HIV and AIDS Clearinghouse Updates September 2007

Transcription

1 HIV and AIDS Clearinghouse Updates September Latest News from the Clearinghouse 2. E-publications 3. Web Resources 4. Forthcoming Events in October November Latest News from the Clearinghouse The UNESCO Bangkok Condom Challenge! We encourage you to break our officially endorsed Guinness World Record for the world s longest condom chain, which stands at 24,516 tied condoms, measuring 2,715 metres. It is time for you to create your own Condom Chain and break our record! On World AIDS Day 2006, UNESCO Bangkok, with the support of many UN agencies, government offices, civil society organisations and the private sector, set the Guinness World Record for the world s longest chain of condoms. A total of 1,436 participants tied together a total of 24,516 condoms, measuring 2,715 metres long. This was done to promote condom use and HIV and AIDS prevention, with the underlying philosophy of being upbeat and positive about life and how best to protect it and live it. For information on how we created the Condom Chain of Life, please visit our website: or contact: Simon Baker, Chief, HIV/AIDS Coordination and School Health Unit, UNESCO Bangkok at: s.baker@unescobkk.org In response to our challenge, PSI Romania recently expressed their interest to set a new record by creating a condom chain of at least 3000m in a public event to raise awareness of the HIV epidemic in Romania, which is affecting mostly young people aged between 18 and 24. For further information on the planned event in Romania, please contact Cristian Branea, PSI Romania at cbranea@psi.ro Dissemination Workshop to Introduce the Teacher Training Manual for Teacher Training Institutes in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR September This workshop was organized by UNESCO Bangkok and the Lao National Commission for UNESCO, so to introduce a teacher Training Manual related to HIV, AIDS and STIs. The manual was adapted for the Lao context and then pre-tested. Twenty eight participants including representatives from the Teacher Training Department, teachers from eleven Teacher Training Institutions, the Lao National Commission for UNESCO and UNESCO representatives attended the workshop. Adaptation Workshop of a Standardized HIV and AIDS Reference Manual for Lao MSM Peer Educators and Outreach Workers A workshop was held on September 4-5 in Vientiane, Lao PDR to adapt and finalize the Peer and Outreach Education for Improving the Sexual Health of Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Reference Manual for Peer & Outreach Workers. This manual was developed by USAID, FHI/ARP and UNESCO Bangkok, with collaboration from the Purple Sky Network aims to help reduce HIV transmission among men having sex with men by making existing and new HIV prevention, care and support projects

2 more effective. The adaptation workshop helped to ensure that this manual is relevant and practical for local MSM peer educators and field workers across all organizations in the Lao PDR. Contact: Srisuman Sartsara, UNESCO Bangkok: UNESCO Global Network of Young TV Producers on HIV/AIDS reached new territories in Melanesia Three short documentaries on HIV/AIDS were launched by six young media producers from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Fiji during a two-week Workshop on Advanced Documentary and Script Writing held on July in Suva, Fiji. For further information, please contact: Abel Caine, UNESCO Office in Apia at a.caine@unesco.org or visit the link: URL_ID=25186&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html Latest Updates on the HIV/AIDS Coordination and School Health Unit s website: Selected materials related to Gender and HIV; and HIV and Disabilities were recently updated at the following links: Gender and HIV: HIV and Disabilities: 2. E-Publications HIV and Men who have Sex with Men in Asia and the Pacific UNAIDS, September 2006 This publication provides information about successful initiatives from six different countries-bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Hong Kong and New Zealand. Men living with HIV provide invaluable contributions in programme development, implementation and evaluation. The six programmes examined in this publication offer varied and interesting insights into how HIV programmes for communities of men who have sex with men have been designed and implemented in the Asia and Pacific region. Living on the Outside Health and Development Networks, 2006 This primer provides a brief overview of the discussions that took place as part of the HIV Stigma Project and sets out a definitive position with specific recommendations about how HIV stigma can be tackled. This report adds richness and vitality, for it is derived from a range of experts, commentators and people living with HIV/AIDS, and hopefully enables fresh insights into what is proving to be the most intractable feature of the HIV epidemic. The primer includes numerous supporting statements from key stakeholders and contributors. Living on the Outside is a summary and synthesis of four individual publications on HIV-related stigma.

