In preparation for the then upcoming G8 Summit in Germany, the Health Working Group for the 2008 Japan G8 Summit NGO Forum with JOICFP acting as the secretariat, presented a set of recommendations to MOFA at the 74th GII/IDI Regular Meeting, on 21st May.

The recommendations called on the G8 to “make unprecedented efforts toward realization of a world where health is guaranteed for all people. (Full text pdf)

The recommendations are divided into those for the G8 countries and those specifically for Japan, under the headings of:

• Reaffirm and fully implement existing international goals and agreements,
  
  including; ICPD PoA, and ensuring universal access to RH services by 2015
• Formulate and implement effective measures to strengthen African health care systems
• Realize universal access to essential health services,
  
  including; promoting comprehensive approaches to integrate measures against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria with RH services.
  Realizing universal access to preventing mother-to-child transmission.

Referring to the draft framework of Country Assistance Plans (CAPs) of Ethiopia, Senegal and Tanzania that had been opened to NGO comments earlier this year, GII/IDI NGOs questioned the low priority that health seemed to be given in the draft.

NGOs also asked about the consistency of CAPs with Japan’s “Health and Development” Initiative (HDI) as well as how NGOs can become further involved in the formulation process.

MOFA explained that CAPs are formulated basically in line with Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers and national development programs, if any, of the recipient countries while also focusing on the MDGs and comparative advantages of Japan’s ODA.

Because CAPs were five-year programs for Japan’s aid policy, they are developed in a larger picture with emphasis on standardization and simplification, MOFA added.

MOFA explained that there are a number of initiatives other than health-related ones, and how they are reflected in CAPs will be decided by the ODA Task Force formulated in the field as well as in Tokyo, and although health might not be explicitly stated, it was included.

MOFA said that NGO input at the field level was important in the formulation of CAP draft frameworks, especially as NGOs had experience and detailed information of the grassroots, which could be used to better direct the flow of ODA.

NGOs responded they were willing to collaborate on CAPs of countries whose CAPs are to be newly formulated or revised in fiscal 2007, adding that five NGOs from the GII/IDI network were currently working in Zambia, whose CAP is to be revised, and were ready to collaborate on CAP for that country.

The third in a series of case studies showing NGOs comparative advantages explained a two-year HIV prevention project in Thailand. The project has been implemented in cooperation with UNDP, funded through the Human Security Fund established by Japan in the UN.

One outcome of the project was a recommendation to international organizations and the donor community that future projects last at least three to five years for effective behavior change and capacity development to take place.

MOFA recognized that the project was a good example of NGOs working well in cooperation with a UN organization.