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 NOT MY FAULT - Posted By: Oluwatosin
How time flies, it’s been three years now since I left college. If time really heals hurts, I can’t tell, but sure, I don’t feel as sad as I was thirteen years ago. Coming out of the medical school with one of the best results in my set after almost a decade of a very challenging academic sojourn meant so much to me and it was really a great consolation for me.
Though it would have meant much more to me if my parents had attended my valedictory ceremony but of course they couldn’t have. Growing up without our mother wasn’t so difficult for my sister and I aside the mother-daughter relationship we missed, dad was everything to us. We didn’t know her too well, she died when I was five, I still remember he gentle smiles and that thin voice, but at times she looked as frail. Mum was a sicklier a sickle cell anaemia patient.
Dada met mum during a seminar he attended in one of the neighbouring countries to us where mum hailed form. It was at a time she was already contemplating of coming to Nigeria. Aside being the only child, her mother was against her decision to relocating considering her health problem. My parents never had it smooth getting married; dad’s parents were against it, not for any other reason but the fact that mum was a sicklier. This act of his made him become more or less an outcast in his family
That rejection was unfair. Yes, mum was very sickly, her being a sicklier was not her choice anyway. I knew what genotype meant quiet early. Mum was ‘SS’, Dad ‘AA’, so my sister and I are carriers; we are of ‘AS’ genotype.
I took interest in medicine at a tender age. Today, I am a medical doctor and if I have any regret is that Dad is not here to see her daughter’s dream fulfilled. Dad died fourteen years ago. It was the most devastating period of my life. I just gained admission into the University, while my sister was also preparing to go in for music in one of the polytechnics we have in Nigeria, she had always wanted to be an expert in music. She is gifted with a sonorous voice like mum’s.
Dad died of cancer. It came so unannounced. His death came like a flash of lighting, he was a very hardworking gentleman, an engineer by profession, he was in fact a workaholic, so healthy and I cannot remember him ever falling ill all those years. I thought life was so unfair and I was torn apart.
I wasn’t surprised I repeated my first year and my aunt (dad’s only sibling who we were putting up with then) thought I wouldn’t be able to cope studying medicine if I started that bad. But when the heart is depressed at that point in time it would take an extra- ordinary effort and perhaps a divine intervention to succeed and that was what I went for.
I repeated again in my third year, but I still kept on because my mind was made up to become a doctor. During my years in school, I had a glimpse into what could have been responsible for my father sudden death. And it should be a lesson to everyone reading this story. I wonder how many people check their blood pressure regularly from the age of twenty-five in this part of our world which could prevent a disease like if diagnosed early. Dad was never sickly nor was at anytime on admission in the hospital except for just that one that led to his death. My father lived with cancer for several years!
My sister is happily married with a child now and I will soon tie the nuptial knot with a gentleman of the same genotype with me – AS, which ideally means we might have an SS child, but that can not be a barrier to us, medical science has risen to that challenge.
But really should genotype issues deprive one of spending the rest of one’s life with someone one loves and would be happy with if there wasn’t a way round it? Well may be for the sake of the child who might live his or her days in agony.
I believe whatever the negative life has handed one, there are surely few positive ones, celebrate those few like I did, after all without a positive and negative terminal current wouldn’t flow.
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  Journée Mondiale 2006 du SIDA - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
Chers amis
Le monde se prépare encore à une grande mobilisation sur la question du VIH/SIDA. En effet, le 1er décembre prochain sera célébrée partout dans le monde, la journée mondiale du VIH/SIDA. Le thème de cette année 'Tenons nos promesses' 'Arrêtons le SIDA' devrait nous interpeller tous surtout les principaux acteurs.
Voilà des années que cette lutte se mène et plusieurs acteurs ont fait des promesses et pris des engagements pour aider à faire face à la pandémie. L'heure a sonné de faire le bilan pour envisager l'avenir avec rigueur, tenacité et surtout de nouvelles résolutions. La jeunesse doit veiller à prendre une part active pour attirer l'attention des divers acteurs sur l'ampleur du SIDA, ses conséquences et la nécessité de respecter les engagements pris vis à vis des malades, des séropositifs et de ceux qui sont encore sains.
Tenons nos promesses!!!
François
| November 29, 2006 | 05:22:07 |
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 REALLY PROUD OF THE GOOD JOB YOU GUYS DID AT THE CONFERENCE - Posted By: KOPANO KLEN MOFONGA
HELLO THERE GOOD PEOPLE,ITS GLAD TO HAVE ALL OF YOU GUYS BACK TO YOUR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES OR REGIONS OR RESIDENCE,I HAD A FRIEND OF MINE WHO WAS WITH THE YOUTH FORCE THROUGH OUT THE WHOLE SEMINAR BUT NOW SHE IS BACK AND IT FEELS GOOD TO HAVE FER AROUND.I HOPE TO LEARN A LOT
| September 5, 2006 | 03:23:18 |
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  WAS IT JUST A SLOGAN? - Posted By: Jacky Ruddick
Jambo from Kenya,
Let me pass this on that....it was time to deliver,but did we deliver? and how much did we carry back home? and how are we going to use that to work with our leaders in our respective countries,to grace lives of young people and dont feel left out?
It was such an opportunity to be in Toronto,with a well organised youth pre- conference by the Toronto Youth Force where it prepared me to have skills in dealing with adult partners in my country,working together to strengthen the partnership and I saw some of the advocacy skills we learnt working at the committment desk from different global leaders who made committments to young people and who knows.....youth participation will double up again at the next stop in Mexico city for the XVII International AIDS Conference on 3rd-8th/August-2008.
I noticed that I was missing the youth pre-conference during the main conference,and the youth pavillion served the purpose of many young people as Adults visiting the place,it was an overwhelming conference,with some and none crosscutting issues at all and thanks to the youth pavillion and the youth daily orientation...wow,they were too early though!!The updates were lifesaving if you ask me.
Bye bye to Toronto with the tiresome North and South building levels..-which made me not to attend some sessions and I was not alone...that is for sure,but the few skills I earned I believe were rich and are already in my wayforward list to start the implementation...Time to Deliver is not a slogan.....was it to you?
we are all not perfect.....lets give credit where it deserved and open more doors for youth.
Miss you all.....
From Jacky Kowa
Kenya-Nairobi
| August 28, 2006 | 02:28:12 |
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 Looking back two years ... - Posted By: Kayley
Akenji, a leader from the Bangkok Youth Force, stops by the Youth Reception and shares his thoughts on the changes since the last International AIDS Conference.
| August 25, 2006 | 15:08:37 |
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 before the IAC - Posted By: Victor Ogbodo
before the IAC was AIDS, the conception of the IAC was born out of the HIV/AIDs pandemic.the Answer, efforts and future action was what the IAC seeked to repond to, so together we all have a responsibility in puting up with the post challenges of the IAC, in anticipation that the HIV challenges which we hope the Next IAC would be addressing would be a complete reduction/elimination of the impact of AIDS globaly
| August 24, 2006 | 10:17:51 |
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 Conference Materials - Posted By: Chris Shortall
Unfortunately I never got to collect any of the excellent posters, postcards, sticker, shirts, and other things that youthforce produced for the conference. It was such a whirlwind affair, I'd love to know if there are any left over resources that could be shipped to Newfoundland.
cheers,
Chris
Chris Shortall
GUYZ Porject Coordinator
ACNL
chris@acnl.net
709- 579-8656
| August 21, 2006 | 10:38:52 |
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Bikes: The New Global Fund? - Posted By: Mark
Kiley and Jason of Bike for AIDS on cacti, semi-trailers, and rain during their 7,000 mile trek across Canada to raise money for AIDS in Malawi.
| August 20, 2006 | 22:22:18 |
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Mexico 2008 sera placé sous le signe de la sensibilisation - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
Le premier Président de la Société Internationale sur le SIDA (IAS) originaire d'un pays en développement, le Dr. Pedro Cahn voit SIDA 2008, une occasion de sensibilisation accrue sur le sujet du SIDA."La tenue d'un premier congrès de cette importance en Amérique latine peut véritablement accroître la sensibilisation mondiale sur le SIDA" a-t-il declaré hier lors de sa présentation.
Il pense que l'amélioration des conditions de travail des professionnels de la santé dans le monde entier est nécessaire pour prévenier la fuite des cerveaux vers les pays développés.
Pour lui, l'humanité a vécu le meilleur et le pire ces deux dernières années. Le pire c'est la stigmatisation, la discrimination et l'inégalite dans la distribution des richesses ; le meilleur c'est la solidarité et notre capacité à réagir face à une épidemie aussi désastreuse.
Il reconnait les avancées de la médecine moderne ces dernières années et invite les acteurs à redoubler d'efforts pour aller plus loin dans les recherches.
MERCI CHER PRESIDENT
| August 18, 2006 | 13:36:19 |
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les rideaux sont tombes - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
Les stands, les posters et tout le materiel ayant servi pendant ces quelques jours de la confercne sont en train d'etre demontes. Les derniers contacts se prennent et chacun se prepare a retourner au bercail. Les jeunes se regroupen en petits groupes pour faire le point de leur participation et envisager Mexico 2008.
Bon retour et restons vigilants
| August 18, 2006 | 13:18:38 |
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Closing Up ... - Posted By: Kayley
The dismantling of the Global Village has slowly begun. Each booth that was carefully designed and constructed to display items to full effect is now being removed panel by panel. Each poster and picture hung up with care is being taken down and stacked up. Volunteers are packing up and taking down what they can without making the place seem too empty too soon.
Delegates and visitors have just a few more hours of formal sessions, networking and , exploring the cultural center of the International AIDS Conference. A speaker from one of the session rooms can be heard on a microphone, his words not quite distinguishable, but, I assume, he is attempting to capture his experience in a few summarizing words.
The final day consists of exchanges of business cards, the closing ceremonies, and hurried good-byes,. AIDS 2006 has come to an end. “Overwhelming” would be the key descriptive word for the week. The walls of the Youth Pavilion are almost bare. A few lone pictures remain, waiting for their owners to come and claim them. The chairs have been stacked and the usual crowds have dwindled.
Next week, delegates will be back at work in their home countries. Back to the routine of daily living, back to the realities of families, organizations, and everything else that they had left. While a week usually does not feel like a long time, the past five days have been so packed full of events and information, that a month could have passed by and no one would have noticed.
No matter what people’s expectations were, every one of the 25,000 delegates who attended this conference will be bringing something back with them. Some will bring back new ideas and creative energy for their programs. Others will bring back new information and resources. But all of us will bring back new contacts from our time in Toronto – new friends made with the hope of developing new partnerships.
| August 18, 2006 | 11:48:03 |
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 What A B C D E F stand for - Posted By: Sophia
Former President of Ireland and UN official, Mary Robinson, relates a moving experience.
| August 17, 2006 | 20:01:03 |
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What do A B C D E mean to you? - Posted By: Sophia
Former President of Ireland and UN official, Mary Robinson, relates a remarkable experience.
| August 17, 2006 | 19:54:17 |
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Say it out loud- the 'S' word - Posted By: Sophia
Actress, Sheryl Lee Ralph gives it to the media straight at the Toronto Youth Force media conference. She identifies the HIV barriers that young people face.
| August 17, 2006 | 19:51:18 |
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Youth/Adult partnership- here's an example! - Posted By: Sophia
Karrel McKay, 20, Jamaican, teacher........and president of the Portland AIDS Committee adult group.
| August 17, 2006 | 19:40:20 |
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What do you look for in a HIV prevention programme? - Posted By: Sophia
A UNAIDS collaboirative session on HIV prevention at the conference attracted the attention of a number of youth participants. One of the authors, Dr. Douglas Kirby, gives some main pointers on the publication.
| August 17, 2006 | 19:32:46 |
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A B C is not a mixed message! - Posted By: Sophia
Reseacher, Dr. Douglas Kirby, one of the authors of the document 'Steady, Ready, GO!', a guide on HIV prevention, explains how to read the A B C.
| August 17, 2006 | 19:25:26 |
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Oh, how many ways to get an invitation! - Posted By: Sophia
UN Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS, Stephen Lewis, is invited by a youth delegate to visit the Youth Pavilion. The Youth Pavilion, which is located in the Global Village, has been alive with activity throughout the conference. Listen to how Mr. Lewis responds.
| August 17, 2006 | 19:19:17 |
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Adult/Youth partnership- more needed - Posted By: Sophia
UN Special Envoy to Afica on HIV/AIDS, Stephen Lewis, responds to a youth participant on the impact on youth activism.
| August 17, 2006 | 19:13:29 |
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Girl power-where to get it! - Posted By: Sophia
Former President of Ireland and UN High Commission on Human Rights, Mary Robinson tells how education empowers.
| August 17, 2006 | 19:08:22 |
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La flamme doit continuer à brûler !!! - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
Les jours sont passés, les minutes s'écoulent et nous tendons vers la fin des activités ici à Toronto.
Oui après discussions, échanges et communications chacun doit enfin retrouver son terrain et ses réalités.
Nous sommes venus nous abreuver à la grande source et Dieu sait que nous avons beaucoup appris en si peu de temps.
Nous sommes venus allumer nos bougies à la flamme de la grande BOUGIE implantée à Toronto et nous devons garder la flamme allummée. C'est un devoir et tel est notre raison d'être en tant que soldats de l'humanité dans la lutte contre le VIH/SIDA.
Nous portons tous l'espoir de l'humanité et nous avons la lourde mais noble mission de continuer la bataille quel que soit les difficultés et les défis. Ils ne doivent pas nous faire reculer, ils sont nécessaires à notre maturité. Sans difficultés ni défis nous n'aurons rien à raconter ou à léguer aux générations futures.
Les jeunes à travers leur Pavillon et ses nombreuses activités viennent de démontrer leur inspiration, leur force et leurs capacités.
OUI Georgres Bernanos avait raison de dire que "c'est la force de la jeunesse qui maintient la température du monde à la normale, quand le monde a froid le monde craque".
Notre présence s'est fait remarquée et les dirigeants doivent prendre acte et nous donner plus de pouvoir et de parole.
Demain nous appartient et nous devons être associés à la résolution des grand problèmes mondiaux.
MAINTENONS LA FLAMME ALLUMEE
STAND UP
| August 17, 2006 | 18:28:14 |
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After the Conference, what's next? - Posted By: Sophia
"It's the end, so what's next" echoed through my mind on my way to the penultimate day of the 16th International AIDS Conference, after a conversation with a stranger.
