To succeed we must go further than simply encouraging individual programmes to “just do it.” To work well PE must be supported by a coherent, scientific, and sustainable inter-sectoral system. This system is evolving from a unique national consultative process that started in 2000, involving hundreds of South Africans, national and provincial departments of health, education, and social development, and dozens of organisations and institutions.

The building blocks of this integrated system are:

• Consensus about goals, essential elements and guidelines for the practice of peer education addressing a variety of audiences in multiple settings. These are described in the Rutanang manuals developed through the national consultative process;
• Common indicators and a coherent management information system;
• Accreditation for programmes and individuals to ensure performance quality, career development, and system sustainability; and
• A stable and credible resource to support PE programmes through training, continuing technical assistance, materials development, and research and evaluation. CSPE is that resource.