IRIN HIV/AIDS Weekly - 85
Africa
28 June 2002


NEWS:

ZAMBIA: Sleepy town waking to HIV
AFRICA: 28 million Africans now living with HIV/AIDS - UNAIDS
AFRICA: NEPAD criticised for not focusing on HIV/AIDS
SOUTH AFRICA: Drug use flourishing

LINKS:

1. AIDS.eDumela.com
2. I Thought About You project
3. Centre for HIV/AIDS Networking

CONFERENCES/EVENTS/RESEARCH:

1. ICASO Satellite Session
2. Botswana government Satellite symposium
3. HIV/AIDS Nurses workshop
4. HIV Communication questionnaire

JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

1. Deputy Director, South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative
2. Editor-in-chief, Trendsetters - Lusaka Zambia
3. Deputy Director, FHI - Lagos Nigeria

ZAMBIA: Sleepy town waking to HIV

Kapiri Mposhi is normally a sleepy little town of crumbling buildings and
ox carts in central Zambia. But once a week, on Thursday evenings, it
comes to life.

That's when the TAZARA (Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority) passenger train
pulls in to disgorge its weekly assortment of tourists, travelling
salesmen and drifters from the Tanzanian capital, Dar-es-Salaam. The long
distance truck drivers arrive on its heels, along with the inevitable mob
of out-of-towners that hit the town towards the end of each week.

As darkness descends, the central business district assumes a boisterous
air. Malila Bar and Restaurant for example, a nondescript diner by day
turns into a garish dancehall at night. As the evening progresses, many of
the skimpily dressed women grinding to the beat of the sound system, will
slip out into the darkness for intimate, if casual, encounters with at
least one partner each.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=28562

AFRICA: NEPAD criticised for not focusing on HIV/AIDS

Stephen Lewis, the UN special envoy for HIV/AIDS, last week criticised the
New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) for its modest references
to HIV/AIDS.

Speaking at the opening of the People's Summit, an alternative to the G-8
Summit taking place this week, he said: "How can you talk about the future
of sub-Saharan Africa without AIDS at the heart of the analysis?"

Africa's development goals would remain an "impossible hope" until the
HIV/AIDS pandemic was addressed, despite initiatives such as NEPAD, he
warned.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=1351

AFRICA: 28 million Africans now living with HIV/AIDS - UNAIDS

More than 28 million Africans are now living with HIV/AIDS and in some
countries over 30 percent of the adult population is infected, a UNAIDS
statement warned on Tuesday.

"The devastating impact of HIV/AIDS is rolling back decades of development
progress in Africa," said Peter Piot, UNAIDS executive director.

Meanwhile, according to a new UN study, prevention campaigns have
successfully raised awareness of HIV/AIDS in developing countries, but
have not had a major impact on behaviour. People still refuse to accept
that they are at risk of catching the HI virus.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=1353

SOUTH AFRICA: Drug use flourishing

South Africa celebrated the International Day Against Drug Abuse on
Wednesday with the launch of a pilot drug awareness campaign aimed at
helping people overcome the pressure to take drugs.

The "Ke Moja" or "No Thanks, I'm fine" campaign aims to provide people
with the knowledge to make the right decision, UN Office for Drug Control
and Crime Prevention (UNODCCP) Southern Africa Representative, Rob Boone,
said at the launch of the initiative in the South African capital,
Pretoria.

More details:
http://www.irinnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=1354


LINKS:

1. AIDS.Edumela is a new website aimed at providing information on the
HIV/AIDS situation in Botswana and other parts of Southern Africa. Their
page "About Condoms" contains user contributions about the use of condoms
and other issues related to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Botswana.
http://www.AIDS.edumela.com

2. I Thought About You is a public project being launched at the 14th
International AIDS Conference in Barcelona. The project gathers people's
memories of loved ones lost to AIDS and documents the memories and the
locations where they occurred to reveal the stories and emotions which
exist throughout the streets and public areas of Barcelona.

People are encouraged to share memories connected to Barcelona or any
location worldwide via the project website. Memories connected to
Barcelona will be included in a map and series of plaques placed
throughout the city, while memories connected to other cities and
locations will be displayed in an exhibition at the Conference.
http://www.ithoughtaboutyou.com

3. The Centre for HIV/AIDS Networking (HIVAN) has launched their website:
HIVAN aims to showcase the positive, creative and proactive approaches in
the fight against HIV/AIDS. They have currently focused largely on
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, but have drawn in from national sources, the
rest of Africa and abroad. They've also tried to highlight partnerships,
especially those which are multisectoral and multidisciplinary.

The site also contain a comprehensive database of HIV/AIDS-related
organisations and individuals and regularly updated listings of
international funding opportunities. http://www.hivan.org.za


CONFERENCES/RESEARCH:

1. Accessing HIV Care and Treatment: Success Stories from Communities
Around the World - ICASO

The International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO) will be
hosting a satellite session to take place during the 14 International AIDS
Conference in Barcelona. The session will be held on 9 July 2002 at the
Hotel Fira - Verdi Room from 6pm - 9pm.

The satellite session will be held in English, with simultaneous
translation into Spanish.

It features the launch of Adding Infrastructure to the Advocacy Agenda,
the final report from an international community-based research project
that ICASO undertook in 2001-2002.

This project explored ways in which infrastructure may block or facilitate
access to HIV care, treatment and support. A broad definition of
infrastructure is presented which is inclusive of the people, commodities,
systems, policy and law required to get HIV care, treatment and support to
the people who need it.

Examples from the experiences of people with HIV/AIDS from 14 countries
are presented to illustrate opportunities for advocacy by bringing
"infrastructure" into the access to care debate.

The session will consider, among other topics:

- How will this broader definition of infrastructure, proposed in the
report, expand access to ARVs for PWAs in developing countries?
- What are the practicalities of incorporating this new definition of
infrastructure into the policies developed by governments, UN-system,
CBOs?
- How does one prioritise a requirement for infrastructure and an urgent
need to deliver medicines?
- What implications does this research have on the major actors involved
in the access-to-treatment challenge?  i.e. the pharmaceutical industry,
developing country governments, multilateral procurement and distribution
systems, etc.
- How can CBOs/ASOs operationalise this new definition of infrastructure?

For more information, contact Mary Ann Torres at: martorre13@yahoo.com

2. The Government of Botswana will be hosting a satellite symposium on
Sunday 7 July 2002, starting at 8am and finishing at 10am. The symposium
will be held at Session hall 2:3, Palacio 2, Level 1 at the Fira de
Barcelona Conference Centre.

Botswana's Minister of Health, Joy Phumaphi, Dr Banu Khan, coordinator of
the National AIDS Coordinating Agency (NACA), and Dr Donald de Korte,
project leader for the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnership (ACHAP)
will introduce the programme.

Presentations will be given on the following topics:

- Botswana's Comprehensive Response to HIV/AIDS and Public/Private
Partnerships
- Botswana's National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan 2003 - 2008
- Youth Friendly Services
- Total community mobilisation
- Voluntary Counselling and Testing
- Treatment of HIV/AIDS
- PLWHA coping strategies
- Home based care and orphan care

3. An HIV/AIDS workshop will be held at the University of Natal, Durban,
from 16-18 July

The need for this workshop evolved from a "Think Tank" held earlier this
year in Durban. The workshop is for all nurses - whether they be
practitioners, educators or managers. The focus of the workshop will be on
HIV immunology, clinical manifestations and antiretroviral therapies and
care for the caregiver. The workshop will be facilitated by Professor
Donna Gallagher from the University of Massachusetts and Sheila Davis, an
adult nurse practitioner in the Partners Aids Research. Workshop
attendance will be restricted. Please direct enquiries to
maharajs35@nu.ac.za Cost: R200,00. Delegates will be responsible for their
own accommodation and travel arrangements.

4. Panos is conducting an online questionnaire in order to gauge needs and
priorities in relation to HIV/AIDS communication programming around the
globe. The results and findings will be featured in the forthcoming Panos
Report and in other media materials on this issue that are produced with
their media partners Interworld Radio and Gemini and/or Panos Features.

Please go to http://www.panos.org.uk/hivsurvey/

If you have difficulty accessing the questionnaire online, contact
aids@panoslondon.org.uk for a Word version.