3 Unveiling the Truth Health and Development Networks and the AIDS-Care-Watch Campaign, 2006 This publication provides an overview of presentations and discussions around HIVrelated stigma at the International AIDS Conference in It provides a unique snapshot of the current state of HIV stigma, and forms part of what must be a robust, committed and tireless fight against the most damaging phenomenon of the HIV epidemic. Off Target for 2010: How to Avoid Breaking the Promise of Universal Access International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC), May 2006 Actions by governments and multilateral institutions over the last years helped lay the foundation for gradual expansion of AIDS treatment access. Yet, there is a significant short fall of the internationally endorsed universal access goal for 2010, leaving millions without lifesaving care and hundreds of thousands of people with HIV/AIDS facing the prospect of imminent death. In the wake of this failure the international community has made new promises, developed new plans, and is experimenting with new systems of operating to help ensure that each country will stand firm in their commitment to provide access to AIDS treatment. Women and Girls Living with HIV/AIDS: Overview and Annotated Bibliography BRIDGE (development - gender), February 2007 HIV/AIDS is both driven by and entrenches gender inequality, leaving women more vulnerable than men to its impact. This report - consisting of an overview, annotated bibliography, and contacts section - considers the specific challenges faced by women and girls who are living with HIV and AIDS. Women's social, economic, and legal disadvantage is exacerbated by a positive HIV status, and vice versa. Violations of women's social, economic, and legal rights in turn obstruct their ability to seek care, treatment and support, and to realize their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).Women and girls living with HIV/AIDS are calling for recognition of their fundamental human rights, including their SRHR and the right to decide whether or not to have children; their meaningful involvement at all stages of the policy-making process; and government provision of accessible and equitable healthcare. Better Breast Feeding, Healthier Lives Info Projects, John Hopkins Bloomberg, School of Public Health, March 2006 Breastfeeding, which helps build a baby's immune system, may be the best option for HIV-infected mothers in developing countries, despite the risk of transmitting the virus that causes AIDS to their babies, according to new studies presented at the 14th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. HIV-positive mothers generally are counseled to feed their babies formula to limit the risk of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus, but that has caused problems in nations where clean water and other needs may not be met.

4 Young Children, HIV/AIDS and Gender: A Summary Review Bernard Van Leer Foundation, 2006 Attitudes towards gender that are formed in early childhood can play a significant role in creating adult behaviors that lead to the spread of HIV/AIDS. This working paper explores how to use the early years to lay the foundations for HIV/AIDS prevention. ng_children_hivaids_and_gender_a_summary_review/file Women Lead in the Fight against AIDS The Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA), 2006 This 36-page publication is the result of a workshop organized by The Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) that brought together ten women from around the world to discuss their experiences related to HIV/AIDS. It includes an analysis of the gender perspective of HIV/AIDS that came out of this event as well as a summary of stories from the participating women. According to the report, their stories help to create understanding about how the pandemic affects the lives of women and their families, and the way forward. A.pdf HIV/AIDS, Gender, and Household Food Security: The Rural Dimension Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD), 2006 While HIV/AIDS was once predominantly an urban issue, it has increasingly moved into rural areas, thus affecting those in agricultural sectors. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the majority of people affected by HIVAIDS around the world, with agricultural policies and programmes in place, it can help mitigate against the impacts of HIV/AIDS. AIDS%20Gender%20and%20Food%20Security_EN.pdf HIV/AIDS and Gender Issues Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD), July 2006 This 4-page fact sheet summarizes the role of gender in vulnerability to HIV/AIDS, discusses women s and men s vulnerabilities, highlights how to enlist men in HIV/AIDS prevention, and suggests a gender-based response to the epidemic. Guidelines for HIV Care and Treatment in Infants and Children Indian Academy of Paediatrics and National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), November 2006 These guidelines are intended to guide pediatricians prescribing antiretroviral therapy (ART) as well as teams in ART centers, on the practical issues regarding care and treatment of HIV for infants and children. The guidelines describe recommendations for practice in the national programmes, as well as guidance in dealing with special care, in view of the role of the private sector in provision of ART. The guidelines are based on WHO 2006 guidelines on ART for infant and children in