Each person reading this has a right to enjoy life to the fullest, but not everyone will take the responsibility to see that the circumstances exist to make that happen. This was the though that remained as I left the woman behind to continue her journey.
On my way to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre the vehicle I was in developed a mechanical problem. (keep reading I'm getting to the HIV/AIDS relevance). So I changed vehicles and sat next to a lady I met for the first time. She asked me how the conference was going. The (enormous) name tag each participant was given was around my neck so it was easy for anyone to ask that question. The familiar enthusiastic response each time a stranger asks this question was automatic, but what followed was unexpected. Only, it should not have been.
She said, "So what you think will change" (because of the conference). This follow up never happened before, although I have thought of what I want to do when I return home, to Trinidad and Tobago. The obvious response, and the one I used was, "the progress will be seen after each delegate and media return to their respective countries (with the information)". I went on to explain, not sure if her composed expression meant she thought the conference was a waste of time. We said goodbye and that was the end of the conversation that has disturbed me since.
Follow me for a moment to analyze the HIV/AIDS problem in one short paragraph. HIV/AIDS turned up on the global health radar twenty-five years ago. Today a record 40 million is estimated to be living with the disease. In addition, half of new infections are among young people between 15 and 24. The epidemic has created its own global citizenship and resides in every region of the world. So we are all either infected or affected (or both) by the changes HIV/AIDS has caused. Still, with all the information the problem of not enough political will, gender, stigma, discrimination and a lack of access to information, education and services remain as barriers. But maybe the biggest barrier to breaking down this disease is INACTION!
You can change this; young people know the issues, as 24 year old Frika Iskandar puts it. She tested positive for HIV when she was eighteen. She is committed to preventing others from contracting HIV. At the same time speaking out in support of those who are living with HIV. The message she was sending: Do something about what’s happing!
Remember, Youth/adult partnerships have proven to work, according to Kerrel from Jamaica. She started a HIV/AIDS care service that has partnered with adults from the beginning. Meet with the government and political figures to get the facts and their help. If young people and the general public feel untouched by the HI/AIDS epidemic get the statistics and show them, is the advice from Melinda, a youth AIDS activist. There are ideas that you can share with online networks. For a start locate others in your area, groups and people interested in the same thing or try youthaidscoalition.org. Whatever you decide, do something!
| August 17, 2006 | 18:13:19 |
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 Voice from Egypt - Posted By: Tala Nabulsi
Ahmed Khamis from Egypt and representing the Global Network of researchers on HIV Aids talks about his participation at the event and
how young people from the MENA region can benefit from the outcomes of the Aids Conference 2006. Enjoy!
| August 17, 2006 | 18:11:41 |
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different kinds of advocacy - Posted By: Emily Davila
Faith-based organizations did a dialogue with pharmaceutical companies this morning. Engaging in a quiet room, we discussed how the pharmaceutical companies could make more pediatric drugs availble, speak out against TRIPS+, lower prices for "middle tier" income countries, and support the effective work of traditional healers.
After the meeting, we delivered letters of a campaign to phamaceutical companies at their exhibition booths. The difference in how we were recieved was striking. Some were happy to talk to us, told us about their programs, and said they agreed with our 'ask' for more child-friendly formulations. Other companies literally left their booth when they saw us coming.
Later in the day, activists marched and chanted, looking for the CEO of Abbott for a public confrontation.
Security has been high all day, with long lines as they search our bags.
Just giving you a sampling of the spectrum.
| August 17, 2006 | 16:08:17 |
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 Jamaican Youths and AIDS 2006! - Posted By: Keesha Effs
By: Keesha Effs and Tanya Richards
As Jamaican youths we stand very proud to be able to be among the 1000 youths and 25,000 adults/organizations represented here at the Toronto AIDS Conference 2006.
We take this opportunity to thank the Jamaican Government, the Ministry of Education and Youth, UNFPA,JASTYLE, UNAIDS,UNICEF,Children First, TakingitGlobal, Advocates of Youths and the Local Host of Toronto AIDS 2006 for providing the opportunity and space which enabled not just our presence but our participation and representation at the highest levels.
There are approximately twelve Jamaican Youths representing five to seven Jamaican and over-seas based HIV/AIDS related organizations.There has been much dialogue at the Pre-conference and even now at the Conference level. All this has opened doors of opportunity and fosters greater networking possibilities. With a greater resolve we will go home to impact our society in this global fight against time, against stigma and discrimination, against HIV/AIDS a pandemic that has hit the Caribbean region with the force of a million watts!
We are determine to continue the fight because in the end we are all vulnerable. We also see it fit to maintain not only dialogue but action, afterall it's time to deliver!
One Love!
| August 17, 2006 | 15:48:57 |
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Come Along With Me--BY GOLDMARK - Posted By: Goldmark Owoola-Adeojo
I am not HIV/AIDS positive, but seeing those sad faces on newspapers,hearing waillings on T.V instead of smiles as well believing that nobody is safe; is one of the reasons iam really involved in this crusade.
Let us all come along and fight HIV/AIDS. I just believe there is a way if we are really serious.Age should not be a barrier as children often think better than adults.Our Leaders should carry youths especially kids along.
| August 17, 2006 | 15:37:10 |
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 Notable dignitaries visit Youth Pavilion - Posted By: Hugh Switzer
Today was a significant day for dignitaries to visit the Youth Pavilion. With so many influential people on the list, hopefully youth can gain significant ground on the fight against HIV and AIDS.
Some of the highlights of the past two days are:
Stephen Lewis - Stephen Lewis Foundation
William Blair- Toronto Chief of Police
Tony Clement - Federal Health Minister of Canada
Dr Anders Nordström - Acting Director General of WHO
Mark Richmond - UNESCO Global Coordinator for HIV/AIDS
Yesterday, there were also some very influential people such as:
Dr. Peter Piot - Executive Director and Under-Secretary General of UNAIDS
Mark Wainberg - Co-Chair of the XVI International AIDS Conference
Matilde Maddaleno - Regional Advisor Adolescent Health, WHO
Mariam Claeson - Coordinator of South Asia, World Bank
To check out the commitments themselves, take a look over here!
| August 17, 2006 | 15:34:07 |
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The more we do....... - Posted By: Goldmark Owoola-Adeojo
The need to put a quick solution to the issue of HIV/AIDS,is the driven force for making all to leave other important matters to attend AIDS 2006. most of the people i interviewed believed that the more we put hands together and fight HIV/AIDS, the quicker the disease will go away.
Michael Soname from Nigeria said "AIDS 2006, has allowed me to know that HIV/AIDS is not for Africans alone, i will put in more committement when i get home".
Reported by GOLDMARK OWOOLA-ADEOJO.
| August 17, 2006 | 15:28:40 |
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SILVER KILSS HIV...MORE DETAILS... - Posted By: mike hagan
PLEASE PLEASE READ AND SHARE...
thank you...
o)<
mike
http://www.physorg.com/news7264.html
Study Shows Silver Nanoparticles Attach to HIV-1 virus
In the first-ever study of metal nanoparticles' interaction with HIV-1, silver nanoparticles of sizes 1-10nm attached to HIV-1 and prevented the virus from bonding to host cells. The study, published in the Journal of Nanotechnology, was a joint project between the University of Texas, Austin and Mexico Univeristy, Nuevo Leon.
"Our article opens an important avenue for research," said Miguel Jose Yacaman, from University of Texas, Department of Engineering and one of the study's authors.
In this study, scientists mixed silver nanoparticles with three different capping agents: foamy carbon, poly (PVP), and bovine serum albumin (BSA)."Not using a capping agent could result in the synthesis of big crystals instead of nanocrystals," explained Yacaman.
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed the silver nanoparticles in the foamy carbon matrix were joined together, but an ultrasonic bath in deionized water released a significant number of nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were of size 16.19 (+-8.69)nm and had the greatest variety of shapes, such as icosahedral, decahedral, and elongated.
"Because of the synthesis procedure, the foamy carbon-coated naoparticles are more likely to have broad shape distribution," said Yacaman. Scientists used the electron beam to release the remainder of the nanoparticles from the joined bundle.
For the PVP-coated silver nanoparticles, scientists used glycerine as a dissolving agent. These particles were of size 6.53 (+-2.41). In the third preparation, scientists used serum albumin, the most common protein in blood plasma. The sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen chemicals in BSA stabilized the nanoparticles, which were in the range of 3.12 (+-2.00) nm.
Scientists studied the absorption spectra of the different preparations to pinpoint their shapes. "Spherical nanoparticles absorbed in the blue region of the spectrum, for example," Yacaman said.
Also, the UV-Visible spectra graphs helped the group determine nanoparticle sizes. "The surface plasmon resonance peak wavelength increased with size," explained Yacaman.
Scientists tested, in vitro, each of three silver nanoparticle-preparations in HIV-1 cells. Yacaman and his colleagues incubated the samples at 37 C. After three hours and 24 hours, respectively, 0% of the cells were living.
The results showed that a silver nanoparticle concentration greater than 25 ug/mL worked more effectively at inhibiting HIV-1 cells. Plus, the foamy carbon was a slightly-better capping agent because of its free surface area. Size also played a role since none of the attached nanoparticles were greater than 10nm.
Scientists think the nanoparticles bonded through the gp120 glycoprotein knobs on HIV-1, using the sulfur residues on the knobs. The spacing between the knobs of ~22nm matched the center-to-center nanoparticle spacing.
Although this study shows silver nanoparticles may treat HIV-1, scientists need to research this relationship further. "We lack information regarding the long-term effects of metal nanoparticles," cautioned Yacaman. Scientists are forming a preventive cream for HIV-1, which they will test on humans.
Scientists are also studying other uses for silver nanoparticles. "We're testing against other viruses and the 'super bug (Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus).' Our preliminary results indicate that silver nanoparticles can effectively attack other micro-organisms," Yacaman said.
By Syeda Z. Hamdani; Copyright 2005 PhysOrg.com
| August 17, 2006 | 15:22:52 |
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Encore de la voix des acteurs de la medecine traditionnelle - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
M. Edward Fai de Pormetra Cameroun n'a pas arrete de lancer le slogan et de rythmer la marche par sa voix.
Savourez
MERCI!!! VOTRE ENGAGEMENT EST CONTAGIEUX
| August 17, 2006 | 14:17:39 |
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Vivez l'ambiance de la marche des acteurs de la Medecine traditionnelle - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
Chants, slogans, danses et musique, je n'ai pas su resister. je vous invite a couter quelques sequences.
DANSEZ SI VOUS VOULEZ
| August 17, 2006 | 14:11:49 |
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Les acteurs de la medecine traditionnelle s'en melent - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
Toroton a vribre ce matin au rythme d'une marche organisee par l'ONG PROMETRA qui s'occupe de la promotion de la medecine tradionnelle a travers l'Afrique.
Ils ont organise a travers le Village Global, une marche animee par de la musique traditionnelle africaine. Menee par Edward Fai de Pormetra Cameroun et de Eric Gbodossou President de Pormettra International, cette marche a parcouru tous les stands du Village Global.
Leur objectif est d'attirer l'attention des acteurs presents ici sur l'implication de la medecine tradionnelle dans la lutte contre le VIH/SIDA.
Ils l'ont d'ailleurs crie a chaque etape a travers un slogan repete et repris par les participants.
Ce serait bien que ces acteurs soit ecoutes et soutenus car nul ne sait d'ou viendra notre salut.
Cette medecine n'a-t-elle pas fait ces preuves en terre africaine avant l'arrivee de nos amis les adpetes de Descartes?
Personne ne doit etre mis de cote!!
BRAVO CHERS AMIS ET CONTINUEZ LA LUTTE
| August 17, 2006 | 14:06:16 |
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Les acteurs de la medecine s'en melent - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
Toroton a vribre ce matin au rythme d'une marche organisee par l'ONG PROMETRA qui s'occupe de la promotion de la medecine tradionnelle a travers l'Afrique.
Ils ont organise a travers le Village Global, une marche animee par de la musique traditionnelle africaine. Menee par Edward Fai de Pormetra Cameroun et de Eric Gbodossou President de Pormettra International, cette marche a parcouru tous les stands du Village Global.
Leur objectif est d'attirer l'attention des acteurs presents ici sur l'implication de la medecine tradionnelle dans la lutte contre le VIH/SIDA.
Ils l'ont d'ailleurs crie a chaque etape a travers un slogan repete et repris par les participants.
Ce serait bien que ces acteurs soit ecoutes et soutenus car nul ne sait d'ou viendra notre salut.
Cette medecine n'a-t-elle pas fait ces preuves en terre africaine avant l'arrivee de nos amis les adpetes de Descartes?
Personne ne doit etre mis de cote!!
BRAVO CHERS AMIS ET CONTINUEZ LA LUTTE
| August 17, 2006 | 14:05:51 |
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT - Posted By: Hannah Renglich
At a press conference yesterday featuring Stephen Lewis, Paul Farmer of Partners in Health, and Robin Jackson of the World Food Programme, I was gripped by the compassion and urgency with which each person spoke, declaring it time to deliver more than drugs.
Farmer delivered the news, in case any were in doubt, that “the treatment for hunger is food,” and “although maybe a radical idea, children need food every day.” Tongue and cheek, Stephen Lewis likened this statement to one found in a governmental report he witnessed while working in Canadian politics, which read, “the incidence of drowning increases near large bodies of water.”
Robin Jackson supported her colleagues, dispelling the myths that the inclusion of food in aid projects to do with HIV/AIDS are “rolls royce projects,” or in other words, optional. Studies have shown that the effectiveness of ARV treatment is critically enhanced by proper nutrition and among the 14 million people who need interventions in the next two years, some 6 million require food intervention.
Stephen Lewis, in response to the folks who refuse to recognize the importance of proper nutrition, suggested that perhaps abstinence programs should redirect money to nutrition. One journalist interjected that the South African Minister of Health greatly promotes and supports the idea of proper nutrition; however, Lewis made it clear that his tactics of suggesting certain foods such as beet root, garlic, and sweet potato as replacements for ARVs are completely unacceptable.
As if all of this wasn’t convincing enough, Dr. Farmer called attention to Joseph, a young man from Haiti who stood as living proof of the effectiveness of proper nutrition in combination with ARVs. Using before and after photos over the span of six months to prove to the audience that nutritious food is essential, we saw Joseph’s transformation from emaciated to healthy. From knocking on death’s door to embracing his life ahead, there was no clearer illustration of the power of food than Joseph, who sat among us.
