Www.global-campaign.org What Do We Mean by Community?

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What Do We Mean by Community?


Competing & Changing Definitions of Community

• “…separate and overlapping groups of people who are infected and affected by HIV in various ways”

– Good Participatory Practice, UNAIDS/AVAC

• “ …trial participants, their families and partners, other local stakeholders, and service providers/community groups within the geographic parameters of the clinical trial location.

– MDS Civil Society Working Group Report

• “…the group of people who will participate in or are likely to be affected by or have an influence on the conduct of the research.”

– HIV Prevention Trials Network, Community Program FAQs


…Or No Definition At All

• In addition to many competing definitions, often times people talk about “community” without defining what they mean or who they are specifically referring to.


Locating Community

• When we talk about community, it is important to frame the discussion in terms of:

– Who is included in the particular “community” we are discussing?

– And distinguish which “level” we are referring to


“Trial Participants & Study Staff” refers to the

women directly participating in

the trial, in some instances their partner(s), and

study staff working at the

trial site.


“Host Community” refers to the

individuals living in the area of the trial, their leaders, and community-based organizations that serve or represent them directly. This

can also include traditional healers,

local radio, and other community

structures (including CABs)


“National Stakeholders”

describes anyone who has a role to play in the political, scientific, and

social enterprise of microbicide

development in the larger, national community.

It includes political decision-makers, MoH,

regulatory bodies, ethical review

committees, national NGOs, donors, national

media, etc.


“International Civil Society” refers to

non-profit, organized, citizen-led movements or groups interested in the goals, process, and

outcomes of microbicide research, and/or in the

rights of communities or research participants.

Civil society includes international or regional

NGOs (GCM/UNAIDS), international

or media.


Community Education Staff Typically Work in This Arena

But need to also think of

ways to move

beyond the host

community into

stakeholder and civil society arenas


Whereas NGOs have typically worked in this arena

And have recently

started to think of

ways to also engage with

host communities

, trial participants and study

staff


Locating Community: Real Life Examples

Community Mapping

NHVMAG Consultation on National SOC

Guidelines

GPP Process

ICASO Community Voices Project

Www.global-campaign.org What Do We Mean by Community?

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