PRESENTATIONS AT INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCES

Durban International AIDS Conference, July 2000

Infrastructure for Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS in Bangalore, Karnataka, India:  Practical Implications for Policy and Advocacy.

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Barcelona International AIDS Conference, July 2002  

Feeding Infants when Mothers are HIV Positive in African Settings:  How can Communities be Mobilized to Support a Mother's Decision?

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Representation at the Community Forum, Barcelona, July 2002

Words of Welcome from the Community Forum:

In keeping with the sentiments of the Barcelona Framework, "Knowledge and Commitment for Action", the hosts of the 2002 Community Forum want to stimulate and encourage community participants from around the globe to share experiences, successes, and challenges in order to share lessons learned, build capacities, and move forward with a reinvigorated passion for action.

Vital objectives related to HIV/AIDS will only be truly reached through collective action. The Punto de Encuentro will provide an opportunity to share and link different knowledge and strategies, thus fostering stronger and more effective actions! 

The Foundation's Contribution

The Foundation was selected as a participant in the Community Forum to share ideas on HIV/AIDS prevention strategies with other NGO representatives. The Community Forum allocated space and time for 1500 international delegates to meet, share, and continue the process of building a durable global commitment to the fight against AIDS.

During the Forum, the Foundation focused on the prevention of HIV transmission via breast milk in Africa, emphasizing the following themes and actions:

• A discussion of social determinants of infant feeding
• Gender dimensions of HIV/AIDS and how they affect women's vulnerability to HIV and choices of infant feeding
• Strategies to mobilize communities and reduce stigma on women who choose replacement feedings and therefore do not breastfeed, involve male partners and other influential relatives as they often have a preponderant say in infant feeding.
• Brainstorming on the content of health messages on the prevention of HIV transmission via breast milk in order not undermine breastfeeding for the non-HIV infected mothers and incite women and communities to get tested and counselled for HIV
• Incite the participants to become catalysts for action back home and integrate infant feeding in their AIDS prevention programs and activities
• Share with the participants relevant tools and strategies to implement their plans of action

UNAIDS ELECTRONIC FORUM ON THE PREVENTION OF MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV

The PMTCT e-Workspace is a platform where members of the Technical Network on Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission share information, questions and lessons with regard to their work. You are welcome to visit the web-interface of this e-Workspace at: http://ews.unaids.org

View the Foundation's contributions to the Forum on the subject of HIV and infant feeding.

If you are interested in joining the forum, please contact:

Marlou de Row,

UNAIDS Forum Moderator

Email: derouwm@unaids.org

PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION AS AN HIV/AIDS PREVENTION STRATEGY

The Vineeta Rastogi Foundation is a firm believer in community mobilization to achieve long-lasting change and results.  The Foundation promotes and distributes the Stepping Stones manual, a 12-week community workshop, to NGOs, international organizations, and bilateral agencies worldwide.

View a summary of the program.

For more information on the Stepping Stones program, please contact:

Linnea Renton

HIV/AIDS Best Practice Advisor

ActionAid

Email: LRenton@actionaid.org.uk

HIV/AIDS PREVENTION IN SOUTH AMERICA

Presentation at the South American Explorers Club, Lima, Peru, October 2003

You've heard about deadly diseases in South America. And you've heard lots about the HIV/AIDS in the world. But how is South America affected by this global epidemic? Radia Daoussi has been conducting HIV prevention around the world and now here in Lima. She will be joining us to explain that, while not yet a stranglehold like in Africa, HIV/AIDS has quietly gained a foothold on this continent. After 20 years, researchers have made progress in understanding the epidemic even though there's still no cure or vaccine. However, deeper determinants, beyond behavioral explanations, are often overlooked. The crucial question for NGOs, governments and the international community is: Will we use this opportunity to prevent South America turning out like South Africa. Download presentation.

The Foundation is helping groups of HIV positive women strengthen their capabilities as groups and is providing assistance to develop income generating activities.  The Foundation has supported UNICEF Peru develop a proposal to prevent vertical transmission of HIV from the mother to her baby.

HIV/AIDS PREVENTION IN INDIA

TARGETED INTERVENTIONS FOR MIGRANT LABORERS IN COORG DISTRICT, KARNATAKA, SOUTH INDIA