JOHANNESBURG, International Service is pleased to announce that the 2008 call for nominations is now open. With award categories geared towards acknowledging those who have stood for the human rights of women, children and those living with HIV, the competition hopes to recognise some of the world’s unsung leaders in human rights.

JOHANNESBURG, The HIV/AIDS Implementers' Meeting will take place June 3-7 2008, in Kampala, Uganda. This year's theme is "Scaling Up Through Partnerships: Overcoming Obstacles to Implementation.” Implementers will exchange lessons learned during the implementation of AIDS programmes, with a focus on building the capacity of local prevention, treatment, and care programmes; maintaining quality control; and coordination among partners. For more information, go to http://www.hivimplementers.com/

JOHANNESBURG, This workshop is aimed at strengthening the medical and legal responses to sexual violence through multi-disciplinary collaboration among organisations and partners in eastern, central and southern Africa. Participants will include researchers and policy makers with mandates to respond to the medical and legal aspects of sexual violence and HIV/AIDS.

JOHANNESBURG, This 9-20 June training is an intensive, hands-on course that will prepare teams of providers and trainers to implement MC programs. Specific skills include circumcision techniques, postoperative care and facilitating group education sessions on MC.

JOHANNESBURG, The 2008 high-level meeting on AIDS will take place at the United Nations headquarters on 10 - 11 June. It will review progress made in implementing the 2001 Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the 2006 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS.

JOHANNESBURG, HIV/AIDS and TB strategies will feature in various tracks of the 2 – 4 June conference. Prominence will also be given to discussions about the public health benefits of improving access to the basic determinants of health such as water, sanitation and food. For more information, go to http://phasa2008.mrc.ac.za

JOHANNESBURG, One of the major challenges in South Africa is a weak patient support system in the face of lengthy TB treatment. The 1 – 4 July conference seeks to develop community responses to strengthen these support systems and lead to more efficient treatment. For more information, go to http://www.tbconference.co.za.

JOHANNESBURG, The fund is accepting applications for Round 8 funding. Applicants are encouraged to read the several fact sheets prepared by the secretariat. Submissions will be due 1 July by 12 pm Geneva time.

JOHANNESBURG, With a focus on combating stigma, the conference is expected to bring together more than 1,000 regional participants drawn from peer education groups and those wishing to start peer education programs. Delegates will be given an opportunity to share lessons learned and best practices from their different programmes.

KAMPALA, The 18 to 20 June conference will cover topics such as STIs and HIV/AIDS, and gender-based violence among populations affected by conflict and natural disasters.