m.

Approximate Number of Attendees: 24

Intern Attending: Meredith Blair

No comments: