In FY08, the USG will continue to contribute to the policy dialogue with the Ivorian Ministry of Economy and

Finance for the development of public-private sector initiatives that can contribute to the sustainability of

expanded HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment services. However, PEPFAR programs will also

expand beyond traditional public-private partnership (PPPs) by partnering with Embassy Abidjan's Political

and Economic Section _The goal is to utilize the expertise and strengths of the State Department to

leverage a more effective policy dialogue.

Specific activities of the Political/Economic Section with PEPFAR support will include:

- Creating partnerships based on the Global Development Alliance (GDA) model with U.S. and foreign

NGOs (B/M Gates Foundation, others) to support private companies in building PPPs. Several private

companies are currently focusing on sensitization efforts addressing child labor in the cocoa industry (Cote

d'Ivoire is the world's top cocoa producer). The Pol/Econ section will work to expand and link these efforts

while introducing a PEPFAR-supported HIV/AIDS component. In addition, the Pol/Econ section will target

companies that are interested in corporate social-responsibility efforts in Cote d'Ivoire (e.g. Kraft, OLAM) to

implement such activities in rural and urban settings.

- Leveraging other donors and partners (such as the World Bank, IMF, AfDB, EC, and GTZ) to promote

good-governance campaigns focusing on civil society. The_Pol/Econ section has experience with the

Transparency Initiative national committee and similar structures created to enhance transparency within

the agribusiness sector by focusing on training in financial and project management and accounting,

financial auditing, the process of issuing RFPs and tenders, and the drafting of legislation. In partnership

with other donors, the_Pol/Econ section will expand its training to include a portion of PEPFAR's many local

HIV/AIDS NGOs.

- Partnering with other donors to extend outreach of services to agribusiness producers in underserved

areas. NGOs such as the Sustainable Tree Crops Program, Winrock, and others are interested in reaching

out to farmers' groups in the North, especially groups that depend on products whose prices are currently in

distress (cotton, raw cashews, unprocessed mangoes). PEPFAR partner ANADER (the National Agency for

Rural Development) will reach out to farmers' groups in underserved areas. Using the Farmer Field School

method, such groups will convene members of cooperatives and other farming groups to discuss methods

of boosting yields, quality, and family incomes. In the context of each seminar or workshop, farmers will be

sensitized on HIV/AIDS issues, including gender-based violence and the importance of educating children

(particularly girls).

- Creating forums for an open dialogue on key policy and social challenges. The PEPFAR team will work

closely with the Pol/Econ section to select discussion topics and processes that contribute to the fight

against HIV/AIDS in Cote d'Ivoire. For example, with support from other donors, the Pol/Econ section will

conduct seminars and roundtables focusing on building women's leadership, promoting good governance

and transparency, eliminating the trafficking of girls, and the like. Ivorian civil society, senior government

leadership, and other potential change agents will be part of the target audiences selected to participate in

the seminars.

This activity is designed to enhance the effectiveness of Emergency Plan efforts through public outreach,

information-sharing, and diplomacy functions and events. FY07 funds will be allocated to the State

Department to help build both the public image and the social and technical networks of EP representatives

for maximum effectiveness at policy-making, technical implementation, and public-relations levels.

Examples of possible funded activities include a working breakfast with an interfaith coalition of religious

leaders and a USG-sponsored campaign featuring public appearances by positive, unifying role models

such as soccer stars to deliver behavior change communication (BCC) messages promoting delay of sexual

debut, fidelity, partner reduction, HIV counseling and testing, and positive gender and social norms.