Lusaka Social Protection Colloquium: HIV and Social Protection Assessment Tool

The quarterly Lusaka Social Protection Colloquium is a joint initiative of the Southern African Social Protection Network (SASPEN) and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) to bring internationally renowned Social Protection experts to Zambia to address the interested public, experts, policy makers and stakeholders.

The 1^st Quarter 2018 Colloquium will be centred on the HIV and Social Protection Assessment Tool, developed by UNAIDS and partners. This tool is used for a quick assessment of existing national social programmes and their sensitivity to the HIV response in the respective country. It also promotes additional follow-up and research that engages the different critical actors, including HIV programme managers, Social Protection administrators, practitioners, beneficiaries and civil society representatives. The HIV and Social Protection Assessment provides countries and communities with tailored analysis on HIV and Social Protection.

Presentations by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS), particularly the Department of Planning, the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Protection Liberia and the Network of Zambian People Living with HIV/AIDS will share policy interventions and experiences in utilization of the HIV and Social Protection Assessment Tool and how this can strengthen national Social Protection frameworks in Zambia. The opening speech will be held by Minister of Community Development and Social Services Hon. Emerine Kabanshi on MCDSS responsiveness to HIV in the implementation of Social Protection framework. The keynote address will be given by Mr. David Chipanta who is the Senior Advisor on Social Protection of UNAIDS in Geneva.