Global Network of Researchers on
HIV/AIDS in the Middle East and North Africa Region (GNR-MENA)

Justification for network: The documented rise in the last three years of HIV infections in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is alarming. UNAIDS estimates of the total number of people living with HIV in the region had risen from 210,000 in 1998 to 460,000 in 2006; more than double the estimated cases. This past year 68,000 people were newly infected with HIV in the region and 36,000 adults and children died of AIDS-related conditions. This should be strong incentive for rapid international, regional and national action, yet relatively few efforts, to this date, have been made. In practice, HIV in the MENA region is poorly addressed by donor agencies and in most cases also by national agencies. Political, technical, financial and human resources, mobilization for HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support are close to nil. This lack of action stands in strong contrast to the epidemiology of STI/HIV in the region, with the doubling of HIV infections and a sharp rise in STIs. The characteristics of the HIV epidemic (and the STI pre-cursors) in MENA are adding to the urgency: the proportion of women infected is increasing and the major modes of transmission are heterosexual sex and intravenous drug use.

MENA is a troubled region of the world, with several dramatic military conflicts, terrorism of the world's largest scale, economic and other sharp inequalities, religious tensions, and several long lasting epidemics of severe infectious diseases. All of these social and economic factors significantly influence the spread of HIV/AIDS in the region. Perhaps due to these social conflicts, research on HIV/ AIDS and STIs in MENA is scarce. Across the region there is a clear need for more, better and in-depth information concerning the patterns of HIV transmission, especially among at-risk populations.

Group Background: The idea for the Global Network of Researchers on HIV/AIDS in the Middle East and North Africa Region (GNR-MENA) was conceived in April 2003 by an interdisciplinary team of fifteen scholars gathered in Chicago. The network is an effort to develop a collaborative, interdisciplinary research agenda on HIV/AIDS in the Middle East for the next five to ten years. One of the major goals of GNR-MENA is to be a scientific forum with no political or disciplinary boundaries that will help facilitate and promote research and scholarly exchange on HIV/AIDS in MENA. As of March 2007, we have 115 members.

Mission: The Global Network of Researchers on HIV/AIDS in the Middle East and North Africa is a network of researchers interested in the interdisciplinary study of HIV/AIDS. Its focus is on the manifestation of the disease and its epidemic nature in the Middle East and North Africa region.

GNR-MENA promotes and facilitates a regional, interdisciplinary approach to research on HIV/AIDS in the Middle East and North Africa.The network encourages rigorous research that addresses the epidemiological, socio-economic, cultural, and societal factors in the region that influence HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care, all of which its members view as clearly interconnected.

Objectives: GNR-MENA serves as a forum for scientific exchange, debate and networking for researchers from diverse perspectives and disciplines from around the world who are interested in studying, better understanding, and effectively responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Middle East and North Africa region.

To do this, the network has five main objectives:

1. To increase awareness of HIV/AIDS in MENA at the national, regional and international levels.

2. To develop research and educational agendas in the areas of work of its members.

3. To facilitate the flow and exchange of information, data, and study results among its members.

4. To publish and present joint statements, comparative and other data as well as educational materials.

5. To promote regional cooperation.

Participation in GNR-MENA is open to all researchers from the region and outside of it who share this vision. Membership is free.

Structure: The structure of this network is pyramidal in that it consists of a central advisory committee with several ancillary committees. Network administration and operation is housed at the University of Illinois-Chicago School of Medicine, where the idea for the network was originally conceived.  GNR-MENA membership and committee structure, however, spans the many countries and sites where participating researchers and clinicians are located.

Committees: GNR-MENA is made up of several committees, including the Advisory Committee, Research and Grants Committee, Conference Committee, Recruitment Committee and Communications/Website Committee. Committee members are volunteers. When necessary, elections will be held.

Membership: Participation in GNR-MENA is open to all researchers from the region and outside of it who share this vision. Membership is free. Membership in GNR-MENA is voluntary, individual, and open to researchers and clinicians from all disciplines who focus their research on HIV/AIDS in specific MENA countries or on the region as a whole.

Communication methods: Members communicate primarily via a members-only listserv. A moderator of the listserv is selected. Messages are checked for academic and topical relevance.

Funding: Funding for the infrastructure and projects of network members are sought from a variety of sources, international, regional and local. The GNR-MENA is not a funding source.