JOB OPPORTUNITIES:

1. Deputy Director, South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Cape Town

The South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative (SAAVI), which is a key
strategic project of the Medical Research Council, Department of Health,
ESKOM and other stakeholders, is tasked with developing an affordable,
effective and locally relevant HIV vaccine for Southern Africa. SAAVI
comprises of a tightly coordinated group of approximately 150 scientists/
clinicians/immunologist/ethicists/layers/community
educators/manufacturers/funders, etc.

SAAVI is a multimillion dollar R & D initiative which has experienced
significant growth, and requires the services of a highly motivated
individual to join the SAAVI directorate to assist with the management and
direction of the initiative. The incumbent will report to the SAAVI
director and will work closely with the director in maintaining, expanding
and directing the initiative.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Responsibility for managing much of the current SAAVI
scientific/clinical/other business
- Coordinating medium to long-term strategic components, such as potential
downstream manufacturing of a final vaccine
coordinating SAAVI fund allocations, SAAVI conferences
- Planning and coordinating of large clinical trials assisting the
management of patents and contracts.
- Political lobbying, national and regional policy development.
- Maintaining and strengthening corporate contacts.
- Negotiating with a wide spectrum of research, government.

REQUIREMENTS:

- Must be active in the research and/or management of HIV/AIDS
- Experience in the area of HIV vaccines for other vaccines
- Able to travel extensively when required
- Self-motivated and able to work under significant pressure of deadlines
- Registered medical specialist in a relevant specialty or has a PhD with
practical laboratory experience in HIV vaccine virology and/or immunology.

A competitive remuneration package and a pleasant working environment are
offered. The MRC subscribes to the principles of Employment Equity and the
embracing of diversity.

Closing date: 12 July 2002.

Please submit a detailed CV to:
Elsie Venter or Glenda Schroeder
Human Resources Directorate, MRC
PO Box 19070, Tygerberg 7505
Fax +27 21 938-0829.
E-mail can be sent to: glenda.schroeder@mrc.ac.za

2. Editor-in-chief, Trendsetters, Lusaka Zambia

Youth Media is a youth-based NGO based in Lusaka Zambia, specialising in
information dissemination to young people in the
country through the use of mass media.

One of Youth Media's most successful projects to date is the sexual
reproductive health newspaper for young people, Trendsetters. The
newspaper is looking for a young person to fill the position of
Editor-in-chief. Trendsetters uses an educational approach to disseminate
information pertinent to young people's lives, ensuring they make informed
decisions concerning their lives.

REQUIREMENTS:

- Youth Media is looking for a young person between the ages of 20-25 who
has both good communication and creative writing skills as well as proven
management and/or leadership qualities.
- Must be computer literate, fluent in written and spoken English and must
have at least a Grade 12/Form 5 certificate.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Managing editorial staff
- Overseeing day to day running of newspaper
- Responsible for ensuring quality of articles, assigning articles and
editing articles for clarity and content.
- He/she will be responsible for ensuring the newspaper has content that
is not only applicable to young people's lives, but also that which will
increase the sales of the newspaper.

If you are interested in applying for the position, please submit the
following:

An outline of your vision for Trendsetters
Article on any Sexual reproductive health issue (not more than 1000 words)
Article on any other issue of your choice (not more than 1000 words)
CV with three traceable references
Cover letter saying why you think you are the best person for the job and
if you got the job how you would improve Trendsetters.

Deadline: 30 June 2002

Please send your application to:
Editor-in-Chief position
PO Box 347230, Lusaka, Zambia
Tel/fax: +260-1-220493
Email: trends@zamnet.zm

2. Deputy Director, Family Health International - Lagos, Nigeria

Family Health International, a non-profit organisation, seeks a Deputy
Director to provide technical and programmatic support to STI/HIV/AIDS
country programmes and staff in Nigeria.

REQUIREMENTS:

- Master's degree in Public Health or related field.
- Minimum of five years experience in HIV/AIDS programming.
- Broad range of experience in HIV/AIDS, programme management, working on
technical teams and in health services delivery programmes, preferably in
Africa, a must.
- Competitive salary and expatriate package

Please send CV to FHI/Human Resources (GW062002)
2101 Wilson Blvd, Suite 700, Arlington VA 22201
Email: humanresources@fhi.org
Fax: +1 703 516 9036

[ENDS]

IRIN-SA
Tel: +27 11 880-4633
Fax: +27 11 447-5472
Email: IRIN-SA@irin.org.za

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