RESUMEN
PIP: The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) started collaborating with nongovernmental organizations (NGO) in 1990 because their numbers had multiplied, because the state-supported health care was diminishing with the result of worsening health conditions among vulnerable populations, and because of the growing ability of NGOs to deliver health care. NGOs are community-based organizations with local responses to specific situations led by highly motivated and energetic leaders but with limited funds and technology. In order to be considered as partners in development by donors and governments they must be strong. PAHO supports NGOs and forges links between different NGOs and other social agencies including the public health system. Many NGOs grew angry because they were ostracized by HIV/AIDS control and prevention programs. Some AIDS NGOs were formed by people sidelined because of their sexual orientation, and women's groups and evangelical churches are at variance with such NGOs, both clamoring for limited resources. This circumstance made collaboration between different NGOs difficult and made it difficult to establish a joint front to negotiate with governments. However, the spread of the epidemic and shrinking donor funds have awakened them to the reality of combining forces as the best strategy to change government policy and social attitudes. AIDS NGOs are now seeking partnerships to strengthen their capacity to complement public sector health efforts. PAHO considers strategic planning as the tool for helping NGOs channel their energies into successful actions. This requires management and analytical skills for development planning, programming, and policy dialogue. In October 1992, PAHO held, in Buenos Aires, the first of 3 strategic planning seminars for NGOS working on AIDS in Argentina, with the attendance of 26 NGOs. The second seminar, which was held in Rosario in April 193, was attended by 14 NGOs and 6 governmental organizations, indicative of the need for an AIDS fighting network.^ieng