From May 1st to 9th Victor Adula the Programmes Manager of Consolation being assisted by the staff of Focus for the Future Generation  facilitated a workshop on Policy Review to the CSOs of Tanzania. This review supported by GIZ focused on HIV policy and its application in meeting the needs of the youth.  In conducting the policy review, the CSOs were exposed to comparative analysis that contrasted similarities and differences in the policy review activity. In using comparative analysis, participants compared local existing or proposed policies to those of the international frameworks such as WHO or with those of other countries.  CSO’s were also made to realise that individual experiences are very important to ensuring that policies made respond to the lived realities and also to people’s needs. A good policy review should lead to identifying gaps and strengths of existing or proposed policies and enable the contribution of ideas to either reinforce strengths or redress gaps.

While conducting the workshop, a number of policies were reviewed by the CSOs of Tanzania. Some of the policies were in their draft forms while others are existing in the country. Participants were taken through reflections of each of the identified policies where they developed deeper understanding. The later also gave their own experiences which made them realise that there were gaps between policies and realities. Participants were enabled to access policies from other countries and also from international bodies such as WHO. At the end of the workshop, the Youth were able to develop a strategy of engaging policy makers to present their recommendations for improving the current policies.