AAI workshops are the most hands-on way in which capacity in accountability and data use for advocacy can be built.

AAI has discovered a lack of understanding around what accountability is and how effective a tool it can be when correctly understood and used in advocacy.

This content includes but is not limited to the following topics:

• What is accountability?
• Where do we get it, who do we get it from?
• What mechanisms can we use to increase accountability?
• What accountability is not
• Personalizing accountability

Content can be adapted to 30 minute presentations, full morning session workshop or full day detailed case study workshops.

AAI prides itself on only working on needs-driven research and advocacy. As HIV is mainstreamed into sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) AAI has also adapted as we keep our “finger on the pulse” of the needs of partners and our constituency. With fewer resources available around the globe for HIV, as well as related poverty-linked preventable diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria, this is a common-sense step to make. These workshops have thus been developed as a response to the needs to partners and evolved based on feedback from participants.

Workshops can be customized to suit the background and experience of the participants, and the emphasis altered while the workshops are in progress based on the dynamics of the group. For example a workshop for HIV positive youth would be run differently to that for LGBTI activists. Similarly, the discussions in a women’s workshop reflect different issues to those that are raised in a youth workshop.

AAI has conducted various workshops to date and they have been well attended and well received.

"ONE OF THE MOST ENLIGHTENING SESSIONS" “AAI has collaborated with SAfAIDS during the training of MPs and CSOs around the Maputo Plan of Action. The 3 -day training workshops are built around bringing MPs and CSOs together as representatives of the people. Focus is on building effective CSO coalitions that are able to hold the legislature to account with regards to ensuring universal access to SRHR. The role played by AAI is to deliver the training on Accountability. During the workshops recently conducted in Malawi and Swaziland, this has proven to be a topic that gets participants talking; it evokes active debates about accountability - to who? and why?. During the evaluations, it was cited as one of the most enlightening sessions that was ably delivered by the team members from AAI (Phillipa Tucker and Danga Mughogho). The practical exercises, in particular, were deemed interesting and effective.” Ketlogetswe Montshiwa, SAfAIDS.

"THE CAPACITY TO PROMOTE ACCOUNTABILITY IS CRITICAL" “Increasingly, civil society organizations are recognizing that they not only need to advocate for policies and programs but that ensuring that policies and programs are effectively implemented is an integral part of their role and responsibility. With respect to youth-led and youth serving organizations, the capacity to promote accountability is critical in addressing the myriads of challenges facing young people. The good news is that these organizations recognize the need to acquire relevant knowledge and skills to promote accountability and as such we all need to make the decisions that will strengthen them to deliver more and improved services to young people.” Eka Williams, Ford Foundation.

Contact Details

Phillipa Tucker phillipa [email protected]

Read the policy brief/working paper by Phillipa Tucker.

AAI-Accountability-Theory-for-Africa-Health-Response-Working-Paper-Phillipa-Tucker-with-toc-2

The paper discusses the following issues:

Accountability: What power?

What’s in a commitment?

The problem with commitments

What kind of commitment?

From promises to accountable action

What is Accountability?

• THE ORIGINS OF ACCOUNTABILITY
• ACCOUNTABILITY IN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE

Types of accountability

• VERTICAL ACCOUNTABILITY
• HORIZONTAL ACCOUNTABILITY
• TOP-DOWN ACCOUNTABILITY

Getting accountability: Who and how?

• CITIZENS
• CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS
• GLOBALIZATION
• HUMAN RIGHTS
• LOSS OF POLITICAL SUPPORT
• CONSTITUTIONAL OBSTRUCTION
• POLITICAL CAMPAIGNING

The Accountability Process

AIDS Accountability

AAI Accountability Literacy Workshop Powerpoint Presentation

Use this PowerPoint Presentation to run your own Accountability Literacy Workshop.

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Other organisations

A brief introduction to various types of accountability

AISA exists to promote the concept and practice of non-financial accountability in South African organisations and institutions

A funny video on lack of personal accountability

Commonwealth Foundation: Various civil society accountability toolkits

Commonwealth Foundation: Civil Society Accountability: Principles and Practice. A toolkit for civil society organizations in Uganda

Holding yourself accountable: video

Public Service Accountability Monitor (PSAM)

Social Accountability in Action -- Engaging Communities in Health Services: Absenteeism

Using the media as a means of increasing accountability

Resources for sale

CRM Learning: The Accountability Toolkit - Government Version (For purchase)

Social Accountability in Africa: Practitioners’ Experiences and Lessons: Book