I’m enthralled by the concept of holistic health, which extends to the idea of spiritual, emotional, as well as physical nourishment. By being able to provide food along with HIV/AIDS treatment regimens, the World Food Programme is succeeding in sending a message that the whole person is valued; their life is not just worth hanging on to, but enhancing. With proper nutrition in combination with ARV treatment, people living with HIV/AIDS can make a positive contribution to their societies, engage with their families, and create the life that they want for themselves.
For further information about the World Food Programme’s initiatives, check out www.wfp.org.
| August 17, 2006 | 12:54:17 |
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Peter and the Giant Condom Question - Posted By: Mark
Being a youth journalist isn't all serious and solemn. Hannah, Kayley and Mark here ask Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS, to wear a giant condom suit during the opening sesssion! His response might surprise you...
| August 17, 2006 | 12:44:46 |
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Rossine Assamoi on Orphans and Vulnerable Children - Posted By: Mark
One of the subgroups within youth who are only beginning to receive long overdue, substantial attention are orphans and vulnerable children. Here, Rossine Assamoi, speaks on the need for more action during a workshop at the Youth Pre-Conference.
With music from Soul Influence, singing the South African National Anthem.
| August 17, 2006 | 12:17:54 |
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Highlights from Speech of Kerrel McKay, Jamaican youth activist - Posted By: Mark
Kerrel McKay, a Jamaican youth activist who founded her own NGO to combat HIV in her home country, is a truly breathtaking speaker, combinging power and dignity with a distinctively Caribbean cadence. Here, she discusses her sentiments and the birth of her own career as an AIDS activist.
| August 17, 2006 | 12:13:41 |
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Mary Robinson Commits to Youth Involvement! - Posted By: Mark
Mary Robinson, former Prime Minister of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, signed her commitment to youth surrounded by young fans at the youth pavilion. Here, she reads it aloud before the crowd.
| August 17, 2006 | 12:07:33 |
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Interview de M. Enger de Globaldialogues: Partie Deux - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
M.Daniel Enger Co-Manager d'une ONG Britanique Globaldialogues (www.globaldialogues.org)tres active dans la lutte contre le VIH SIDA en Afrique. Leur projet principal SCENARIOS D'AFRIQUE vise la mobilisation communautaire, l'education et les media.
Decouvrons ensemble
| August 17, 2006 | 12:00:16 |
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Interview de M. Enger de Globaldialogues: Partie Un - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
M.Daniel Enger Co-Manager d'une ONG Britanique Globaldialogues (www.globaldialogues.org)tres active dans la lutte contre le VIH SIDA en Afrique. Leur projet principal SCENARIOS D'AFRIQUE vise la mobilisation communautaire, l'education et les media.
Decouvrons ensemble.
| August 17, 2006 | 11:59:35 |
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  A media Conferencia - Posted By: Ricardo Baruch
El programa de jovenes...
En el Pabellon de jovenes del Global Village o "Aldea Global" la Toronto Youth Force esta llevando a cabo las actividades culturales, talleres y mesas redondas que los delegados/as juveniles desarrollan.
Cerca de ahi esta el Cafe Latino donde casi todos los delegados hispanos nos reunimos para tomar cafe o tequila y descansar un poco del agobio de la Conferencia.
Las sesiones de abstracts han sido sumamente interesantes, yo he tenido la oportunidad de asisitir a algunas relacionadas con HSH, microbicidas, estrategias de prevencion para jovenes, programas educativos entre otras pero es imposible mirar el programa de acividades sin querer ir a todas las actividades en el Centro de Convenciones mas todas las sesiones satelites, recepciones, presentaciones, fiestas y cokteles que las financiadoras, los laboratorios y las grandes organizaciones
internacionales ofrecen al termino de las jornadas.
Los estands en la Conferencia son enormes, los latinos estamos presentes a traves del Grupo Caribeño
trabajando en VIH, Brasil,LACCASO y Mexico. Han habido varias presentaciones en las sesiones
pero sin duda hay mas carteles de nuestra region que sesiones orales desgraciadamente.
Principalmente Brasil ha tenido algunas importantes aportaciones.
Los mexicanos hemos estado bastante ocupados con las sesiones buscando las oportunidades y las experiencias para la siguiente conferencia porque ahora si, nos toca a los latinos!
| August 17, 2006 | 10:49:44 |
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STIGMA IS AN UGLY WORD - Posted By: Hannah Renglich
The word ‘stigma’ is starting to lose all meaning to me as it is repeated over and over again at each session of each day of the AIDS Conference. A huge issue around the AIDS fight is combatting the spread of stigma, which marginalizes and silences those who are infected. On CBC radio this morning, one newscaster related that twenty years ago when he conducted an interview with an HIV-positive person, people refused to even enter the control room on the other side of the glass for fear of contracting AIDS. While this is an extremely grotesque form of it, like all stigma, this behaviour arose from ignorance.
Stigma comes in many forms, and is an effective way of shaming people in a way that is completely irrational, as often the cause for being stigmatized is beyond the person’s control. No one chooses their skin colour, their gender, or to be HIV-positive. No one deserves to be criticized or victimized because of these things.
One very positive initiative that has come of the battle against stigma is visible at the conference this week: a t-shirt that reads “HIV POSITIVE” is available to all, regardless of their status. The beauty of the message on the clothing also lies in the double entendre, that whether the person is HIV positive or positive about HIV, they should not have to be afraid to be loud and proud.
| August 16, 2006 | 22:17:35 |
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 Meeting on the Global AIDS architecture - Posted By: Luis Davila
Dear friends,
I just came back from a meeting with representatives from international organizations such as the Global Fund and UNAIDS, bilateral institutions such as DFID and the US government, and civil society organizations.
It was an interesting meeting where different views were shared, from the Global Fund's Executive Director (Richard Feachem) position on creating a central financial mechanism for disbursing HIV/AIDS funds, and have the World Bank concentrate on building up and strengthening health and delivery systems. This partnership, in Mr. Feachem's view, would help achieve concrete goals such as universal access for treatment.
The representative from civil society talked about the need to stop talking about a "Global AIDS structure," and focus on minimizing jargon when talking about fighting the pandemic.
The representative from DFID, as usual, focused on harmonization and system strengthening as the way to maximize the impact that financing has at the country level.
The representative from the US government disagreed with Mr. Feachem's view, and stated that it was better to have different organizations working together, instead of one central institution. He said that it is "against human nature" to just have one central organization.
In conclusion, this was a very interesting meeting. I was happy to see these decision-makers talk about international financing to fight HIV/AIDS at the national level, but was disappointed that young people were not mentioned at all. For example, I think young people might have some good ideas in creating delivery mechanisms that benefit non-formal education programs at the country-level, which could be a core part of country coordinating mechanisms (CCMs). Oh well... We still have a long way to go in advocating for young people!
| August 16, 2006 | 18:26:49 |
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There’s Media – then, There’s Youth Media. . . - Posted By: Kayley
The Youth Pavilion is a space at the International AIDS Conference that has constant youth programming, a youth lounge for young people to hang out and relax between workshops, and the youth-adults commitments desk. Each workshop, filled with dance, music, and acting, draws huge crowds of people, often standing room only. A documentary team is running around with cameras and microphones capturing all of the work. Every delegate that has questions on youth issues ends up here. There is a constant buzz about who might be coming to the commitments desk next. Organizers run in and out with laptops, cameras, questions, answers, and announcements for updates events and meetings.
With all of the commotion around, it would seem that the last place to actually get work done would be the Youth Pavilion. But, this is also where the YouthForce media team has their work station. Deadlines come and go, blogs are posted or forgotten about, articles are written and interviews are uploaded. All surrounded by the chaos that makes up the Pavilion. The media team also has access to the Media Room through the Main Conference. This space is more structured, formal, and everyone generally has the same focus, basically, a more productive environment overall.
But what fun would that be? If we are reporting for the YouthForce, the best place to be is right here, in the middle of it all. Even if that means needing to read through everything once or twice more because of the noise level, or being distracted by the belly dancers twelve feet away, or a group singing. There is no other place that would better to capture the energy of it all then right here.
| August 16, 2006 | 18:25:02 |
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KICKING AIDS OUT- Forward-looking Youth Programs on Display at the Youth Pavilion - Posted By: Mark
The Youth Pavilion hosted a series of enthusiastic, audience-centric presentations centering on using sports and games to provide critical HIV messages and services to young people.
The Commonwealth Games Canada organization hosted a discussion on youth-led games and sport activities, including “Kicking AIDS Out” soccer leagues used in countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa.
The presenters led the audience in a series of call and responses.
“Cowabunga!” shouted (name), to which the audience clapped back a simple, syncopated beat.
“Senorita!” he then shouted, to which a longer, bossa nova-like reply clap was provided by the audience.
Mary-Jean from Namibia described the evolution of a high-school student targeting, volunteer-led program to include messaging within sports programs, including a soccer league specifically geared towards female student involvement. The education is not limited to HIV, instead including environmental and leadership training, with the expectation that “to whom much is given, much is expected.”
Katrina, a Namibian participant in the program, spoke of the personal impact the programming had on she and her peers.
“I know participants who have been involved in drugs and alcohol in the past, but who have stopped since joining the program,” she said.
Selecting a group of volunteers, one workshop leader had them play several of the games actually used in the field to teach key positive living lessons around the HIV theme, helping to reduce stigma and open lines of discussion.
During one game, the eight volunteers had to find a way to all stand on a single sheet of newspaper, an exercise designed to build open communication and teamwork. Another exercise had a group of volunteers form a hand-linked chain through which a ‘cat’ had to chase a ‘mouse,’ representing high-risk behavior or HIV’s pursuit of a young individual.
Kitso, a young man from Botswana, told the crowd about the positive impact the program had on his life. Before joining, he had gotten mixed up in a local gang in one of the poorest parts of the country, one involved in violent, criminal activity. Following membership in the soccer game program, he managed to change ways.
“If it wasn’t for these soccer games, I would be in prison now,” he told the audience.
Following this, a presentation of the use of soccer stars and child games offered similar approaches and results. Combining social learning theory with the power of soccer stars in various African nations, the organizer has developed a full-scale, 4-day curriculum for an in-depth children’s workshop, embedding prevention messages in homework and youth-connected metaphor, among other tools.
“Kids teach kids what they think is important,” said the workshop leader.
| August 16, 2006 | 18:21:26 |
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New Policy Evidence for Youth in Developing Countries - Posted By: Emily Davila
Youth advocates, your toolkit is here. As we know, policy makers use evidence to determine what they do. However, there is still a lack of evidence about preventing HIV in young people in developing countries.
But today, the UNAIDS Inter-agency taskforce on young people launched the manual, “Preventing HIV/AIDS in young people, a systematic review of the evidence from developing countries”.
The first study of its kind, it analyzes evidence from 80 cases, and classifies them in three categories: -Go! (stop asking for more evidence and get on and do it!)
-Ready (implement widely but evaluate carefully!)
-Steady (not ready yet for prime time: more research and development required)
Now young people can take the UNAIDS policy ratings to their governments and say, this is a ‘ready’ project, we should scale it up, or say this is ‘steady’ and must be remedied.
The manual was written to fulfill obligations set by countries in the 2001 UNGASS Declaration of Commitment, where governments agreed that 95% of young people should know how to prevent HIV by 2010. Unfortunately we are still no where near meeting those targets.
David Ross, the researcher presenting the manual, stressed that HIV prevalence rates are often used in statistics to illustrate national HIV situations. However, HIV incidence rates are the most important to look at because ‘incidence,’ or when the virus is contracted, happens the majority of the time when people are in their teens.
“Youth are most neglected part of the pandemic”, said Stephen Lewis, UN Envoy on AIDS in Africa, known for his outspoken leadership. “The huge impact we must make must be for 15-25 year olds.”
Lewis said he noticed a “renaissance of interest and commitment from young people,” who he has seen working all around the world with their peers. However, he stressed young peoples actions must be further supported for a larger impact, saying “the de-minutia of what one person can do comes from lack of support from the powers that be.”
Though he welcomed the UNAIDS study, Lewis was quick to point out that it does not effectively analyze the most at-risk youth. Because its survey sample only includes youth in school, there is no analysis about programs that reach out-of school youth, who are the most at-risk. Lewis emphasized the devastating lack of evidence about how to work with these groups, often made vulnerable because they may of lost a parents to AIDS, and called for more research to understand how to reach these populations.
New modes to reach youth are needed, such as text messaging, which is widely used in some parts of Africa. “We must embrace youth culture which we have disavowed,” Lewis told the audience. “There is little resonance with youth because youth have been marginalized in studies and in implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child. I salute what you have done, but I beg you to do more.”
| August 16, 2006 | 18:13:54 |
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Interview avec M. CONCEICAO Denis - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
Bonjour
Croise dans les couloirs du Pavillon de la Jeunesse, il n'a pas hesite a nous dire combien il fait pour la cause du VIH SIDA.
Je vous laisse le decouvrir
c'est passionant
| August 16, 2006 | 16:03:15 |
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Stigamatisation discrimination et VIH/SIDA - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
Notre attitude envers les personnes infectees et certains groupes bloquent leur acces aux mesures de prevention, aux soins et aux traitements.
Nous rejetons, culpabilisons et maltraitons ces personnes, ce qui ne leur permet pas d'accepter leur situation et de s'engager dans la lutte. Les femmes souffrent beaucoup de ces discriminations et nous devons commencer par revoir nos comportements et notre mentalite. Ces personnes font partie de la societe et contribuent autant que nous au developpement de nos pays.
REVOYONS NOTRE MANIERE D'AGIR
| August 16, 2006 | 15:39:44 |
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From Rhetoric to Action! - Posted By: Hannah Renglich
On Sunday August 13, a strong contingent of youth and global leaders gathered to participate in “From Rhetoric to Action: Defining a Stronger Role for Youth in National and International Policies”, a forum used to facilitate discussion about commitment, action, and involvement.
The theme of the morning was strongly voiced by Dr. Peter Piot, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, who believes strongly that youth must be at the table in all discussions concerning HIV/AIDS. This sentiment was echoed by Josée Verner, Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages in Canada, who firmly stated that “leadership has no age limit,” a testament to the work of all on stage.
Julian Bond, the Chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, used the comparison of apartheid to the battle against HIV/AIDS. He believes that “the battle against ignorance is our biggest challenge,” since like racism, customs, superstitions, and prejudices are the social stigmas that will determine who will live and who will die.
