LEAHN will co-host the 2nd Regional Consultation on Law Enforcement and the HIV Response alongside the Third Regional Conference on Harm Reduction this week in Beirut. The Consultation is supported by the International Development Law Organisation, UNAIDS, MENAHRA and UNDP. The meeting will bring together law enforcement officials, health professionals, civil society representatives among others to highlight ways law enforcement can play a key role in facilitating harm reduction approaches in partnership with other government agencies and the community.
MENAHRA is hosting the “Third Regional Conference on Harm Reduction” from 23-25 November 2016 in Beirut. The theme of the conference is “Reduce Harm, Ensure Rights”.
MENAHRA aims to advocate and encourage the adoption of harm reduction strategies in the MENA region and to stress on the Rights of Key populations to End AIDS. The conference is anticipated to host professionals, activists, communities and academics engaged in harm reduction strategies.
The conference will include several presentations and lectures accounting experiences and strategies of harm reduction that have been adopted worldwide. Many associations, institutions, networks, groups and individuals will be invited to attend this conference, in addition to the regional UN offices and other official authorities working on harm reduction, HIV/AIDS, and drugs.
The conference has the following goals and objectives:
Goal
The main goal of the conference is to advocate for and promote Harm Reduction in the countries of the MENA region and to foster networking between civil society organizations and other stakeholders working in the field.
Objectives
- To exchange information and to share experiences and research among experts, civil society, government organizations and key population representatives from the region
- To update the participants on the latest information on harm reduction programs
- To advocate for a higher political commitment from stakeholders and donors in the region
- To encourage the documentation of successful experiences in harm reduction, for further use in advocacy and experience sharing
- To promote, scale up and to expand the MENAHRA Network activities