Questions about projects funded by the Gates Foundation

At the end of 2009 it is essential for the organization of tobacco control in countries of francophone Africa as activists continue (or begin) to claim to be involved in decision-making and programs giants (by compared to what existed before) whose stated goal is to help them.

These programs giants are now number 4:

1. The Gates Foundation has granted two years ago (in November 2007) to the Canadian IDRC / CDRI more than 5 million dollars which we estimate only about 30% have been spent to date on projects. Many groups and countries are still excluded, so that this funding level everyone could be involved (including "micro-grants"). Communication, transparency and governance are deeply flawed. What commitments can be taken and held that IDRC / CDRI improve its operation and that more countries be involved?

2. In July 2009, the Gates Foundation has chosen the American Cancer Society to conduct a second project for the tobacco sub-Saharan countries to the tune of 7 million dollars over 5 years. This project claimed several new principles of organization including the creation of a consortium of representatives of African civil society and limiting administrative costs (even if they remain consistent at 20%). Where is this project now? What can we expect concrete in terms of governance, transparency, participation of all or more and not just a few, selected in advance and always the same? Can we expect to operate in French for Francophone or will we remain in what can only be described as imperialism of the English language?

3. In August 2009, the Gates Foundation has awarded 9.9 million dollars over 5 years to the Initiative for a Tobacco Free WHO to promote tobacco control in Sub-Saharan Africa. Under what conditions the project will happen managed? Will there a limit to administrative costs? What can we expect concrete in terms of governance, transparency, participation of civil society? So far the activists were not involved in the process of setting up while the project statement as it appears on the site of the Gates Foundation specifically mentioned their participation.

4. In October 2009, CTFK which manages some funds sustantielle Bloomberg Initiative against smoking and also received tens of millions of dollars from the Gates Foundation (via Bloomberg) organized a meeting in Nairobi of African Jurists. Sue requires funds, do CTFK is ready to support judicial and other regulatory and legislative efforts? How quickly, how and with which partners? How will it take into account the specific legal language and French-speaking countries? Francophone countries of Africa can they expect to interact collectively (and not only through individual applications) with CTFK and do in French?