Who created it?
In 2003, NGOs from around the globe met to re-examine the challenges faced in the HIV response and decided there was a need to support and strengthen commitment to the quality of the NGO response to HIV. Over the next year, the Code of Good issues Practice for NGOs Responding to HIV/AIDS was developed to provide a shared vision of good practice principles to which NGOs can commit and be held accountable.
The development of the Code was overseen by a committee of 16 Steering Committee organisations:
- ActionAid International
- CARE USA
- Global Health Council
- Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+)
- Grupo Pela Vidda
- Hong Kong AIDS Foundation
- International Council of AIDS Service Organisations (ICASO)
- International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
- International Harm Reduction Association
- International HIV/AIDS Alliance
- World Council of Churches
Based on human rights and public health principles the NGO Code of Good Practice draws on lessons learned over the past 25 years. It includes Guiding, Organisational and Programme Principles, with references to the evidence on which the principles are based and relevant tools that are available to support NGOs.
The development of the Code involved extensive global consultation with a wide range of NGOs including development agencies, AIDS specialist groups, networks of people living with HIV, sexual and reproductive health initiatives and faith based organizations. The wide ranging consultation ensured that by the time it was launched 160 international and national NGOs had signed up to the Code.