Letter from the Chair and Co-Founder of GNR-MENA, Sandy Sufian

Dear GNR-MENA members:

After four years of service to the Global Network of Researchers of
HIV/AIDS in the Middle East and North Africa, I announce my resignation
as Chair, starting September 2007. This announcement comes both with
hesitation-since I helped found GNR and have been acutely involved in
every step of its growth-but also with pride and optimism that the
organization has reached a new stage of its development and is now in
need of additional, innovative direction.

There are several reasons for my resignation, one professional and the
other having to do with the organization itself. First, I will become
involved in the coming years with a new project in my university
department that will require a full-time commitment. Second, with the
growth of GNR-MENA from 15 members in 2003 to 110 members in 2007, it is time for a subsequent change in leadership of GNR, the injection of some
fresh ideas and new, invigorated involvement of all members. In
particular, leadership and active engagement emerging from the region
itself is important for expanding and reflecting GNR-MENA's membership
as well as strengthening its legitimacy and impact.

As such, the election chair-Rachel Kaplan-has attached a call for
nominations for two positions: the Chair of GNR-MENA and the Executive
Director of GNR-MENA. These two positions were created by the Advisory
Committee of GNR-MENA and hold definite, limited years of tenure so as
to create a cycle of new leadership for continued growth. In essence, we
have taken the current chair position and divided it into two positions
so as to distribute the responsibilities and to involve more people in
the leadership process.

This election only concerns these two positions. Elections for new
committee chairs and committee members will take place after these two
leadership positions have been settled-likely in 2008.

As chair of the GNR elections, Rachel Kaplan will lead us through the
election process, reminding us of deadlines, required submissions and
results. Please forward any concerns or questions to Rachel.

It has been a pleasure to serve you these past four years. Thank you to
all those people who have been an active of GNR-MENA's initial stage of
development. I hope for the continued success of GNR-MENA as I am
convinced of its need and contribution to the interdisciplinary field of
HIV/AIDS research in the region.

Respectfully,

Sandy Sufian, PhD, MPH

Chair, GNR-MENA

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Please see the position descriptions for Chair and Executive Director below. The following timeline will be followed for the nomination and election process.

March 15, 2007: Nominations due. Members may nominate themselves or
other members. Please simply indicate the member's name.

March 31, 2007: Election materials due from each candidate. Please see
the position descriptions and materials needed for each position below.

April 10, 2007: Members will receive voting materials and ballots.

April 30, 2007: Ballots due. Vote for one candidate per position.

May 22, 2007: Election results will be announced.

Please send all questions, nominations, materials, and finally ballots
via email to rkaplan@globalhealth.ucsf.edu.

Many thanks,

Rachel

GNR-MENA Chair Description:

The GNR-MENA Chair is responsible for creating and sustaining a broad vision for the organization. The Chair establishes a two to five year plan of goals and activities, establishes contacts and creates partnerships with international and regional HIV/AIDS agencies, networks with key players and scholars in the region, creates and sustains sub-committees of GNR-MENA (research, communications, recruitment, etc.) and communicates with all levels of membership. The Chair serves as the chair of the Advisory Committee. The Chair assists the Executive Director (ED) in the implementation of programs and activities, helps the ED find funding streams, and assists the ED in fully and effectively implementing network goals.

There is a two year commitment for this position. The position will begin in September 2007. Candidates from the MENA region are particularly encouraged to apply. Candidates should prepare a one page summary of their vision for GNR-MENA for the next two to five years (plans for growth, relationships with agencies, etc.).

The position is entirely a voluntary one; no compensation is available at this time.

GNR-MENA Executive Director:

The GNR-MENA Executive Director (ED) is responsible for the managerial, logistic, and administrative operations of the network and implementation of the network's programmatic priorities. The ED maintains and updates the website, coordinates fundraising efforts, represents the network to funders and other potential partners, and cultivates membership and member involvement. The ED serves on the Advisory Committee and works with the Chair to establish and sustain committees. The ED is responsible for securing sufficient financial support and technical assistance to sustain the activities of the network.

This position requires a three year commitment and will begin training in September 2007 with full initiation of the position in January 2008. Candidates must prepare a two page summary identifying the institutional resources that will be available to support the ED (e.g. technical and computer support, research assistants, office supplies). The position is entirely voluntary; no compensation is available at this time.