5 resource limited settings: towards universal access, recommending for a public health approach as well as a review of current literature on HIV and children. Assessment of Mobility and Reproductive Health Needs among Women Migrant Workers in Thailand Global Alliance against Traffic in Women, April 2007 This paper is based on research focusing on domestic, factory and sex work - all of which are typically underpaid, characterized by poor working conditions with little or no protection from the state. The comprehensive mapping of the occupational lives of migrant women realized through both qualitative and quantitative research frames the discussion. The analysis and findings of this research provide information and support to Thailand's national HIV/AIDS control programme for a more sensitive and responsive implementation of their outreach operations. In addition, these are also meant to inform the practice of policy makers, health care providers, and organizations working with migrant women. Opportunities for Woman-initiated HIV Prevention Methods among Female Sex Workers in Southern China Journal of Sex Research, 2007 This article reports high levels of awareness about HIV prevention methods among women sex workers in southern China. It shows that women are using a range of contraceptive practices, and different methods to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. This indicates that there will be high levels of willingness to use vaginal microbicides and female condoms when these become available. However, promoting the use of these new female-initiated prevention methods will have to take account of the specific context of sex work, and also differences in knowledge and use of prevention methods according to age and ethnicity. Reducing HIV/AIDS Stigma, Discrimination and Gender-based Violence among Health Care Providers in Andhra Pradesh, India International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), August 2006 ICRW, in collaboration with the Bhoruka Public Welfare Trust, is implementing a twoyear project in Andhra Pradesh, India aimed at reducing HIV/AIDS-related stigma and gender-based violence. This information bulletin describes the project objectives, research methodology, and key findings from the baseline survey Web Resources AIDS Research and Therapy AIDS Research and Therapy is an open access, online journal that publishes peerreviewed research articles from scientists working to prevent the spread of AIDS. AIDS Research and Therapy aims to publish basic science as well as clinically important research articles that impact on abating the spread of AIDS. This multidisciplinary journal aims to keep scientists and clinicians abreast of the latest research on HIV-1. It will publish articles on novel and developing treatment

6 strategies for AIDS, as well as on the outcomes of established treatment strategies. The ultimate goal of the journal's focus is to lead bench research to bedside practice to combat AIDS. AIDS is spreading at alarming rates in several African and Asian countries. Thus, any development that occurs in combating AIDS should be disseminated as rapidly as possible through the world. Although there are several AIDS-related journals in print, none of them are openly accessible to the world through the Internet. AIDS Research and Therapy will provide an open access journal specifically devoted to HIV-1 and AIDS research. The South and Southeast Asia Resource Centre on Sexuality This website hosts information on a comprehensive range of issues related to sexuality. It is a rich resource for activists, academics, researchers, students and policymakers working on sexuality and related issues of sexual and reproductive rights and health, HIV and AIDS, violence against women, sex work, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender issues, and other issues related to sexuality. The website also hosts an online library search engine that provides a listing for all materials in the Resource Centre library. Coordination of Action Research on AIDS & Mobility (CARAM) CARAM Asia is a regional network working on migration and health issues. It is an open network for NGOs and CBOs involved in action research, advocacy and capacity building with the aim of creating an enabling environment to empower migrants and their communities to reduce HIV vulnerability and to promote and protect the health rights of Asian migrant workers globally. Y.R.G. Care This website operated by the Y.R. Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education (YRG CARE), Chennai, India provides services like HIV education, laboratory, care and support through voluntary counseling and testing services. It also gives training, research and publications related to HIV and AIDS Forthcoming Events October 2007 Exchange and Partnership Forum on Sex Work and STI/HIV Prevention Nonthaburi, Thailand 4-5 October 2007 The objectives of this forum are to share and learn the updated situation and good interventions preventing STI/HIV in sex work settings in Thailand. Stronger partnership and networking among partners will be encouraged and expected in this forum. The language in this meeting will be in Thai with English translation. Organizers: United Nations Population Fund Thailand in collaboration with Bureau

