IRIN HIV/AIDS Weekly - 266
Africa
13 January 2006


NEWS:

SOUTH AFRICA: Khomanani adds a new twist to love on Valentine's Day
TANZANIA: Roman Catholic bishops oppose teaching of condom use

CONFERENCES/ EVENTS/ RESOURCES

1. Regional Conference on Youth, Children and HIV/AIDS
2. Microbicides 2006
3. International AIDS Conference 2006

JOBS

1. HIV/AIDS Prevention Senior Officer - IFRC
2. Country Director, ROADS Project (Burundi) - FHI



NEWS

SOUTH AFRICA: Khomanani adds a new twist to love on Valentine's Day

If the government's latest anti-AIDS campaign is anything to go by, 
Valentine's Day next month could mean more than just chocolates and red 
roses for some South African couples.

By distributing free romantic cards with the message, "It's time to take 
our relationship to the next level", Khomanani, the government's 
HIV/AIDS communications programme, aims to encourage more couples to be 
tested together for HIV.

Although the prospect of discovering one's status usually raises 
feelings of apprehension and even fear, experts have noted that the 
long-term benefits are vital to maintaining good health and productive 
lifestyles.

More details:
http://www.plusnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=5599


TANZANIA: Roman Catholic bishops oppose teaching of condom use

Roman Catholic bishops in Tanzania have condemned as "unacceptable" a 
new science syllabus for primary schools that incorporates the teaching 
of proper condom use.

"Introduction of the [teaching of] use of condoms in schools, apart from 
being sinful, is indeed justification and opening the door for immoral 
lifestyles," Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, the archbishop of Dar es Salaam, 
said on Monday in a statement issued on behalf of Tanzania's Episcopal 
Conference.

"Teaching children, some as young as 12 years old, the use of condoms is 
disastrous," he added.

More details:
http://www.plusnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=5577



CONFERENCES/ EVENTS/ RESOURCES

1. A regional conference on youth, children and HIV/AIDS will be held at 
the Sun and Sand Holiday Resort, in Mangochi, Malawi from 18 to 22 July 
2006. The conference theme is 'Young People's Development and the 
Millennium Development Goals on HIV/AIDS in East and Southern Africa: 
Sharing Lessons and Experiences'. The conference will assess the 
development initiatives in various institutions on the Millennium 
Development Goals on HIV/AIDS and Young People and assess the role of 
the civil society organisations.


Conference sub themes include:

- Leadership and governance in civil society organisations
- Fundraising for sustainable youth development
- Child rights, sexuality and HIV/AIDS, including successful strategies
- Advocacy, networking and collaboration for HIV/AIDS prevention
- Entrepreneurship and vocational skills development for responding to
   HIV/AIDS


The conference organising committee is now calling for papers for 
presentation during the conference. The presentation could be either for 
the plenary presentation, posters or workshops.

Abstracts should be sent to esanya2006@yahoo.co.uk by 20 April 2006. For 
more information:

Executive Director,
Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO),
Kazembe Location, Near Likangala Secondary School,
P.O. Box 471, Zomba, Malawi.
Tel: 265 1 525 674;
Fax: 265 1 525 560;

Emails: Mr Mac Bain Mkandawire - mhjmkandawire@sdnp.org.mw or 
macbainmkandawire@yoneco.org.mw; Mr Felix Limbani - 
felixlimbani@yoneco.org.mw; Ms. Lillian Chigona - pmyoneco@sdnp.org.mw; 
Mr. James Kalimbuka - chekalimbuka@yahoo.co.uk


2. The biannual international Microbicides conference will be held in 
Cape Town, South Africa from 23 to 26 April 2006.

By hosting the conference in South Africa, the organisers aim to raise 
public awareness of microbicides as a promising HIV prevention 
technology, as well as highlighting the enormity of the HIV/AIDS 
epidemic, especially in developing countries and in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The conference intends to provide updates on recent microbicide 
research, with a forum for the discussion of new developments in 
microbicide research, and present opportunities for knowledge sharing 
between microbicide researchers, public health workers, advocates, 
communities and civil society organisations.

