Ministry of Women and Community Development

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What ?

sector

Where ?

When ?

With whom ?

Connecting UNICEF’s strategy on HIV AIDS with a communication strategy+
Connecting UNICEF’s strategy on HIV AIDS with a communication strategy

Sector?

HIV AIDS; Child Rights

What?

Strategic Planning; Strategic Communication

Where?

Malaysia

Why?

For many years UNICEF had partnered with the Government of Malaysia to deliver numerous and effective grassroots initiatives. With the rapid strides Malaysia made in development and achieved a middle-income country status, it was felt that UNICEF could advance the well being of children in Malaysia more effectively by becoming an upstream partner of the government. UNICEF’s then executive director Carol Bellamy had hand picked the dynamic CEO of UNICEF Australia Gaye Phillips to set in a Malaysia a model of engagement with middle-income countries.

When?

2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

What exactly?

In 2005, UNICEF’s Representative appointed me to link the organization’s HIV AIDS programs to a meaningful communication strategy.

In addition to developing a comprehensive strategy on up-streaming UNICEF’s HIV AIDS program in Malaysia, key Strategic Communication products were developed:

  1. Video documentary- “Women in AIDS”: Conceptualized this video documentary to celebrate and document the contribution of women from various walks of life in the fight against HIV AIDS in Malaysia. This video galvanized support from the Govt. of Malaysia and the donor community for UNICEF’s HIV AIDS program.
  2. Video documentaries- Conceptualized video documentaries on joint projects of UNICEF & Ministry of Health that reflect the impact of good partnerships. These included the video capsules on ProStar Youth Initiative (Peer counseling), Village Health Promoters and Youth & Drugs. Youth volunteers for UNICEF in Malaysia filmed the films.
  3. Launch of UNICEF’s global campaign- “Unite for Children Unite Against AIDS” in Malaysia: After the global campaign against polio in the 70s, this is UNICEF’s biggest global campaign. Sunoor Verma co-conceptualized the Malaysia launch of this campaign in partnership with the Ministry of Health.
  4. High Profile Events: Conceptualized the launch of UNICEF’s Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Award in Malaysia. A top-level corporate event, it brought in valuable support for UNICEF’s programs in Malaysia from the corporate sector.

With- whom?

UNICEF

Prime Minister’s Office,Economic Planning Unit, Malaysia

Minister of Health

Attorney General of Malaysia

Minister of Women and Community Development

What happened?

UNICEF became the partner of choice of the Malaysian government on HIV AIDS

“ He has demonstrated his problem solving skills and emphasizes the need to back up words with action, and the need to engage in solutions that are forward-looking. ”

Michael Szporluk
Expert, Civil Society Development
Mercy Corps

Up-streaming UNICEF’s HIV AIDS portfolio in Malaysia+
Up-streaming UNICEF’s HIV AIDS portfolio in Malaysia

Sector?

HIV AIDS; Child rights; Women

What?

Strategic partnerships; Strategic communication; Dialogue management;

Where?

Malaysia

Why?

UNICEF has enjoyed a longstanding fruitful partnership with the Government of Malaysia. However with Malaysia graduating into a fast developing middle-income country it was felt that UNICEF could support the government better by becoming a policy partner. Countering HIV AIDS was one of the two MDGs that were eluding Malaysia. UNICEF felt that it could add value to the efforts of the government in that area.

When?

2005

What exactly?

Identifying key areas of support required by the Ministry of Health of Malaysia to address HIV AIDS & children & Youth in Malaysia. Key components of this support involved

  1. Identification of potential partners and analysis of their capacity & risk
  2. High level negotiations and building of strategic partnership with government and civil society representatives.
  3. Policy analysis and advise on partnerships, HIV AIDS.
  4. Development of project portfolio on HIV/ AIDS.

With- whom?

UNICEF

Prime Minister’s Office, Malaysia

Ministry of Health, Malaysia

Institute of Health Management, Malaysia

Ministry of Women and Community Development, Malaysia

What happened?

UNICEF became a close partner of the Malaysian government in addressing HIV AIDS through policy interventions.

“ I believe Sunoor Verma is well apt to mediate in conflicts, as he comes across as straightforward and trustworthy, calm and with a good listening ear. ”

Ulrika Lindberg-Labasauskas
Head of Development Cooperation
Embassy of Sweden in Skopje

Review of the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) program of the Government of Malaysia+
Review of the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) program of the Government of Malaysia

Sector?

HIV AIDS; Women; Child rights

What?

Assessment & Evaluation

Where?

Malaysia

Why?

To improve the delivery of the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV programs in Malaysia it was important to establish a baseline of the ground situation. The second challenge was to find ways of engaging the growing private health care providers in this public health initiative.

Finding ways of engaging the growing private health care sector to implement the PMTCT program.

When?

2006, 2007

What exactly?

I was tasked with conceptualizing and negotiating with the government of Malaysia the conducting of the first qualitative and quantitative survey of Malaysia’s PMTCT program. I also worked closely with the teams at the Ministry of Health in the design of the study and the analysis of the results.

With- whom?

UNICEF

Ministry of Health, Malaysia

Ministry of Women and Community Development

What happened?

The first qualitative and quantitative survey of Malaysia’s PMTCT program was done. This helped Malaysia make evidence based decisions on the future direction of this program.

“ Dr Verma provides consultancy and organizational services in the
development area that are second to none. His strong emphasis on stake-holder involvement in needs-assessments, project delivery and evaluation is impressive… ”

Marc Weller
Director
Eurpean Centre for Minority Issues, Germany