7 Contact: of AIDS, TB, and STIs of the Ministry of Public Health Department of Disease Control Ms. Sansanee Arphasrirat, UNFPA at or tel.: Tel: Australasian Sexual Health Conference 2007 Broadbeach Island, Australia 8-10 October 2007 The theme of the conference is Venus and Mars at Jupiters. Proposed presentations include HIV/STIs/HPV, sex therapy, women's sexual health issues and sexual assault. Contact: The Conference Secretariat at or tel.: Website: Final Evaluation Workshop of OPEC Funds project on HIV/AIDS Mitigation Hue, Vietnam 12 October 2007 Organizers: UNESCO Hanoi office and Ministry of Education and Training, Vietnam Contact: Nguyen Thanh Hien at nt.hien@unesco.org.vn National Drug Trends Conference and National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre NDARC Annual Symposium New South Wales, Australia October 2007 One of the NDARC s key priorities is to ensure that research findings are disseminated as widely as possible in a timely manner. The NDARC Annual Symposium and CentreLines s newsletter are two main tools to achieve this goal. Each year NDARC s Annual Symposium provides a forum for alcohol and other drug workers to hear about a wide range of research projects currently being undertaken at the Centre. This year NDARC celebrates the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Centre. There will be three events over a three day period. Organizer: University of New South Wales Contact: Margaret Eagers at ndarc21@unsw.edu.au or tel.: +61 (2) Website: 4th Australasian Drug Strategy Conference Meeting the Future Innovative and Effective Policy and Practice Queensland, Australia November 2007 The 4th Australasian Drug Strategy Conference will bring together law enforcement and other professionals with an interest in the drug and alcohol area from around Australia and overseas. Organizer: 4th Australasian Drug Strategy Conference Operations Support Command Queensland Police Service Contact: Sarah Jarman at Jarman.SarahK@police.qld.gov.au or tel.:

8 Orientation Seminar on HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Peshawar (NWFP), Pakistan 23 October 2007 This orientation seminar will be given to college principals from Malakand and Swat regions of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) on the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the need for educating youth about prevention education. Organizer: Directorate of Curriculum and Teacher Education, Abbotabad Contact: Syed Amjad Hussain at tel.: Training Workshop for Educationists Karachi (Sindh), Pakistan October 2007 (tentative) Teacher trainers, school heads, school supervisors and district education managers from Karachi will be introduced to the facts and figures about HIV/AIDS, and offered training in methodologies for communication of prevention education messages to students in the class room. Organizer: Provincial Institute of Teacher Education (PITE), Nawabshah, Sindh Contact: Saghir Sheikh, Director (Training), PITE at tel.: Fourth Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights (4thAPCRSH) Hyderabad, India October 2007 The theme of the conference is Exploring New Frontiers in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. The conference will provide a platform for people with diverse perspectives, expertise and experience to exchange ideas, discuss and debate issues of concern, and learn from each other about sexual and reproductive health and rights. Organizer: Plan it! by Creative Travel Contact: 4 th APCRSH Secretariat at 4thapcrsh@gmail.com Website: November 2007 ART for People using Drug Workshop Phnom Penh, Cambodia 5-9 November 2007 Asian Harm Reduction Network (AHRN) in partnership with AHF will be delivering a workshop to build capacity in ART delivery, targeting drug users. Organizer: Asian Harm Reduction Network Contact: Suvicha Kalandakaphan at suvichak@ahrn.net Sustainable Health and HIV Initiatives through Networking and Empowerment Programme Bangalore, India 12 November 7 December 2007