As each adult leader rose to give their addresses to the audience, it became apparent that they are all proud youth allies, determined to listen and not afraid to make big promises. Joya Banerjee, 24-year-old co-founder of the Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS, bluntly asked of the adult leaders to identify specific and concrete commitments they are making to youth and when they would expect to make good on their promises, wisely adding, “we will be following up on these with you.” The three remaining adults showed great integrity in bringing their rhetoric to a close and finally proposing solid steps for action. From Xiomara Castro de Zelaya, First Lady of Honduras, youth are ensured an open space for participation in the coalition of first ladies and women in politics. From Dr. Peter Piot, an internship in the UNAIDS secretariat will be created. Dr. Julio Frenk promises the number of youth present at the next International AIDS Conference will be doubled, as it has since the last conference in Bangkok.
Caitlin Padgett, a founding member of the Youth Network for Harm Reduction International, reinforced the necessity of diminishing the rhetoric used around youth and HIV/AIDS, thanking Dr. Piot for using youth-friendly words such as ‘syringe’ and ‘condom.’ International documents are written in a language that is the result of compromise, and thus are “written in the language of no one,” Dr. Piot joked, which is why it is critical that “all AIDS programs pass the youth test”; they must be determined by and directed toward youth.
Her Excellency, Xiomara Castro de Zelaya, opened her speech by saying that “you, the youth, are the greatest hope for humanity,” but humanity is comprised of a great spectrum of diversity, for which the global fight against HIV/AIDS requires steady intergenerational partnerships and dialogues.
| August 16, 2006 | 14:30:23 |
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Youth Across Borders - Posted By: Hannah Renglich
Every 5-6 seconds, a new person is infected with HIV/AIDS. This was the potent introductory message to the Youth Working Together Across Borders session on August 14 in the Global Village at the International AIDS Conference in Toronto. With speakers from Botswana, Canada, and Malawi, and representatives on behalf of Burkina Faso, the forum welcomed youth from around the world, giving them an opportunity to share their stories and initiatives.
The engaging youth speakers who started the session with tales from Botswana spoke so strongly about the AIDS epidemic in their home country that the rest of the session paled in comparison. An animated young woman named Dolly delivered the news that Botswana has a 70% infection rate, complaining that too often, youth are criticized for being ignorant. Where billboards abound in cities, rural communities have limited access to information, especially in local dialects. “Ignorant youth?” Dolly jeered, “No. You are ignorant not to translate the message into my language.”
The pair from Botswana agreed that access to information and services would be a critical step toward reducing the rate of infection in the country. The small economy requires fortification to include youth, especially those heading up households. In order to provide education to infected, affected, and vulnerable youth, an organization called SAHA, the Society against HIV/AIDS was established in 1998 and continues to teach through entertainment.
In Burkina Faso, where nearly half the population lives on less than a dollar per day, the life expectancy of the general population is 45 and illiteracy is one of the biggest challenges facing youth groups working on AIDS education projects. In order to circumvent the issue of illiteracy, an organization called AIDS Go Away takes on AIDS education through music, creating a national competition in which children write songs about AIDS.
In Malawi, there are close to 1 million orphans; however the peer education and support of organizations such as Young Voices and Girls’ Alliance offer positive entertainment in order to spread the word about AIDS. Yet the statistics from Malawi are perhaps the most discouraging, with the average life expectancy at a lowly 37, down from 65 merely 7 years ago due to the rampant AIDS epidemic.
Canadians should feel lucky to have such a low rate of infection at merely 0.17% of the population; however, first nations communities still face the imbalance of being three times as likely as the average Canadian of becoming infected. Due to the power of the World University Service of Canada, young Canadians have put their efforts toward combating AIDS in parts of the world that are more greatly affected.
As one concerned audience member voiced his fear that North American charity will make youth and adults alike in developing countries reliant on handouts, he reinforced that “we have got to recognize our own power first.” In response to the general question, what do you want the world to know?, a young Canadian woman summed up the general sentiment of youth present at the XVI International AIDS Conference this week: “Nothing should be done for us, without us.”
For more coverage of the Youth Working Together Across Borders Session, take a listen to the podcasts up on the youth website.
| August 16, 2006 | 14:27:55 |
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Fashion fights AIDS - Posted By: Emily Davila
I love the fashion show! You have all these men and women coming in AIDS-inspired wear.
One wearing a "Drug dealer" t-shirt, said it was a great conversation starter. A cop sees her and asks, "so you are a drug dealer?" she says yeah, dealing anti-retro viral drugs to children in fact.
We need all kinds of approaches to fight the spread of HIV. I love what these young fashion designers have done. From a red ribbon draped silk evening dress, to a superman-inspired fight AIDS cape, it a great showing of the creativity of youth.
Stay tuned for pictures!
| August 16, 2006 | 13:18:41 |
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Commitments Desk gets a lot of high-level support! - Posted By: Hannah Renglich
In an attempt to engage and obligate adults and youth alike to act out against AIDS, the Toronto YouthForce has set up a Commitments Desk, where they are encouraging passers-by to put their commitments to youth down in writing with specific timeframe goals. The committed range from youth participants to high-profile world leaders and are each asked to write down their contact information, a guarantee that the YouthForce will be following up on each commitment.
The Youth Pavilion in the Global Village received three important guests at its commitments desk on August 14th. Melinda and Bill Gates appeared close to 5:00 pm, pledging $500 million to the Global Fund, a commitment they had announced just prior to the commencement of the Toronto AIDS Conference.
To the dismay of the youth media and documentary teams, the visit of the Gates’ was brief; however, shortly after they excitement of the group died down, word arrived that Mary Robinson would be the next personality to grace the desk.
True to her reputation, Mary Robinson, the former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, made an appearance the Youth Pavilion with the intent of making two solid commitments to youth. Quite willing to linger and converse with the group gathered to watch her sign her promise, Mary Robinson infused the crowd with new enthusiasm, as she wrote not one, but two commitments to youth.
“I commit to contacting U.S. universities to see whether they actively support undergraduate and graduate students from developing countries and especially positive youth. I also commit to including young people as much as possible in work with Realizing Rights," she declared.
With the support of Mary Robinson, Melinda and Bill Gates, and officials such as Mexican Minister of Health Dr. Julio Frenk, and Toronto Mayor David Miller, the Toronto YouthForce is ensuring that world leaders are being put in a position to be held accountable. Youth will not be satisfied with empty promises, and have harnessed the power contained in a single signature to propel their inclusion and respect.
| August 16, 2006 | 12:01:15 |
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 Forum Les Jeunes vivant avec le VIH/SIDA - Posted By: GSimon
Ce forum visait à discuter des expériences de 4 jeunes atteints du VIH/SIDA et venant de Singapour, Tanzanie, ou bien l'Ouganda.
*** La première intervante proposait d'aborder les stratégies à adopter pour améliorer la situation dans l'accès au traitement. Parmi les points clés figuraient
1) la nécessité de mettre en place des services sociaux de prévention et de conseil(renforcer les thérapies de groupes,informer pour traiter les malades dès la phase la plus précoce de la maladie). Une aide de pair à pair est aussi indispensable pour que les jeunes puissent eux-mêmes de s'accepter et éviter d'être systématiquement stigmatisés.
2) Informer pour mieux dissoudre les préjugés existants.
3) Former les soignants pour qu'ils gèrent plus efficacement l'accès au traitement.
4) Lier ensembre les mécanismes de prise en charge du patient avec une assistance pour le conseil après l'identification du symptôme et fournir un traitement préemptif.
Les jeunes ont un grand besoin d'autonomisation, et ils doivent se faire les propres défenseurs de leur droits!
*** La seconde intervante, de Singapour, a souligné toujours le manque d'information. Selon elle, réduire les symptômes ne suffisent pas mais il est temps de finir de parler pour passer à l'action concrète. Le HIV a été pour elle "positif" dans le seul qu'elle a pu découvrir ce qu'était le sentiment d'Humanité au sein de sa famille, ses amis et l'empathie des personnes de son entourage.
*** Un jeune tanzanien de 17 ans évoquait le sujet de la stigmatisation et de la discrimination. Il est important, selon lui, de trouver des espaces publiques ouverts pour le dialogue. Malgré que le jeune ait été bien accepté, la discrimination demeure un problème et le regard du groupe ou de la communauté est finalement difficile à surmonter dans certains cas. L'idée d'auto-stigmatisation a aussi été une idée forte de son discours, -poignant et authentique-. En effet il faut avoir la force d'en parler avec les autres, et il est nécessaire de rétablir un lien social, se faire accepter et être accepté. "Positiver le HIV" signifie que la compréhension/sensibilisation des "Autres" doit passer avant l'ignorance et la crainte. C'est ce que les jeunes doivent comprendre pour lutter contre la stigmatisation.
*** Enfin un autre jeune canadien évoquait la nécessité des gouvernements à assurer des fonds pour les jeunes vivant avec le VIH/SIDA, toujours face au peu d'attention porté à des problèmes tels que l'accès au traitement, malgré les progrès des programmes accomplis jusqu'à présent.
*** Henry a conclu ce panel avec la réflexion suivante : de Durban, Bangkog, Toronto à Mexico en 2008, les conférences peuvent toujours être tenues, et des promesses aussi, mais comment de nouvelles infections peuvent-elles encore se produire? Comment la prévention ne peut être-elle pas renforcée? Henry a ensuite évoqué les Droits de l'Homme d'une personne malade. On s'attend à de l'équité, mais on se heurte à une discrimination face à l'emploi, une barrière à l'entrée à l'éducation (collèges, universités). Par ailleurs, que peut-on apprendre des erreurs précédentes pour prévenir de nouvelles infections par le virus?
Maintenant que chacun a un siège autour de la table il est temps de parler de ces questions en toute légitimité et les faire entendre, avec un engagement continu à rassembler deux fois plus de jeunes dans les prochains congrès.
Après la session plénière, l'audience a été divisée en 4 groupe pour identifier des engagements face aux quatre premiers thèmes abordés.
Bonne suite de conférence !
| August 16, 2006 | 00:46:53 |
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Interview de M. Enger de Globaldialogues - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
M.Daniel Enger Co-Manager d'une ONG Britanique Globaldialogues (www.globaldialogues.org)tres active dans la lutte contre le VIH SIDA en Afrique. Leur projet principal SCENARIOS D'AFRIQUE vise la mobilisation communautaire, l'education et les media.
Decouvrons ensemble
| August 15, 2006 | 18:15:25 |
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Discours de Mme Michaelle Jean - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
Chers tous
juste pour vous faire vivre quelques sequences du discours d'ouvertute de la Gouverneur Generale du Canada. c'etait a l'ouverture de la conference.
Ecoutez la !!!!
| August 15, 2006 | 16:40:54 |
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Interview with Ogechi from Nigeria - Posted By: Goldmark Owoola-Adeojo
Question;as the Associate Programme Officer of Journalist Against AIDS (JAAIDS)in Nigeria, what is the step forward?.
ANS; Youths especially should be careful with whatever they are doing.Jumping from one place to another should be discouraged.As for everybody,those living positive should should not loose hope; and for those negative, they should go for testing on time in order to know their status.
Ogechi Eronini spoke with GOLDMARK OWOOLA-ADEOJO of LIVE A LIVE FOUNDATION,NIGERIA.
| August 15, 2006 | 16:21:06 |
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THE POSTERBOYS OF AIDS - Posted By: Hannah Renglich
I have found it quite amusing that the general population at the conference has idolized a handful of middle-aged men as the face of the AIDS fight. Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, and Stephen Lewis are the major (role) models for the week and wherever their names are posted, that’s where you’ll find the crowds.
Not that each of them is not deserving of the attention they are receiving…rather, they have all done tremendous work in their differing foundations and their strength of heart and strength of voice is extremely admirable. Kudos to them for their hard work and passionate response where so many others turn a blind eye.
Unfortunately, the immense popularity of a few is compromising the ability to hear the many. For example, this morning, the Toronto YouthForce hosted a press conference at which there were more speakers than audience members at the outset. This was all due to the fact that two rooms down, Toronto Mayor David Miller was involved in a Press Conference, which drew the attention of the media away from a group that is desperately trying to get its message out. But no worries, the press has time to redeem itself – tomorrow at 10:00, the Toronto YouthForce is hosting a second press conference. See you there.
| August 15, 2006 | 15:51:31 |
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Bill Clinton en la Conferencia de Toronto! - Posted By: Luis Davila
(sin acentos)
Hola amig@s,
Como estan? Acabo de regresar de un evento con Bill Clinton. Hablo muy bien sobre los esfuerzos de su fundacion relacionados a erradicar la epidemia. Me parecio un buen discurso ya que fue muy concreto al explicar las actividades que su fundacion implementa a nivel internacional.
Una anecdota interesante... Al salir de la conferencia y pasar por los bannos, me di cuenta que habia mucha seguridad, y no dejaban entrar. Al rato salio Bill Clinton! Lo pude ver muy de cerca, y habia mucha gente tomando fotos. Me parecio una experiencia interesante.
Abrazos,
Luis
| August 15, 2006 | 14:13:55 |
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Interview avec M. Enger de Globaldialogues - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
M.Daniel Enger Co-Manager d'une ONG Britanique Globaldialogues (www.globaldialogues.org)tres active dans la lutte contre le VIH SIDA en Afrique. Leur projet principal SCENARIOS D'AFRIQUE vise la mobilisation communautaire, l'education et les media.
Merci
| August 15, 2006 | 13:45:46 |
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Interview avec M. Enger de Globaldialogues - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
M.Daniel Enger Co-Manager d'une ONG Britanique Globaldialogues (www.globaldialogues.org)tres active dans la lutte contre le VIH SIDA en Afrique. Leur projet principal SCENARIOS D'AFRIQUE vise la mobilisation communautaire, l'education et les media.
Merci
| August 15, 2006 | 13:42:00 |
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Interview avec M. Enger de Globaldialogues - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
M.Daniel Enger Co-Manager d'une ONG Britanique Globaldialogues (www.globaldialogues.org)tres active dans la lutte contre le VIH SIDA en Afrique. Leur projet principal SCENARIOS D'AFRIQUE vise la mobilisation communautaire, l'education et les media.
Decouvrons ensemble
| August 15, 2006 | 13:37:00 |
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Pavillon de la Jeunesse : laboratoire d'experiecnes - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
Avez-vous fait un tour?
ne manquez pas, c'est l'enddroit ideal d'echanges, de rencontres, de partages ou se presentent tout les jours divers projets geres par des jeunes comme vous.
