Italian Association Amici di Raoul Follereau (AIFO)

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Alliances & Links

Resources & Training

ALLIANCES

At international level, AIFO is in official relationship with World Health Organisation. AIFO also collaborates with a large number of international NGOs, especially through ILEP (International Anti-Leprosy Federation), IDDC (International Consortium on Disability and Development) and PHM (People’s Health Movement).

WHO – World Health Organisation

AIFO is in official relationship with WHO and participates in the world health assembly in Geneva in May. In WHO, AIFO has especially close relations with Disability and Rehabilitation team (DAR), with which it has a four years (2004 - 2007) joint plan of action. AIFO also collaborates with department of infective diseases of WHO especially for fight against leprosy and Buruli ulcer.

Some of the recent activities carried out by AIFO in collaboration with WHO/DAR included the following:

• Organisation of an international meeting of international training centres and experts on training of CBR programme managers.
• Publication and distribution of a report on promotion of community-based rehabilitation in urban slums.
• Collaboration for the organisation of the international conference in Helsinki, Review of CBR; a specific web page on Review of CBR on the AIFO homepage was launched for this conference.
• Preparation of a document on strengthening of national rehabilitation services.
• In collaboration with regional offices of WHO, supporting the organisation of regional inter-country meetings on strengthening of national rehabilitation services and application of UN Standard Rules.
• Organisational of an international training ocurse for CBR programme managers.

ILEP – International Federation of Anti-leprosy organisations

AIFO is one of the founder members of International Federation of Anti-leprosy Organisations (ILEP). The federation is characterized by strong links with different ILEP members for promoting coordinated work for leprosy control all over the world. This coordinated approach allows avoiding of duplication and identification of areas where services are needed. AIFO supports important projects of other ILEP members and receives from them funds for its own work. ILEP is also an important forum for promoting joint action with other European members for co-funding from European Union. Another significant area of work for ILEP is preparation and distribution of quality teaching and learning materials on leprosy.

Dr. Sunil Deepak, director of medical support department of AIFO is ILEP’s president for the years 2003-2006.

IDDC – International Disability and Development Consortium

AIFO is a founding member of International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC) bringing together international NGOs involved in disability and rehabilitation. In the Consortium, Ms. Francesca Ortali from Project Division of AIFO is coordinator of the CBR task group.

CdS – Circle of Solidarity Raoul Follereau - Fr. Damien

Circle brings together different organisations inspired by thoughts of Raoul Follereau and Fr. Damien and has the objective to promote information about them to people, especially to young people. Five European Associations are members of CdS - Switzerland Raoul Follereau Association, AIFO/Italy, Damien Foundation Belgium, Luxemburg Raoul Follereau Foundation and Portuguese Association Manos Unida Fr. Damien. In addition Guyana CBR Committee is an associate member of CdS. Different member associations of CdS assume the role of coordinator by rotation. For 2003-04, Luxemburg R. Follereau Foundation is coordinator of CdS.

PHM – People’s Health Movement

People’s Health Movement brings together persons from all over the world in the fight for right to health. The Charter of the movement approved during the first assembly held in Bangladesh in December 2000, explains the guiding principles of the movement. Dr. Sunil Deepak of AIFO's Medical Support Department is PHM focal point in Italy, that counts on the involvement and support of large number of health professionals and volunteers from all over Italy.

International collaborations with European NGOs

AIFO collaborates with a number of international organisations. In addition, AIFO also has joint co-financing activities from European Commission in collaboration with some European NGOs. During 2003 collaboration with different European NGOs continued and new joint projects for co-financing were launched. These included 4 joint projects with Fondation Luxembourgeoise Raoul Follearu (Luxembourg) and one project each with The British Leprosy Relief Association-LEPRA (UK), Fontilles Lucha contra la Lepra (Spain) e Deutsches Lepra und Tuberkulosehilfe-DAHW (Germany). In 2004, AIFO is planning a consortile project of Development Education on Right to Health, in collaboration with partner organisations from 7 European countries including Buko-Pharma (Germany) and Wemos (Netherlands).

IDEA - International Association for Integration, Dignity and Economic Advancement

IDEA brings together the organisations of leprosy affected persons in the world. AIFO has a long history of collaboration with IDEA. Mr. Bacurao, one of the founders of IDEA and Morhan (Brazil) received the Raoul Follereau Award in 1994. IDEA itself received the Raoul Follereau award in 2000. AIFO firmly believes that leprosy affected persons must play an active role in shaping the policies related to leprosy control and rehabilitation activities. Recently, AIFO supported the visit of resource persons from IDEA to Mozambique with the aim of promoting the development of similar Mozambican organisation of leprosy affected persons.

Strategic Alliances in Italy

AIFO has a number of strategic alliances in Italy and participates in many national campaigns and movements. The following participations are cited for their importance:

CNAL: AIFO has a consultative status with Italian Bishop's Conference.

FOCSIV - Volontari nel Mondo: AIFO is member of the Itlaian federation of NGOs called FOCSIV.

Assemblea delle ONG: AIFO is also a member of the Italian general assembly of NGOs, which brings together all the Italian NGOs.

CIVITAS, the trade fair of third sector held in Padua in May 2003

Bi…launching the cooperation, national campaign directed by Italian institutions for instituting a specific chapter of national balance directed towards activities of international cooperation and solidarity.

No dumping, opinion campaign directed towards citizens as consumers, for blocking those trade practices that are an obstacle to growth and development of developing countries.

+ dai – versi, opinion campaign for a new law on financial deductibility of donations made to non-profit organisations.

Liliput Movement and Tavola della Pace: AIFO also participates in Liliput Movement and the Peace table in Italy.

AIFO’s role in the editorial committee of weekly magazine Vita also deserves a special mention.