GAPA Mission Statement

The GAPA mission is to reduce alcohol-related harm worldwide by promoting science-based policies independent of commercial interests.

Objectives

Provide a forum for alcohol policy advocates through meetings, information sharing, publications, and electronic communications; with the purpose to disseminate information internationally on effective alcohol policies and policy advocacy;

Bring to the attention of national governments, international governmental and non-governmental agencies and communities the social, economic, and health consequences of alcohol consumption and related harm; with the purpose to advocate for international and national governmental and non-governmental efforts to reduce alcohol related harm worldwide;

Co-operate with national and local organizations and communities to alleviate alcohol-related problems;

Encourage international research on the social and health impact of the actions of the multinational alcohol beverage industry;

Monitor and promote research on the impact of international trade agreements on alcohol-related harm;

Monitor the activities of the alcoholic beverage industry;

Place priority on research and advocacy regarding those parts of the world where alcohol problems are increasing;

Ensure that member groups in those areas have the technology and support capacity to participate in a global network for communication and action.

Associated bodies and individuals recognized by GAPA at Regional and National level

The GAPA mission is to reduce alcohol-related harm worldwide by promoting science-based policies independent of commercial interests. GAPA will work to extend our network based on two objectives:

To be a strong voice for alcohol policy globally

To be a more effective advocacy network in specific global, regional and national issues.

NGOs and institutions may become members of GAPA by joining a regional organisation approved by GAPA. Where no such regional body exist they may form one or in the interim be directly associated with GAPA. Associates would be the network of organisations which are recognised by the regional bodies.

Regional bodies:

Membership of GAPA is open to regional non-governmental organisations (NGO) alliances and coalitions and individual NGOs and institutions. Government bodies, inter-governmental organisations or businesses cannot be members of the Alliance;

In order to become part of GAPA the regional body and their constituent members need to sign the core values as expressed in the Missions statement and Objectives. They must also sign the Statement on not receiving any funding from or providing in-kind services or support to alcohol companies or their subsidiaries, agents, Social Aspect Organisations or consultants;

New regional bodies must be endorsed by a GAPA board decision.

Associate NGOs:

New associates must be endorsed by two current regional body associate organisations and receive no objections from current regional or GAPA associates;

Associate NGOs need to sign the core values as expressed in the Missions statement and Objectives. They must also sign the Statement on not receiving any funding from or providing in-kind services or support to alcohol companies or their subsidiaries, agents, Social Aspect Organisations or consultants;

Associate NGOs should be willing to fill out and make simple information about themselves available on the GAPA and/or regional body website;

Individuals not affiliated to an organisation can also join the information network, but they must first be approved by existing associates, in the same way as NGOs, and will not appear in any list of associate organisations.

As associates NGOs may:

Participate in regional networks, including having opportunities to participate in events and trainings as funding/space is available;

Receive regular listserve mailings from international and regional coordinators;

Access internal (advocacy oriented) information in a separate log-in section of the GAPA or regional body web site;