9 Organizer: Contact: INSA India The Program Director-Training, INSA India at or tel.: ; nd International Stepping Stones Training of Trainers Nagarkot, Katmandu, Nepal November 2007 Stepping Stones is a methodology, which originally was developed to address the core issue of HIV and AIDS in Buwenda village, Uganda (Africa). But later in the course of its work module evolved addressing many more issues e.g. communication skills, relationship skills, sexuality etc. It is a participatory, adult learning programme rather than lectures. Stepping Stones believes in fission-fusion methodology, where women & men discuss separately and then learn from each other through fusion. Organiser: Centre for Youth Development and Activities, Pune, India Contact: Mathew Mattam at cyda@vsnl.com or cydaindia@yahoo.co.in or tel.: Website: World Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases Bangkok, Thailand November 2007 Organiser: World Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (WSPID) Contact: Congress Secretariat, Kenes International /WSPID 2007 at wspid@kenes.com or tel.: Website: Workshop to Develop India-specific Action Plan to Implement Strategies for Linking Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS Mumbai, India November 2007 This workshop will present opportunities and challenges to improve outcomes of SRH and HIV/AIDS in India and develop a country specific action plan for scaling up successful Indian programmes. This workshop will also recommend a roadmap for implementation of linked SRH-HIV/AIDS programmes and enable the Government of India to achieve the overall goal of universal access to SRH and HIV/AIDS services sooner. Organiser: National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health Contact: Balaiah Donta at bdonta2007@yahoo.co.in, biostatirr@hotmail.com or tel.: Sub Regional Meeting on HIV/AIDS Prevention Education and School Health Programmes Islamabad, Pakistan November 2007 Pakistan National Commission for UNESCO in collaboration with UNESCO is organizing a meeting of neighbouring countries, on the themes of HIV/AIDS Prevention Education and school health programmes. Educationists and

10 representatives of organizations working on HIV/AIDS Prevention Education and School Health programmes in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan have been invited. Objectives of the meeting include capacity building, and recommendations for a mechanism to increase regional collaboration and information sharing. Organiser: Pakistan National Commission for UNESCO (PNCU) in collaboration with UNESCO Islamabad Contact: Mr. M. H. Mujahid, Deputy Secretary General, PNCU, Islamabad at Monitoring and Evaluation of Population, Health and Nutrition Programs Bangkok, Thailand 26 November 14 December 2007 The workshop offers an intensive training that will cover the fundamental concepts and tools for monitoring and evaluating family planning, maternal health, child health, STI/HIV/AIDS and nutrition programs. The course will include modules on program design frameworks, data systems and indicators, impact evaluation designs, building performance monitoring and evaluation plans, data collection methods, utilization and feedback of M&E results, M&E of maternal health, child health, family planning, STI/HIV/AIDS and nutrition programs, and communicating M&E results to policymakers. Organiser: The Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University at Salaya Contact: Director, Institute for Population and Social Research at prukn@mahidol.ac.th or tel.: ; ext. 212 Website: Established in 2003, the UNESCO HIV and AIDS Clearinghouse (Bangkok component) has received financial support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and UNAIDS UWB funds. For a complete list of publications available in our database, please visit: For a full list of forthcoming events, please visit our online Calendar at We would like to invite you to share your knowledge, project experience and resources worldwide through our website. Please add your contributions in the relevant databases or them to us at hivaidsclearinghouse@unescobkk.org or nt.loan@unescobkkk.org HIV and AIDS Clearinghouse UNESCO Bangkok