MATHARE YOUTH SPORTS ASSOCIATION

Photo: KAO Network members visit to Mathare.

Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) will host the 7^th biennial meeting for the Kicking AIDS Out! Network at Nairobi’s Utalii Hotel from the 10^th to 12^th October 2012. This meeting shall bring together 35 participants from Eastern and Southern Africa, Europe, Caribbean, Asia and Pacific with an aim

• To discuss, deliberate and approve the strategic direction of the Network put forward by the Advisory Committee (based on hearings–consultations/input)
• To review Networks governance and operation structure in line with agreed communication strategy
• To review and terminate membership in line with signed MOU/criteria
• To approve and/or adopt reports
• To vote and appoint members to the Advisory Committee or renew their terms
• To approve endorsed developed documents/tools and policies.

Kicking AIDS Out! Network is one of the largest international network of organisations using sports and physical activity as a means of raising awareness around HIV and AIDS and other health related issues through leadership development and life skills education and the widest diversified reach. The concept started as an initiative of EDUSPORT Foundation (a Zambian Sports NGO) supported by NORAD (the Norwegian Development Agency) in 2001, in co-operation with the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF). Programmes implemented by member organisations integrate sport skills and life skills through movement games, sports, physical and recreational activities.

The Network has grown with a membership of 21 non- governmental organisation from East Africa, Southern Africa, Asia, Europe, Caribbean and Pacific/Ocenia with MYSA being a key member of this innovative Network.

The Kicking AIDS Out! Network provides “…a platform for sharing, learning, cooperation and visibility among organisations that use sport to empower and positively influence the lives of young people.” Central to the success and sustainability of Kicking AIDS Out! has been the emphasis on capacity building as defined in the above mission statement.