The gathering promises to be bigger and better than ever before. The 
Microbicides 2004 conference attracted 800 delegates from around the 
globe. Increased interest and research effort in this area means that 
the 2006 Conference is likely to be even bigger, attracting around 1,000 
delegates.

The deadline for Microbicides 2006 scholarship applications has been 
extended until January 15. Details on how to submit an application are 
available at http://www.microbicides2006.org/scholarship.htm


3. The International AIDS Conference is one of the most important 
gatherings for the release and discussion of key developments in the 
fight against HIV/AIDS. The previous International AIDS Conference (AIDS 
2004) in Bangkok attracted over 20,000 participants from all over the 
world.

Click here for more information about the XVI International AIDS 
Conference (AIDS 2006) to be held in Toronto, Canada from 13 to 18 
August 2006: http://www.aids2006.org

Registration, abstract submissions and scholarship applications 
deadlines are quickly approaching. The deadline for applications for all 
the above is 22 February 2006.

Call for abstracts: Click here to submit an abstract online: 
http://www.aids2006.org/abstracts

Less experienced abstract authors may request the assistance of more 
experienced authors. Click here for more information: 
http://www.aids2006.org/mentoring

Reduced registration fees

For the first time, registration fees have been lowered by US $250 for 
delegates from low- and middle-income countries. All delegates can 
register by 22 February 2006 to take advantage of the lowest possible 
fees (US $550 for non-OECD countries and US$ 750 for OECD countries). 
After 22 February 2006, late surcharges apply. Click here to register: 
http://www.aids2006.org/registration


Apply for a scholarship

Applications are being accepted for the two conference scholarship 
programmes, the International Scholarship Programme for people from all 
over the world and the Scholarship Programme for Canadian Residents. 
Click here to apply for a scholarship: 
http://www.aids2006.org/scholarships


JOBS

1. HIV/AIDS Prevention Senior Officer - IFRC

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) 
Societies are looking for a candidate to update and revitalise the 
Federation's HIV prevention work through the development of guidelines 
and tools, and expert support to the secretariat and national societies.


RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide strategic vision for and motivate the Federation's HIV 
prevention work; through a participatory process develop and support 
implementation of HIV prevention guidelines for the secretariat and 
scale-up of national society of programmes, and update existing tools to 
ensure the Federation implements evidence-based programmes; undertake 
analysis of the gender aspects of HIV/AIDS prevention and include 
specific strategies to address women's needs in the guidelines, and 
support implementation of these strategies; ensure that the Federation's 
HIV prevention programmes are targeted effectively and involve key 
populations vulnerable to HIV transmission, and are implemented at a 
scale that will result in lower rates of new infections.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information and full 
job description contact the hiring officer, Bernard Gardiner, at 
bernard.gardiner@ifrc.org

Closing date for applications: 31 January 2006.


2. Country Director, ROADS Project (Burundi) - FHI

Family Health International (FHI) provides a highly diversified 
programme of research, education and services in HIV/AIDS prevention, 
care and treatment, reproductive health and infectious diseases. The 
organisation is seeking qualified candidates to direct the 
implementation of the FHI Institute of HIV/AIDS programmes in Burundi.


RESPONSIBILITIES:

Serve as the FHI representative with relevant private and public 
agencies, organisations, National AIDS Control Programme, USAID, and 
other donors regarding Burundi programmes and activities; manage the 
development of country workplans/proposals and budgets, including 
periodic review and revision; manage the design of subproject activities 
with implementing partners; identify and develop resource development 
opportunities for FHI in Burundi; perform other duties as assigned by 
the Director, ROADS Project.


REQUIREMENTS:

MS/MA in public health or related field with 7 to 9 years' experience in 
international development programmes, or PhD/MD with 5 to 7 years' 
experience in international development programmes.  Requires 3 to 5 
years of supervisory experience. Overseas field experience required. 
Fluency in oral and written French/English required.

FHI has a competitive compensation package. Interested candidates please 
submit cover letter and resume including salary requirements online at 
www.fhi.org or e-mail to: humanresources@fhi.org. Please specify source 
in your application and quote code: AA/EOE/M/F/V/D


IRIN-SA
Tel: +27 11 895-1900
Fax: +27 11 784-6759
Email: IRIN-SA@irin.org.za


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