NOUS VOUS ATTENDONS
| August 15, 2006 | 13:28:40 |
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Interview d'une jeune femme des Iles Comores - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
Encore la voix d'une jeune!!!
Mademoiselle AWA Soumani des Iles Comores membre de Africayan nous parles de la situation du VIH SIDA dans son pays.
Bravo
| August 15, 2006 | 13:05:55 |
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Interview avec Lookman Tidjani - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
chers jeunes
je vous invite a rencontrer un jeune tres actif dans la mobilisation des jeunes en Afrique sur les questions du VIH SIDA, de population et j'en passe
| August 15, 2006 | 12:59:35 |
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DIVERSITY - Posted By: Hannah Renglich
Throughout my time so far at the AIDS Conference, I keep being struck by the idea that our world is an incredibly diverse place. Look around at any session or seminar, stand still in a bustling corridor, or walk through the global village and you will notice that everyone present is culturally rich, ethnically unique, and representative of a geographical region. This is one example of diversity.
However, there is something in common about all of these people. We all come from a socio-economic bracket that has allowed us to participate in the week’s events. We all are able-bodied and well-educated. We all have had too little sleep this week. (Ok, maybe I made that one up, but I’ll certainly vouch for that among the youthforce members.)
We keep talking about youth, youth as a single group, youth as a united front. But in reality, the term youth covers a HUGE expanse. Among us, some are differently-abled. Some use drugs. Some have very little money. Some have committed crimes. Some live in rural and remote communities. Some are stopped at airports. Some don’t have access to information about international conferences.
I’m getting at the idea that youth are just as diverse as the general population, and if we are going to keep speaking about youth in general, we must make sure that we don’t presume to speak on the behalf of those who are not with us, without their permission. Instead we should be working to enable marginalized youth increased participation in the likes of the AIDS Conference and other international dialogues on issues affecting humanity at large.
| August 15, 2006 | 12:05:16 |
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journey to AIDS 2006 Toronto - Posted By: Goldmark Owoola-Adeojo
I have always been ahead of news as well ready to learn and help.This was one of the reasons i showed interest in ICASA 2005, in my home country Nigeria.Though, the organisers saw me as a "baby",nontheless, Prof femi Soyinka, who head the team wellcomed me and my ideas.I was christened ICASA BABY.unfortunately, i couldn't partake in ICASA due to same period with my school examination then in COTONOU,Benin Republic.I was then ten(10) years.
ICASA gave birth to AIDS 2006 TORONTO.And here i come.I started writing to the Youth team and they were replying.day in day out, i spent my spare time at the cyber cafe looking for any of the staff to type my ideas which had been edited by uncle after writing it like a composition.But i never allowed anybody to know my password.
Luckilly, my proposal was selected out of numerous worldwide. My mother was shocked because i stopped telling her about my ideas because she was copying me. Out of four ideas she submitted, none was chosen. I took time to go through my mails, i dont waste time in replying.I dont also copy others,i believe in myself as well the need to get childen involved.
KIDS need to be carried along in this crusade. I started as early as age of four.Nobody is HIV/AIDS positive in my family; but i believe that one rich man in the midst of 10 poor men,is a poor man himself.If many people are dying of HIV/AIDS today and we keep on looking, it could be our town tomorrow.
Though,i ve no problem in getting visa,security problem in London nearly made me sick, well no hard feelings.I relate well with people.i respect the big wigs like the first Lady of Honduras etc, which ay team and i interviewed,but i am not afraid of them as i am used to all classes of people.This is just the begining. by the time iam 15 years, i would have done so much that the whole world especially Africa will be proud of a fine girl called GOLDMARK OWOOLA-ADEOJO OF LIVE A LUVE FOUNDATION, NIGERIA.My thanks to all the youth team,especially Uncle Alex Macclelland,anty Mila Gorovich,anty Nwansa njelemasani etc.
| August 15, 2006 | 12:02:59 |
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journey to AIDS 2006 Toronto - Posted By: Goldmark Owoola-Adeojo
I have always been ahead of news as well ready to learn and help.This was one of the reasons i showed interest in ICASA 2005, in my home country Nigeria.Though, the organisers saw me as a "baby",nontheless, Prof femi Soyinka, who head the team wellcomed me and my ideas.I was christened ICASA BABY.unfortunately, i couldn't partake in ICASA due to same period with my school examination then in COTONOU,Benin Republic.I was then ten(10) years.
ICASA gave birth to AIDS 2006 TORONTO.And here i come.I started writing to the Youth team and they were replying.day in day out, i spent my spare time at the cyber cafe looking for any of the staff to type my ideas which had been edited by uncle after writing it like a composition.But i never allowed anybody to know my password.
Luckilly, my proposal was selected out of numerous worldwide. My mother was shocked because i stopped telling her about my ideas because she was copying me. Out of four ideas she submitted, none was chosen. I took time to go through my mails, i dont waste time in replying.I dont also copy others,i believe in myself as well the need to get childen involved.
KIDS need to be carried along in this crusade. I started as early as age of four.Nobody is HIV/AIDS positive in my family; but i believe that one rich man in the midst of 10 poor men,is a poor man himself.If many people are dying of HIV/AIDS today and we keep on looking, it could be our town tomorrow.
Though,i ve no problem in getting visa,security problem in London nearly made me sick, well no hard feelings.I relate well with people.i respect the big wigs like the first Lady of Honduras etc, which ay team and i interviewed,but i am not afraid of them as i am used to all classes of people.This is just the begining. by the time iam 15 years, i would have done so much that the whole world especially Africa will be proud of a fine girl called GOLDMARK OWOOLA-ADEOJO OF LIVE A LUVE FOUNDATION, NIGERIA.My thanks to all the youth team,especially Uncle Alex Macclelland,anty Mila Gorovich,anty Nwansa njelemasani etc.
| August 15, 2006 | 12:01:56 |
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Message a M. Harper - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
Cher M.Harper !!!
Pourquoi vous etes si loin de nous
Pourquoi cette politique de chaise vide
Nous sommes venus dans votre pays et
Vous n'avez pas voulu nous accueillir
Vous n'avez non plus voulous nous ecouter
Nous avons faim de votre voix
Nous vous recherchons dans la foule
Nous voulons vous dire notre engagement
Nous voulons vous chanter notre malheur
Nous sommes triste d'enterrer nos jeunes
A cause du VIH/SIDA, un mal sans pitie
Nous avons investi du pouvoir suppreme
Pour nous defendre et nous proteger
Mais depuis vous semblez quitter la battaille
Notre s'enfonce a chaque seconde
Le SIDA tue nos familles et economies
Pour combien de temps allons nous vous esperer
Nous sommes tristes et desempares
De vous savoir absent depuis et toujours
Revenez revenez a la maison des jeunes
Revenez nous dire qu'il n'en sera plus ainsi
Nous vous attendons
Le monde vous observe
Les jeunes vous reclament
MERCI GRACIAS THANK......
| August 15, 2006 | 10:17:57 |
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Bill Gates et Bill Clinton : des exemples a suivre - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
Hier les deux leaders ont expose leur vision pendant le symposium tres apprecie qui a eu lieu dans la salle des plenieres. le message principal : <>.
les deux s'accrodent a reconnaitre que malgre les avancees considerables en matiere de prevention, de traitement et de recherche, il reste du chemin a faire. il s'agit de mettre en place des mecanismes qui permettent a chaque pays de traiter davantage les gens. bientot les microbicides seront disponibles et il faudra s'assurer que ces outils biologiques vont a ceux qui en ont vraiment besoin.
autant de defis que les deux leaders veulent contribuer a realiser.
Chers Monsieurs, votre exemple nous est utile recevez toutes les felicitations des jeunes.
Le premier Ministre canadien M. Harper devrait en faire autant.
Bravo a vous tous
| August 15, 2006 | 10:00:38 |
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"Celebrities" at the Youth Pavilion today - Posted By: Hugh Switzer
The final post of the day with the celebs who drop by plus something funny that happened. Will try to post one each day!
We had what I would call three "celebrities" today at the youth hub.
First we had Mayor David Miller, who was actually really nice and said some great things about TIG (see my other post)
Then we had Bill Gates swoon by with his entourage of people (no less than 10) with his wife Melinda who also signed an Adult-Youth Commitment
And finally we had Mary Robinson the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights who was also super cool and spoke with us for quite a while.
Funny moment of the day: When a woman tried to plug her USB key into a monitor port on the computer. It took me a while before I could figure out what the problem was -- we both seemed equally confused.
| August 14, 2006 | 23:20:15 |
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Opening Session Disibility Assitance Issues! - Posted By: Mathieu Warren
On Sunday night I was at the Rogers Centre for the opening ceremonies. I have a high pitch range hearing loss and I asked for disability for audio and visual impaired seating and they said "Yes, the first two rows are set aside for that." from the first attendant. I was with a friend she was visually impaired and she was with me with her assistant. We got hassled, threatened, and harassed by the security staff at the Rogers Centre. I was disgusted by their lack of respect for disabled people. When the doctor from the UNAIDS was speaking, he was speaking of discrimination...There I was stage left in front of him being discriminated against. I was told by the head of security that it was ok where I was sitting when I first came in... The security guard who was harassing me was threating to remove me with the police as well as my friend who was visually impaired... I said I am not moving and I was told that it was ok by the head of security. He checked with him and then said it is ok... I was disgusted... How can people who are supposedly able to deal with an event of this size be so discriminatory? Are we going to take this from people who are hosting us in their venue? What can we do as a group (all impaired people) do to voice this and hold them accountable? I am disgusted... If people can't look beyond a physical disability, how the heck are they going to look beyond HIV and AIDS? See my point?
| August 14, 2006 | 22:51:37 |
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Interview with Shamin Mohamed, 18 year old founder of Child AIDS Health Project - Posted By: Mark
I chatted with Shamin Mohamed, a young Canadian who at the age of 15 started his own AIDS organization, and who recently returned from a successful mission in South Africa.
Featuring "We Just Won't" by The Go! Team.
| August 14, 2006 | 20:59:49 |
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GRANDMOTHERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT - Posted By: Hannah Renglich
This afternoon I had the pleasure of attending a unique discussion in the community dialogue space regarding the Role of Grandmothers in the Global Response to HIV/AIDS. As you may be aware, the Stephen Lewis Foundation has been working extremely hard in supporting this unique group, who act as caregivers to grandchildren often orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
The session’s three speakers were grandmothers from South Africa and Rwanda, who shared their personal stories following a moving video about their situation. It was wonderful to hear Jeanette Ariba of South Africa say “I’ve got a hope” and urge the crowd that AIDS orphans “deserve to live a life that other children are living”. A second grandmother, whose name I cannot even attempt to spell, said that she was encouraged to have been able to come to this conference because she “had thought that HIV/AIDS lived in South Africa only, but learned that all people are suffering from this same problem.”
In the two and a half days leading up to the AIDS Conference, 300 grannies from all over the world gathered as part of the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Committee to offer one another support and share their stories. The outcome of the experience was “The Toronto Statement”, which follows in part:
Each of our stories is different, each of our experiences is unique, and yet we are here as representatives of countless women who share in our tragedy: for every grandmother here today, there are fifty, sixty, seventy thousand at home. We have needs today, needs for the short-term and needs that will never go away. It is our solemn duty to the millions of grandmothers whose voices have never been heard that gives us courage to raise those needs to demands – on their behalf, and on behalf of the children in their care.
In the short-term, we do not need a great deal, but we do need enough: enough to safeguard the health of our grandchildren and of ourselves; enough to put food in their mouths, roofs over their heads and clothes on their backs; enough to place them in school and keep them there long enough to secure their futures. For ourselves, we need training, because the skills we learned while raising our children did not prepare us for parenting grandchildren who are bereaved, impoverished, confused and extremely vulnerable. We need the assurance that when help is sent, it goes beyond the cities and reaches the villages where we live. In the long term, we need security. We need regular incomes and economic independence in order to erase forever our constant worry about how and whether our families will survive.
We grandmothers deserve hope. Our children, like all grandchildren, deserve a future. We will not raise children for the grave.
The resilience and strength of these grandmothers is an inspiration to me, and I only hope that their tireless efforts will continue to be recognized, and their cause held high throughout the week and ever after. My own grandmother plays an important part in my life as a mentor and a role model, and I cannot imagine a better or stronger group of people than grandmothers to be playing the role of caregivers in the absence of mothers and fathers. Yet for as much as they have to give, grandmothers need support, and with the cooperation and collaboration of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, many have found a way to sustain themselves and their families through ARV treatment and the ongoing horror of the AIDS pandemic. As a Canadian grandmother promised, “the grandmothers are going to be taking over the world.”
| August 14, 2006 | 19:47:46 |
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 The second day of the conference - Posted By: Marco Gomes
It is expected that more then 51000 people are at the conference. Youth participation is so uplifting and very impacting. Youth have shown that they know longer want to be in the back of the decision making. Many youth have taken action by making adult delegates sign commitments to where they are responsible to these actions that they have made. A comment was made to bring YLWHA to the table so that we can be involved in policies and decisions that involve YLWHA.
| August 14, 2006 | 19:29:11 |
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 48Fest competition begins - Posted By: Yasin
Sellected youth attending AIDS 2006 conference have begun working on their HIV/AIDS films to be completed in 48 hours. The competition was opened by Mr. Bill Roedy President of MTV network International and Special ambassador for UNAIDS in sheraton hotel Monday 14th.
"You people have really short time but want you to teach hollywood a lesson in filmmaking," said Roedy addressing the teams.
Their are eight teams competing each comprising of youth from different nationalities. The films willbe show casedon MTV on Thursday 16.
The winning team willwalk a way with good prizes.
| August 14, 2006 | 18:51:10 |
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Youth advocate unversal access to drugs - Posted By: Yasin
Muwonge Henry an African advocate for universal access is with all praise to the Canadian government to start producing generic drugs that will boost accessibility to the vulnable youth. Muwonge explained that years before, when the race was only starting to find a cure or treatment for HIV, research centres and big pharmaceutical companies used the meteoric rates of infection in Africa, portrayed themselves as would-be health saviours of the poor people to win research grants worth millions of dollars.
Massive amounts of cash were sunk into research. It produced triple combination therapies (3CT), treatments which attack the life cycle of the virus at three separate stages
The 3CT therapy included a number of drugs that are required to be taken on a daily basis; such as antibiotics, antiviral and anti-cancer drugs which attempt to slow down the damaging effects, and strengthen the immune system. Hence, it is crucial that the medication remains in the body at all times, thereby making the individual less likely to develop more serious conditions.
