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Over 120 research papers were presented earlier this week at the 2nd African Conference on Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS Research. An initiative of the Social Aspects of AIDS Research Alliance (SAHARA), part of South Africa's Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), the conference brought together social researchers, academics, government representatives, NGOs and international donors, who presented and discussed research.

SAHARA's explicit aim is to generate new social science evidence for the prevention, care and impact mitigation of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on individuals, families and communities, in the social development framework that takes into account the cultural environment within which the human and social behaviour and relevant programmes occur.

Research papers spanned a number of themes: policies of access to care, human rights related to HIV/AIDS, drug- and trade-related issues, treatment and care, prevention, stigma in relation to care, nutrition and food security, social and economic issues around HIV/AIDS, epidemilogy and HIV surveillance, cultural and communal mobilisation, the financing of AIDS, gender and HIV, and orphans and vulnerable children.

All papers presented at the conference can be accessed through the HSRC and SAHARA websites, or directly at: www.hsrc.ac.za

A training workshop scheduled for October 11 to 22, in Gaborone, Botswana, plans to examine a unique aspect of the fight against HIV and AIDS: the politics of funding efforts to control the pandemic.

The technical training workshop, designed to examine the dynamics shaping the region's approach to fighting AIDS, is open to health and social justice journalists based in the 14-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC). The NSJ Media Training Trust, an independent media training institute, is conducting the intensive workshop.

Application deadline: September 1

The training will help journalists understand, critically analyse and professionally report on the regional rollout of anti-retroviral drugs and other treatment campaigns. Participants will examine aspects of their watchdog and educational roles by studying new health policies and programmes, while also interacting with health professionals, government agencies, politicians, and others.

For more information, contact Donna Mpengula, NSJ training coordinator, at
telephone (+258-1) 493-400, or fax (+258-1) 490-880,
or visit the NSJ website: www.nsjtraining.org

The Working Group on Girls NGO Committee of UNICEF has produced a brochure "Empowering Girls to Beat HIV/AIDS", which is now available on www.girlsrights.org

OR get there by going to the Working Group on Girls website: www.girlsrights.org - by clicking on "What's New" at the top of the page, then click on "Brochure".

The Centre for HIV/AIDS Networking (HIVAN) and The World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP) will host a Capacity Building Workshop addressing the ongoing and rapid developments in the field of HIV/AIDS themed "The A to Z of ARVs". Speakers include: Dr. Janet Giddy, McCord Hospital; Dr. Krista Dong, St. Mary's Hospital and Dr. Daya Moodley, Provincial Manager, PMTCT. The workshop takes place on 18 May 2004 at the Durban Jewish Club, 44 Old Fort Road, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, from 09h00 to 15h00.

Contact
Fathima Abdulla
Tel: 031 2604653
Fax: 031 260 4623
Email: or Saydoon Sayed
Tel: 031 3327216
Fax: 031-3327216
E-mail:

This forum aims to enhance networking, collaboration and information dissemination among the various stakeholders involved in HIV/AIDS activities. Mr Sibu Khanyile, the Provincial Coordinator of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) will be focusing on the ARV rollout in his presentation. On 20 May 2004, from 10h00 to 12h00 at the Verulam Child and Family Welfare Society, 5 Church Street, Verulam.

Contact
Fathima Abdulla/Thanusha Naidu -
Tel: 031 2604653
Email: