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Actors, writers and producers of TV drama series broadcast around the world will be joined by international business, media and public health leaders in New York on the 18th November 2003, to set the course for one of the most innovative and potentially powerful HIV/AIDS initiatives. Organised by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and Population Communications International, the Entertainment/AIDS Summit will examine the use of entertainment programmes to effect critical behavioural changes among populations at greatest risk of HIV/AIDS and create new partnerships for using entertainment in the struggle against the AIDS pandemic.

The event's keynote speech will be delivered by United Nations Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS in Africa, Stephen Lewis. President of the Global Business Coalition for HIV/AIDS, Richard Holbrooke, will examine the role of the international business community in the fight against HIV/AIDS in a luncheon address. A panel of writers, producers and performers from Afghanistan, China, India, Kenya and South Africa will also screen excerpts from dramatic series in their countries, and share the stories of how these entertainment programmes have impacted their communities' attitudes to HIV/AIDS and helped to curtail high-risk behaviour.

The gathering will be held on the Columbia University campus and is being presented by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and Population Communications International.

For more information contact:
Laura Tomasetti Tel: +1 617-367-6655
Email: or Population Communications International www.population.org

The YouthNet Programme, coordinated by Family Health International, has released two new YouthLens research briefs. The first brief - Abstinence and Delayed Sexual Initiation - is now available. According to the report, promoting abstinence is an important strategy that can help delay sexual activity, but complementary messages are needed for those who are sexually active. This research brief is available at:
www.fhi.org

The second brief on information and communications technology and HIV/AIDS has also been published. It deals with how technology resources such as email, CD-ROMs, listservs, the internet, radio, and television can be applied to youth health issues.
www.fhi.org

The global White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood (WRA) and Zambia White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood are hosting a workshop focusing on building the skills of the WRA members and National Secretariats. The workshop will be held in Lusaka, Zambia, on 10 to 14 November 2003. During the workshop, a series of technical updates focusing on current and emerging safe motherhood issues will be held for the workshop participants.

To register or for more information about the workshop contact:
Courtland Sikazwe
Workshop Coordinator, Zambia WRA
Tel: +260 1 251026
Fax: +260 1 251026
Email:
www.whiteribbonalliance.org

The draft version of the 2003 revision of World Health Organisation (WHO) treatment guidelines "Scaling up ARV for resource-limited settings:
Treatment Guidelines for a Public Health Approach" has now been posted for public comment on the WHO HIV website. Comments on the publication are welcomed - before the 14 November 2003 deadline - and can be sent to:

www.who.int

The 'Advances Through HIV/AIDS' 2002-2003 series includes papers on a range of emerging issues, such as Breastfeeding and HIV Transmission, Microfinance and HIV/AIDS, Home Self-Testing for HIV, and Human Capacity Development for HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Support. The goal of the series is to disseminate key research findings and expert analyses to practitioners and policy makers working in the field.
www.synergyaids.com