“It costs $10,000 to undergo the treatment program as set out by pharmaceutical companies in Africa, however, the average "yearly" wage in Africa is just $1,000 for the lucky few,” he said.
He added that experts have said in the absence of pattents drugs could cost as little as $200.
| August 14, 2006 | 17:35:02 |
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Pelo - Sociocultural Change - Posted By: Hugh Switzer
Stories from youth who have gone to Malawi, Burkino Faso and Botswana with the World University Services of Canada.
Posted on behalf of other Podcast Composers.
| August 14, 2006 | 17:10:57 |
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Pascale - L'importance du tradition orale - Posted By: Hugh Switzer
Stories from youth who have gone to Malawi, Burkino Faso and Botswana with the World University Services of Canada.
Posted on behalf of other Podcast Composers.
| August 14, 2006 | 17:10:32 |
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Moshabi - Passion is Victory - Posted By: Hugh Switzer
Stories from youth who have gone to Malawi, Burkino Faso and Botswana with the World University Services of Canada.
Posted on behalf of other Podcast Composers.
| August 14, 2006 | 17:10:07 |
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Modesta - Lead by Example - Posted By: Hugh Switzer
Stories from youth who have gone to Malawi, Burkino Faso and Botswana with the World University Services of Canada.
Posted on behalf of other Podcast Composers.
| August 14, 2006 | 17:09:41 |
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Kelsey - Connections, Values, and Perspectives - Posted By: Hugh Switzer
Stories from youth who have gone to Malawi, Burkino Faso and Botswana with the World University Services of Canada.
Posted on behalf of other Podcast Composers.
| August 14, 2006 | 17:09:21 |
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Jean Marc - Humility - Posted By: Hugh Switzer
Stories from youth who have gone to Malawi, Burkino Faso and Botswana with the World University Services of Canada.
Posted on behalf of other Podcast Composers.
| August 14, 2006 | 17:07:43 |
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Jean - HIV not a Death Sentence - Posted By: Hugh Switzer
Stories from youth who have gone to Malawi, Burkino Faso and Botswana with the World University Services of Canada.
Posted on behalf of other Podcast Composers.
| August 14, 2006 | 17:06:41 |
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Jason - No Gesture too Small - Posted By: Hugh Switzer
Stories from youth who have gone to Malawi, Burkino Faso and Botswana with the World University Services of Canada.
Posted on behalf of other Podcast Composers.
| August 14, 2006 | 17:03:31 |
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Gunpreet - Will Power - Posted By: Hugh Switzer
Stories from youth who have gone to Malawi, Burkino Faso and Botswana with the World University Services of Canada.
Posted on behalf of other Podcast Composers.
| August 14, 2006 | 17:01:18 |
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Eva - In our neighborhood - Posted By: Hugh Switzer
Stories from youth who have gone to Malawi, Burkino Faso and Botswana with the World University Services of Canada.
Posted on behalf of other Podcast Composers.
| August 14, 2006 | 17:00:40 |
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Eva - Ce n'est pas la fin - Posted By: Hugh Switzer
Stories from youth who have gone to Malawi, Burkino Faso and Botswana with the World University Services of Canada.
Posted on behalf of other Podcast Composers.
| August 14, 2006 | 16:59:44 |
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Dolly - Breaking Barriers - Posted By: Hugh Switzer
Stories from youth who have gone to Malawi, Burkino Faso and Botswana with the World University Services of Canada.
Posted on behalf of other Podcast Composers.
| August 14, 2006 | 16:58:00 |
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du cote du Pavillon de la jeunesse - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
Bonjour
ce matin et depuis le demarrage des activtes, il se passe des choses assez interessantes du cote du Pavillon de la jeunesse. une ambiance gaie, des jeunes assis cote a cote et a meme le sol ecoutant leurs homologues qui parlent de leurs realisations.
faites y un tour et votre boite a idees s'enrichira. ne manquez pas ce rendez-vous, cela n'arrive pas tous les jours.
Ensemble changeons le monde!!!
| August 14, 2006 | 16:32:59 |
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oops - Posted By: Heidi Carrubba
So its Keys... and she's not Canadian... the praises remain... lets post her speech!
| August 14, 2006 | 16:08:57 |
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Audrey - Unir nos Efforts - Posted By: Hugh Switzer
Stories from youth who have gone to Malawi, Burkino Faso and Botswana with the World University Services of Canada.
Posted on behalf of other Podcast Composers.
| August 14, 2006 | 16:05:17 |
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Top 25 Keyes Speaks Up - Posted By: Heidi Carrubba
"While the statistics are stagering, we cannot allow their magnitude to immobilize us" Alicia Keyes, Aug 13, AIDS Opening
While I was expecting a musical performance last night, the show Alicia Keyes put on was better then I could have imagined. Her top 25 things to do list was powerful, moving, and intelligent. Be courageous, be Brazillian, be a rebal... be human. The list and rational went on and I was proud to hear a young, female, Canadian voice speak to the potential for both change and impact, rooted in a bit of "will."
I'd really love if someone who taped the show could post her Top 25. This needs to be read again and again by more youth to more youth.
| August 14, 2006 | 16:05:01 |
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Dave - Hope in our Children - Posted By: Hugh Switzer
Stories from youth who have gone to Malawi, Burkino Faso and Botswana with the World University Services of Canada.
Posted on behalf of other Podcast Composers.
| August 14, 2006 | 16:03:37 |
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BK - Hard to Let Go - Posted By: Hugh Switzer
Stories from youth who have gone to Malawi, Burkino Faso and Botswana with the World University Services of Canada.
| August 14, 2006 | 15:59:27 |
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Youth Pre-conference: Planning for Youth-Adult Partnerships - Posted By: Kayley
The first full day of the Youth Pre-conference and I was already presenting. (The fact that this post is so late shows what the schedule has been like here!)
In front of me was a room full of young people who have started their own organizations, worked with their country’s governments, led peer education and edutainment campaigns in their own communities … with so much experience, what new information could I share about meaningful Youth-Adult Partnerships?
This was the question we faced when we sat down to plan the Youth-Adult Partnerships workshop for the Toronto YouthForce Pre-conference.
What we were working with: a two day training curriculum, aimed for small groups 20, for groups of youth and adults who have been or will be working together.
What we had: an hour and a half, no adults, and 125 youth leaders.
While I have facilitated this training a lot through Advocates for Youth, this was a whole new experience.
Through midnight brainstorm sessions, we shaped the workshop and made it relevant for the youth participants. Our goal was to give language to youth participants’ experiences with adults. We wanted to create a space to talk about effectively engaging adults at next week’s conference and about overall youth involvement within future AIDS Conferences. This workshop became a critical space where youth participants could question and discuss their role at the AIDS Conference and within the YouthForce.
My original concerns about the workshop were quickly dispelled as the workshop turned out to be a great success. Afterwards, everyone was excited and energized to approach, challenge, and work with adults during the Main Conference and beyond.
| August 14, 2006 | 15:32:27 |
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Roles des leaders religieux dans la lutte contre le VIH SIDA - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
Comment les communautes religieuses reagissent elle face au defi du SIDA? une session a ette consacree a cette question avec comme invitee des leaders religieux Boudhistes, Musulmans et Chretiens ce matin. ces communautes ont pris conscience de l'existence du mal et menent des actions importantes dans le soutien et l'accopagnement des personnes infectees. elles developpent aussi des strategies de prevention basees essentiellement sur l'abstinence et la fidelite.
cependant, elles ne beneficient pas des financements publics et les aides proviennent des dons des fideles.
il faut travailler a inclure ces communautes dans le circuit des subventions et financements.
PERSONNE NE DOIT ETRE DE COTE
| August 14, 2006 | 14:36:45 |
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Estoy en Toronto! - Posted By: Luis Davila
(sin acentos... esta computadora no deja poner acentos...)
Hola amig@s!
Les escribo desde Toronto! Estoy en la XVI Conferencia Internacional sobre el Sida. La participacion juvenil ha sido increible hasta ahora. Tuvimos una pre-conferencia del 10 al 12 de agosto. El 12 en la noche tuvimos un evento para la culminacion de la pre-conferencia. Ya el domingo estabamos dentro de la conferencia, especificamente en el "Youth Pavilion" en el "Global Village" de la conferencia.
Hay muchisimas personas de todas partes del mundo. Creo que voy aprender mucho de otras personas que tambien trabajan en el tema de la participacion juvenil, pero especialmente concentrados en el tema de VIH/SIDA. De igual forma, creo que voy a aprender mucho mas sobre los avances cientificos mas novedosos en la lucha contra la epidemia.
Me parece que todavia tenemos mucho que hacer, pero vamos por buen camino. Los mantendre informados!
Un abrazo,
Luis
| August 14, 2006 | 14:32:44 |
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Mayor Miller and TIG - Posted By: Hugh Switzer
Mayor David Miller was recently at the Youth Pavilion. When I introduced myself as being from TakingITGlobal, he declaired that "TakingITGlobal is taking over the world"
Good times!
| August 14, 2006 | 14:15:59 |
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la marche des femmes - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
les femmes donnent le TOP
Cematin habilles aux couleurs des initiales de la conferences les femmes et les jeunes filles ont marche du Roundhouse Park via le site de la conference pour demontrer leur engagement. c'est une maniere de dire que le VIH SIDA cause de deagts dans les rangs des femmes et il faut donner le pouvoir aux femmes pour aider le monde a sortir du bourbier du SIDA.
merci cheres dames de commencer les activites d'une maniere aussi determinee.
Votre voix a ete entendue vous pouvez en etre sures !!!
| August 14, 2006 | 14:14:00 |
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Youth Pavilion Day 2 (Monday) - Posted By: Hugh Switzer
This year marks a great accomplishment of the Youth TaskForce as this year, they have over 1000 youth delegates, 800 more than the last AIDS conference which only had 200 young people attend. Yet, even with this great presence youth still seem to be on the backburner.
Working at the Youth Pavilion today, I’ve had the chance to take a look at what is around me and who is here. It seems to be a running theme that adults consistently overpower the youth, even though ½ of all new HIV infections are among young people under 25. The Youth Pavilion aside, which, by the way, is completely run and operated by youth and youth organizations, we sit across from a group called the “China Youth Network.” As I look over, I can’t help but notice the only people who are actually at the booth (except for two kids under 10) can’t be less than 50 years old. Sure, I understand that it isn’t necessarily or feasible to bring five youth around the world for a conference, but what about someone who could at least personally relate to a young person?
At the Youth Opening Reception on Saturday, sponsors were consistently recognized, yet not one of the partners were mentioned. Even within this, to my recollection, the Toronto Youth Force wasn’t even mentioned except for some of the principal organizers. So sad that even at a youth focused event, youth were still barely recognized.
| August 14, 2006 | 11:00:00 |
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ceremonie d'ouverture - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
Le train a demarre a toronto
Hier apres une journee bien remplie, je suis rentree fatiguee mais la tete pleine d'evenements.
Oui, hier tous les jeunes, les autorites et les divers acteurs presents se sont retrouves au Rogers Center pour la ceremonie d'ouverture de la conference. Un geant concert riche en couleurs a cloture cette belle et exitante journee.
Le discours qui a le plus touche les coeurs et galvanise les jeunes est celle du Gouverneur General du Canada Mme Michaelle Jean ; une femme dont la voix a retenti du haut de la tribune comme celle d'un muezzin.
En substance elle a lance << la vie est notre bien le plus precieux et que sa protection exige une approche planetaire. Le sida devaste les economie nationales deja ravagees par la pauvrete. Le Sida devaste les communautes entieres partout au monde>>.
Personne dans la grande et luxueuse salle du Rogers centre n'a pu resister a ses propos.
Salut Madame votre engagement nous inspire !!!
en route pour la suite
| August 14, 2006 | 10:07:50 |
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The first day at the conference. - Posted By: Marco Gomes
Having just wrapped up the first day of the conference. it has been an exhausting and very rewarding day. Much of the day ahad to do with youth sessions, tghe opening orietnation of the youth pavilion. I am so happy that the e-consultation messages and 244 youth took part in are being recognizerd and really pushed for. I was bombarded by youth at the youthtaskforce table that were so inbterested in all the materials and the shirt that by the end of the day we became limited in the shirt sizes that were left. The posters were a success and has really gotten the point across. I really was happy and very joyable by the amount of adult body delegates that were heading to the commitment desk with a youth delegate it was amazed.
This morning I attended my first sessions, called " From Rhetoric to Action", and i may say that it was interested and somewhat non-identifiable as how youth are going to be involved in IAC 2008, being held in Mexico. Youth were represented but the most important issues were not addressed. I was very shocked that the only political leader that committed to bringing youth issues was mexico's Helath Minister with the commitment of increasing youth participation in the IAC 2008. Peter Piot, well that was a dispointment.
| August 14, 2006 | 01:21:18 |
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WOW - Posted By: Hannah Renglich
I came home early this evening to rest and gather my thoughts and write out a couple articles for the YouthForce team, but couldn't help myself and turned on the CBC live broadcast of the opening at the Roger's Centre.
I'm listening to the shouts of audience members demanding of Tony Clement (Canada's federal health minister)"Where is Stephen Harper?" The cries are so loud they are completely distracting me from his speech.
CBC is commenting how they are surprised to hear Mark W, co-chair of the conference and a scientist, take a political stance. This is in reference to his unexpected criticism of Canada's Prime Minister's absence. I guess it is just hard to understand why he would choose to stay absent, as did Jean Chretien stay away from the 1996 AIDS Conference in Vancouver. Is it enough to have the Ontario premier and Mayor of Toronto as representatives of the Canadian political administration? It's your call.
| August 13, 2006 | 19:45:03 |
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The Global Village - Posted By: Yasin
The Official Opening of The Global Village!!
The delegates' expectations and lessons to learn from the different cultures and their approaches to HIV/AIDS
| August 13, 2006 | 18:27:24 |
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TYF Podcast #2: Interview with Alischa Ross - Posted By: Mark
Alischa Ross, founder and CEO of Y.E.A.H. - Youth Empowerment Against HIV/AIDS - an Australian NGO working to inform and empower young Australians against the epidemic, spoke about how she became involved, some of the issues she faced starting her own organization, and the state of youth knowledge in Australia.
Featuring "Gamble Everything for Love," by Ben Lee.
| August 13, 2006 | 17:40:20 |
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TYF Podcast #1: Workshop Highlights - Posted By: Mark
An introduction to your faithful podcasting team, and highlights from the Trade - Access to AIDS Drugs, and Youth Advocacy workshops.
Featuring "Two More Years" remixed by MSTRKRFT, from the Bloc Party original.
| August 13, 2006 | 17:36:06 |
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voice of youth is very important - Posted By: heartfeltservice
AIDS 2006 Youth Site
This entry is about: AIDS 2006 – XVI International AIDS Conference
I am very happy to welcome everyone to the AIDS 2006. This is the first time the International AIDS Conference has had a youth specific things component and our team is very excited about it! TakingITGlobal has been working very hard to get everything up and running so many thanks to their hard-working team.Youth should take this opporunity to make meaningful impact at the conference and after the conference.
| August 13, 2006 | 14:52:17 |
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Au detour d'une rencontre - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
KOKOKO
Dimanche 13 aout 2006, il sonnait 11h 45 quand je rencontre un couple qui travaille au Burkina Faso. l'homme Daniel Enger Co-Manager d'une ONG Britanique Globaldialogues (www.globaldialogues.org)tres active dans la lutte contre le VIH SIDA en Afrique.
Leur projet principal SCENARIOS D'AFRIQUE vise la mobilisation communautaire, l'education et les media. Il s'agit essentiellement de prevenir la transmission du VIH en Afrique et d'ameliorer la vie des personnes vivant avec le VIH SIDA.
Cette ONG organise des concours de textes pour des jeunes et produit des films a partir de ces textes par de grands acteurs africains comme Idrissa Ouedraogo, Cheik Oumar Sissoko etc. Ces films sont gratuitement distribues et peuvent etre copies a loisir. Ils ont realises des DVD traduits dans plusieurs langues africaines a savoir le Fon, le Wolof, le Moore, le Pulaar et le Dioula.
Autant d'actions qui meritent des felicitations et du soutien.
Alors Felicitations, Congratulations, Gracias a Globaldialogues!!!
| August 13, 2006 | 14:31:33 |
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KERREL MCKAY : une orpheline du SIDA engagee - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
Jeunes du MONDE
Que ferez-vous si un jour le SIDA frappe dans votre famille? Que ferez-vous s'il vous arrache une personne importante et essentielle a votre developpement?
Baisserez-vous les bras ou allez-vous vous engager pour aider a lutter contre ce mal?
Kerrel MCKay a connu la mort tres jeune de son pere a cause du SIDA, ce qui l'a marquee. En reponse a ce coup du destin, elle a decide de s'engager a travers le Groupe de la jeunesse du Comité Portugais du SIDA. Son message a la ceremonie de reception hier fut plein de sens et nul ne saurait y resister. Elle a lance << nous ne changerons pas le monde, mais nous ferons la difference>>.
Oui faire la difference en changeant de comportement, en s'engageant, en changeant de mentalite et surtout en passant a l'action pour combattre le SIDA.
Tout est la, il faut passer a la vitesse superieure pour arreter le train de la mort dans laquelle le SIDA n'arrete pas d'embarquer nos soeurs, nos parents et nos freres.
Votre pierre est neccesaire a l'edifice!!!
| August 13, 2006 | 13:51:49 |
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Du cote de Toronto - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
ALLO
hier s'est deroule une impressionnante reception de la session de la jeunesse. de tres hautes personalites et activistes se sont retrouves pour une ceremonie riche en couleur et plein d'engagement. la Ministre canadienne de la Cooperation internationale et de la Francophonie a fait un discours qui suscite l'engagement et rassure les jeunes.
elle a dit ceci pour conclure ses propos << nous avons pris des resolutions et des engagements dans le sens de la lutte contre le VIH SIDA, il appartient aux jeunes d'agir dans ce sens pour tenir les promesses>>
de quoi galvaniser la troupe de tous les soldats dans la lutte contre le VIH SIDA
Donc a nos marques chers jeunes!!! pret passons a l'action
Have a nice day
| August 13, 2006 | 13:29:04 |
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AT THE TABLE - Posted By: Hannah Renglich
Fresh out of a morning session on youth engagement, I am dizzied by the scope of participation at the Toronto AIDS Conference.
From Rhetoric to Action was an opportunity for strong youth activists to take the microphone and challenge important global leaders regarding their action and stance on the AIDS epidemic.
It struck me that the phrase 'at the table' kept being repeated by the likes of Dr. Peter Piot (Executive Director of UNAIDS) as well as Dr. Julio Frenk (Minister of Health, Mexico). They were trying to stress the importance of getting youth involved in discussion, something that the forum ironically provided little time for!
By the time each of the adults (youth leaders, as 11-year-old Goldmark Owoola-Adeojo referred to them) had given their speeches to the audience, there was a very limited amount of time in which the youth sitting behind them could ask questions and engage in any sort of meaninful dialogue.
I cheered along with the rest as Joya Banerjee of the US demanded concrete committments from each of the three remaining global leaders (yes, two left mid-forum for other engagements and by the end, there were only two). She demanded promises and timeframes and promised in return to follow up with each of them.
There's not a real direction to this rambling, other than that my mind keeps wandering back to this 'at the table' idea, which three out of five leaders were unable to fulfill even in a two hour session one morning at this conference. At least I can say, the two men who championed it the most managed to stick around until the applause ended.
| August 13, 2006 | 13:17:42 |
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l'autre moitie de la voix de Lookman - Posted By: Mark
chers tous
je vous complete l'interview pour vous donner l'entierete de son point de vue. c'etait une tres interessante rencontre avec lui
faisons entendre nos voix!!!
| August 13, 2006 | 11:10:42 |
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Interview d'un jeune actif sur les questions du VIH SIDA - Posted By: Mark
Chers
en dehors des ecrits nous avons donne la parole a un jeune beninois qui a bien voulu partager ses experiences avec nous.
merci
| August 13, 2006 | 11:03:40 |
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Il faut sauver les orphelins et les personnes vulnerables - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
Bievenue
Apres la formation Kaiser nous voila dans le vif du sujet.
Les jeunes participent depuis quelques jours a la Faculte de medecine de l'Universite de Toronto aux activites de la preconference avec des themes tres interessants.
Des presentations a susciter en vous la revolte, des histoires a vous faire pleurer toutes les larmes de votre corps, des initiatives a eveiller en vous l'engagement, voila le film des evenement.
l'une des presentations qui a retenu notre attention est celle concernant les ORPHELINS ET LES PERSONNES VULNERABLES. Les orphelins du SIDA deviennent de plus en plus nombreux et exposes a divers problemes. Il s'agit notamment de la depression, du desespoir, de l'abandon et tout ceci accentue l'evolution du mal.
Il faut les accepter, les aider, ils ont aussi droit comme nous tous a la vie!!!
NUL NE SERA DE TROP DANS CE COMBAT!!!
| August 12, 2006 | 16:00:38 |
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Youth Pre-Conference rocks on... - Posted By: Hannah Renglich
Day 3 of the Youth Pre-Conference is well underway, and I can safely say that it has gotten many youth extremely excited for the upcoming week! After sitting in on a session this morning about Orphans and Vulnerable Children, I had to gather my thoughts and cap my strong emotional response to the stories I had heard in order to head out on the road and gather my media badge. For anyone not attending the conference this week, thank your lucky stars you didn't have to wait in those Metro Toronto Convention Centre lineups. Picture some twenty thousand delegates, replete with (some angered) journalists waiting for their media badges, and then throw in some well-meaning volunteers and you have a good idea of the proceedings of the afternoon. Tonight's events promise to be much more fun, uniting the youth contingent even further with a special Youth Opening Ceremony featuring appearances by Dr. Peter Piot, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hollet, and many more. Stay tuned for details...
| August 12, 2006 | 15:33:56 |
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Formation de la Fondation Kaiser - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
Chers amis
En prelude a la conference, la Fondation Kaiser travaille a faire des journalistes de vrais reporters et acteurs des evenements de la Conference sur le VIH SIDA. En effet, elle a reuni du 9 au 12 aout 2006, une centaine de journalistes a Novotel Hotel pour des series de presentatiions tres interessantes. Ces journalistes venus de plusieurs pays suivent des presenations sur la situation du SIDA en Afrique, en Inde, le SIDA,les femmes et les enfants, commemt couvrir une conference sur le SIDA, les vaccins en cours d'essai contre le mal pour ne citer que ceux-la. Kaiser avec son reseau de journalistes contribue enormement au processus de collecte, de traitememt et de diffusion de l'information sur les divers aspets du VIH SIDA. Je crois que c'est l'une des manieres de combattre le VIH SIDA car l'information est au coeur de toute action humaine qui se veut efficace et durable. L'ignorance voire le manque d'informations au sujet de ce mal n'est pas de nature a faire evoluer notre combat commun contre ce malfaiteur.
Sans vous mentir c'est un bon depart pour les evenememts a venir lors de la grande conference. Nous vous ferons le plaisir de vous servir tout au long de la conference afin de vous mettre sur les memes longueurs d'onde.
Merci d'y croire et de joindre votre voix a la lutte!!!
a bientot
| August 12, 2006 | 15:33:21 |
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 HIP HOP VS. HIV - Posted By: Rodrigo Ardiles
International HIV educational program Hip Hop vs. HIV (Elephriends Productions Montreal), with the help of community partners Toronto Community Housing and Regent Park Community Centre, is hosting two events this week to raise awareness among youth about HIV and AIDS.
On Monday, August 14 at 6:00 pm there will be a HIV education and prevention workshop for youth at Regent Park Community Centre (South). Various Toronto-based HIV education organizations will discuss how they can be accessed as community resources and some of the issues that have led to the dramatic increase of HIV in Ontario.
The workshop will also launch a week-long project that will bring young artists from Toronto and Montreal together to join forces in creating a free “Hip-Hopera” concert to be performed at the North Regent Park Baseball Field (behind the Saint Cyril church, North of Sackville & Dundas Sts.) on Saturday, August 19, at 8:00 pm. The free concert will use the Hip Hop elements of Graffiti, Break Dancing, and Spoken Word to promote HIV education and prevention.
Hip Hop vs. HIV seeks to effectively prevent HIV through participatory community action in the arts. It is a popular educational program, created by Rodrigo Ardiles in Montreal. It uses “Hip Hop” music and culture to engage youth in their and others’ education about HIV and AIDS. Hip Hop vs. HIV is supported by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). UNESCO works to promote collaboration through education, science, and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, the rule of law, and the human rights and fundamental freedoms proclaimed in the UN Charter through international project, programs and awards.
Toronto Community Housing is the largest social housing provider in Canada. It is home to about 164,000 low and moderate-income tenants in 58,500 households, including seniors, families, singles, refugees, recent immigrants to Canada and people with special needs.
For more information:
Taiwo Bah
Youth Events Communications Liaison
Toronto Community Housing
(416) 981-4344; M: (416) 896-2169
Jean-Philippe Vezina
Communications francophones L'OBNL les Productions Elephriends et la coopérative de travail
(514) 341-5395
| August 12, 2006 | 02:50:46 |
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Toronto - Posted By: Mark
I tried to write this blog last night, but alas, the word “Toronto” was too much for my tired fingers, and “tronnnoooo” and “rtnotonnnnn” just weren’t cutting it.
But now it is morning, and I sit in the glass walled, white ceilinged corridor of the Medical Science building in the heart of the stunningly beautiful University of Toronto campus. On my right are a gorgeous collection of men and women from Armenia, Jordan, Turkey, Bulgaria. I’m not sure where else, but regardless, they’re all way too good-looking for their own good. They’re being interviewed by a woman with red highlights clutching a cup of Tim Horton’s, part of a Canadian documentary being made about the youth conference.
See, this is the social movement of our time. Coming together in good will, online skills and sharp looks to fight the social illness of our time.
A group of young African are joking together, one beating rhythms into a table. Another has a guitar slung across his back. They exchange pounds.
Digital cameras flash, laptop screens glow, side glances are exchanged. This is like freshman orientation at college, except without the parents, and 250 leading youth activists leading mini-revolutions in each of their towns.
The excitement and nerves are palpable. There’ll be over 1,000 of us come the actual conference, and we are gonna be making some serious waves at this show!
| August 11, 2006 | 17:20:38 |
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SPIT: Time Up Freestyle - Posted By: Mark
A freestyle from Four by Four, from Watema Ronald, from Kampala, Uganda. He will be performing at the main conference.
| August 11, 2006 | 15:39:40 |
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To the battle grounds we go - Posted By: Mark
There always has to be a comedown. That’s part of the nature of a conference about an issue such as this.
I’m sitting in on a session on providing care in ‘resource-constrained’ (read: impoverished) settings, put on by Save the Children Canada.
Hearing about villages like Meru in Kenya, in which ARVs are not provided for children because “they are going to die anyway” is tough to digest. And where men still choose not to disclose their positive HIV status, even to their spouses, or to join support groups or take proactive steps to increase their longevity.
To my ears, these are the sounds of a place without hope, even for their future generation. And that must be a truly destitute situation to be in.
But gains are being made, if only gradually. It’s important to realize the context, and to remove as many of your pre-dispositions that one brings in from an affluent West. Because you’re discussing areas where HIV is absolutely wreaking havoc and causing serious, structural damage to societies, this becomes a matter of long-term survival.
Grandmothers are given anti-retroviral drugs and alarm clocks so that they know when to give children under their care their medication. Children are taught to know that they need to take their medication upon hearing the alarm. Through a five-pronged approach encompassing treatment, nutrition, economic empowerment, prevention education and focusing on orphans and vulnerable children, progress is being made. Parent-child relationships are being prolonged, reducing psychological stress and allowing youth to stay in school.
Still, the point that was made clear to all at the session is that the focus on children and pediatric AIDS drugs needs to be increased. It’s one thing to advocate for youth (15-24 technically speaking). It’s a completely different, but entirely necessary calling to advocate for one of the most powerless of communities in modern society: children.
| August 11, 2006 | 15:36:45 |
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And here we are! - Posted By: Mark
I tried to write this blog last night, but alas, the word “Toronto” was too much for my tired fingers, and “tronnnoooo” and “rtnotonnnnn” just weren’t cutting it.
But now it is morning, and I sit in the glass walled, white ceilinged corridor of the Medical Science building in the heart of the stunningly beautiful University of Toronto campus. On my right are a gorgeous collection of men and women from Armenia, Jordan, Turkey, Bulgaria. I’m not sure where else, but regardless, they’re all way too good-looking for their own good. They’re being interviewed by a woman with red highlights clutching a cup of Tim Horton’s, part of a Canadian documentary being made about the youth conference.
See, this is the social movement of our time. Coming together in good will, online skills and sharp looks to fight the social illness of our time.
A group of young African are joking together, one beating rhythms into a table. Another has a guitar slung across his back. They exchange pounds.
Digital cameras flash, laptop screens glow, side glances are exchanged. This is like freshman orientation at college, except without the parents, and 250 leading youth activists leading mini-revolutions in each of their towns.
The excitement and nerves are palpable. There’ll be over 1,000 of us come the actual conference, and we are gonna be making some serious waves at this show!
| August 11, 2006 | 15:35:30 |
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Welcome! Highlights from Day 1 - Posted By: Mark
An introduction to the AIDS 2006 Youth Podcast Sessions, with first impressions and highlights from workshops on the links between trade and drug access as well as youth advocacy.
Featuring music by Bloc Party, remixed by MSTRKRFT!
| August 11, 2006 | 10:18:08 |
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Tackling AIDS Through World Trade - Posted By: Mark
Following a spirited opening remarks and ceremony, the youth taskforce, a colorful, lively collection of hundreds of young people from across the world, split up to tackle some of the major issues they will advocate on during the International AIDS Conference.
I sat in on the trade issues session, led by Matt Kavanagh, a friend from Washington and senior organizer at Student Global AIDS Campaign, and Constance Walyaro, from Kenya, of Oxfam International’s Youth Parliament Trade Justice Group.
The question was posed: “What is the state of access to anti-retroviral drugs in your country?”
The results were varied. Moshabi from Botswana informed us that everyone has access to first, second, but not third line drugs. Gabrielle from Brazil was one of the success stories, acknowledging that everyone has access to treatment, with a law reaffirming access to treatment. Amavis from El Salvador said that drugs in her country are largely unaffordable for those who need them, because generic drugs are not allowed. Veronica, from Kenya, spoke of wide access to first line drugs – those that treat the virus during the first five or six years of the disease, but limited access to second line drugs, which treat following that period. Her fellow Kenyan, Charles, however, mentioned that ARVs are accessible, free of charge, following recent legislation passed by the Kenyan government, which received a round of applause.
A statistic was offered: “6.5 million people, today, need immediate access to drugs but do not have it.”
A variety of reasons were provided from the session participants: race, stigma, discrimination, class, and other prominent global issues that span far outside of the epidemic. But one stood out: cost, and subsequently, international trade agreements. Following a quick run-down on the World Trade Organization and the Trade, Intellectual Property and Services Agreement, a mock debate between pharmaceutical organization representatives and advocates and conference participants from the Global South took place. Though many of us found the ‘legalese’ spoken in such agreements difficult, and terms such as “compulsory licenses” and “parallel licensing” foreign, the presenters managed to make their major points clear:
- Drug patents were not delivered by God: before WTO, most countried didn’t have drug patents. Why should they be forced to adhere to them now?
- Activism works: at one point, the US government was pressuring the South African government to abandon compulsory licenses, threatening to sanction them if they didn’t. During Al Gore’s Presidential campaign, a group of grassroots student activists pressured him long and forcefully enough that within several months, the Clinton administration reversed its course, leaving South African policy alone.
It was an inspiring message for a group that largely works at the roots of the virus, where their colleagues and peers deal with treatment, education, care and the like on a daily basis.
| August 11, 2006 | 10:13:19 |
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 Governments Worldwide Should Increase Efforts To Fight TB, HIV/AIDS - Posted By: Alexander
Although the HIV/AIDS pandemic is leading to increased numbers of tuberculosis cases worldwide, and more people are dying of AIDS-related causes because of TB, governments are not adequately addressing the interaction between the two diseases, according to a Report release by the Public Health Watch project of the Open Society Institute, Reuters Health Reports
. The report, which was released in advance of the XVI International AIDS Conference
in Toronto next week -- examines the relationship between TB and HIV/AIDS and governmental responses to the two diseases in Bangladesh, Brazil, Nigeria, Tanzania and Thailand. It finds that widespread stigma; a lack of awareness; uncoordinated services; and a need for local, national and international mobilization are intensifying the TB/HIV co-epidemic, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Governments and the international community have got to realize they have on their hands two simultaneous and interrelated catastrophes," UN Special Envoy for AIDS in Africa Stephen Lewis said, adding, "We must confront both together. We need more resources. We need diagnostics. We need better drugs"
Although Bangladesh, Brazil, Nigeria, Tanzania and Thailand have varying TB/HIV co-epidemics, the governments of all five countries need to increase coordination of TB and HIV/AIDS policies and programs. The stigma and discrimination associated with TB and HIV/AIDS keep many people living with the diseases from seeking treatment -- an issue compounded by a lack of adequate diagnostic tools. One-third of all sputum smear samples from HIV-positive people are correctly diagnosed as positive for TB, and any delay in TB treatment among people living with HIV can be fatal, there is a lack of knowledge about TB and TB/HIV co-infection among the public and policymakers in the five countries. People living with HIV/AIDS often do not have basic knowledge about TB even though they are at an increased risk of developing the disease. Advocates, donors and policymakers need to make a commitment to improve social mobilization around TB and TB/HIV co-infection and reduce TB incidence and mortality among HIV-positive people worldwide Let us generate interest in the relationship between TB and HIV/AIDS during the International AIDS Conference.
| August 10, 2006 | 06:04:13 |
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SIDA - Posted By: Vianou François Godonou
SIDA SIDA SIDA!!!
Nous savons que tu es dans notre cité
Nous avons pris conscience de l'ampleur de tes dégats
Tu as causé tant de malheur et de désespoir
Que des orphelins, des veuves et autres pleurent sans cesse
Tu compromets nos projets de paix et de bonheur
Tu nous voles nos espoirs et tu assombris nos horizons
Désormais nous sommes toute une armée
Pour te combattre et arracher tout ce que tu nous as volé
Nous sommes d'Afrique, de l'Europe, de l'Amérique, de l'Océanie et de l'Asie
Nous jurons sur la tombe de nos morts et de nos malheurs de réussir dans notre combat
Nous sommes sur nos gardes et vigilants
Notre chaine de solidarité s'est renforcée
Tu mourras un jour vaincu par notre volonté
Ainsi notre cité, la terre sera épanouie!!!
L'ESPOIR EST DE MISE
Une voix du Bénin
| August 9, 2006 | 14:51:10 |
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  Global campaign: PreventionNow.net Launched - Posted By: Sahro Ahmed
Dear ALL,
We are delighted to announce the launch of Prevention Now!, a global campaign to increase access to female condoms throughout the world. As of the launch, Prevention Now! has more than 56 founding organizational supporters in the United States and 55 more organizational supporters worldwide. Our website, www.preventionnow.net is now live. On the site, you will find basic facts on female condoms, research, case studies, and a range of other resources.
Please join us! If you have not yet signed up as an organizational or individual supporter of this effort, please do so now by clicking here. We will keep you updated as we post new information, links to country campaigns, and updates on progress toward achieving universal access to this method.
Help us profile your work! Please let us know about your work on female condoms. If you are running a campaign to expand access to female condoms in your country, are interested in establishing a campaign, and/or are doing work to promote and provide female condoms in your own work, please let us know. We want to profile your work on the site. Send an email to change@genderhealth.org.
Over the next few months, we will be moving forward on our efforts to secure increased U.S. international funding for the purchase, distribution, and program support needed to ensure effective use of female condoms. We will simultaneously be working together with those in the international community and with national organizations seeking to ensure support for female condoms in their own countries. We’ll keep you posted on progress on all these areas and seek to foster links between one campaign and another.
With all best wishes,
Jodi Jacobson
Jodi Jacobson, Executive Director
Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE)
6930 Carroll Avenue, Suite 910
Takoma Park, Maryland 20912
Phone (301) 270-1182
Fax: (301) 270-2052
The Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE) is a US-based non-governmental organization focused on the effects of US international policies on the health and rights of women, girls and other vulnerable populations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
If you have difficulties viewing this message or wish to unsubscribe, please e-mail change@genderhealth.org.
www.genderhealth.org
www.preventionnow.net
www.pepfarwatch.org
| August 7, 2006 | 11:01:58 |
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 IMAGING CHANGE: Creativity Responds to Children Affected by HIV/AIDS - Posted By: ghaz
Students and faculty at the Ontario College of Art & Design have come together to create a series of events that focus attention on the capacities of art and design to address HIV/AIDS. Our program is unique in its emphasis on children and children’s voices - giving audience to the children who are devastated by HIV/AIDS and encouraging students to creatively respond to the issues of our time. We have partnered with local and international groups to call attention to issues facing children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. Please see our schedule below for details about our events, which include an Art Exhibition, Silent Poster Auction, Panel Discussion, Film Screenings and Opening Reception.
OCAD will be a destination point for those interested in HIV/AIDS activism and children, with a focus on the role of art and design in representing and raising critical awareness about the conditions affecting children in the context of the global pandemic. This event will create opportunities for participants to grapple with the questions raised by the pandemic about the politics of representing those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
Check out the website for schedules and events:
http://ocad.ca/about_ocad/news_events/imaging_change.htm
I will be the go to person for this from TIG, since I am the creative designer here and attend OCAD. Email me to meet up and get more info; or just show up!
ghazaleh@takingitglobal.org
| August 3, 2006 | 10:59:55 |
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women suffer most in the issues of HIV/AIDS - Posted By: heartfeltservice
Women and girl children, apart from being more vulnerable to HIV
infection, have to bear an additional burden when someone in the family is
infected with the disease. It is the girl child who is more likely to be
withdrawn from school to cope with household chores including caring
for the ill, a study on the Gender Impact of HIV and AIDS in India has
shown.
According to the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) estimates
for 2005, in India, women account for about two million of the
approximately 5.2 million estimated cases of HIV and AIDS, constituting 39 per
cent of all HIV infections. Of the 1,11,608 AIDS cases reported in the
country until July 31 last year, females accounted for nearly 30 per
cent.
The burden of caring for People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) is
also proportionately higher in the case of women, whether or not they
themselves are HIV positive. Of the 882 caregivers in the families
surveyed, 627 were women — 91 per cent of them in the age group 15-59. Twenty
per cent of the caregivers themselves were HIV positive, as against 16
per cent in the case of men.
Conducted by the National Council of Applied Economic Research
(NCAER) and supported by the NACO and the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP), the study concludes that not only does women's workload at
home increase, but they are also required to take up employment to
supplement lost earnings.
In a clear indication of the gender gap in treatment seeking
behaviour, close to 9.7 per cent of the patients were left untreated in the
case of HIV/AIDS affected women, the study found, nearly double the case
of men. Also, women were more likely to get treated in health facilities
run by government or non-government organisations in comparison to a
greater proportion of men being treated at private nursing homes. Only
29.8 per cent of the women surveyed went to private health facilities for
non-hospitalised illnesses, against 41.3 per cent in the case of men. A
similar picture can be seen in the case of hospitalised illnesses.
While HIV and AIDS have a negative impact on children from affected
households, it is the girl child who is more likely to be withdrawn to
cope with household chores or to supplement the family income. All
PLHWAs face stigma and discrimination; the women face the worst forms of
discrimination. More women than men faced discrimination such as neglect,
isolation and verbal teasing in both urban and rural areas.
Households headed by HIV positive widows are also found to be
economically worse off than other HIV households, with the average at Rs.
32,993 in the case of women and Rs. 51,111 in the case of men. The average
per capita expenditure by HIV positive widow household was Rs. 790.
Moreover, the savings of HIV positive widow households was lower and
indebtedness higher than other HIV households.
| August 3, 2006 | 09:42:37 |
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SILENT POSTER AUCTION - Posted By: ghaz
Come check out the posters that students and alumni from Ontario College of Art and Design have created up for sale! Money goes to charity for Children with HIV/AIDS. Theme of the posters is "Life Matters" targetting children infected with the virus.
I have a couple posters that I am submitting.
Come to OCAD during AIDS2006 week and check out the stuff! It's gonna be awesome!
Tuesday August 15 - Friday August 18 : 9 am to 9 pm (friday to 6 pm)
OCAD is at Dundas and McCaul St. (2 blocks west of University) It's the crazy dalmation building with the crayons; you wont' miss it!
Then you should go to the TakingITGlobal OPEN HOUSE which is down the street at Adelaide and Duncan (19 Duncan Street) on WEDNESDAY AUGUST 16th from 6:30-8:30 pm.
SO MUCH COOL STUFF HAPPENING
| August 3, 2006 | 09:00:00 |
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 Lodging on WAYLA Grounds ... - Posted By: Aare Kornar !
...is free ! Kindly get your effects to be light and you will surely enjoy the ride.
Get to the yahoogroup of wayla and get the breakdown of event.
Welcome to the CAMP...It is well !
Akinbo
| August 2, 2006 | 12:02:02 |
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Pre-International AIDS Conference 2006... - Posted By: Aare Kornar !
This is to inform all participants that wish to take part in the 3days event that all tose camping at WAYLA Regional Office are highly welcome to do so, without pride or prejudice.
Moreso, you are to come along with minds willing to travel but can not make it for financial reason. This woul avail all the opportunity to make one or two submissions on the positon paper.
AKINBO A. A. CORNERSTONE
CONVENER.
for: WAYLA cum SCN.
| August 2, 2006 | 11:23:51 |
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PRE-IAC 2006, NIGERIAN SECTION. - Posted By: Aare Kornar !
CARE TO BE INFORMED THAT...THE PRE-IAC 2006 BY THE NIGERIAN CONTINGENT TAKES PLACE AT WAYLA REGIONAL OFFICE...
From Friday, August 4th to Sunday, 6th, 2006, Nigerians will converge at West
African Youth Leadership Association (WAYLA) Secretariat along Lagos-
Abeokuta Express Road in conjunction with the Save Children Now (SCN),
Council of Nigerian Youths (CNY) to prepare a position paper on the diverse
themes associated on HIV/AIDS. To Chair the Occasion will be Emmanuel
Etim from PPFN/CDA.
Subsequently, all participants are welcome to register for free. Payments are
made only on the issue of accommodation for those arriving on Friday. Kindly
contact the Program Manager (Emmanuel / Silas: 01-7925777). Writing and
Technological Materials will be provided at the Venue. Internet Conferencing
will be available at a price.
All participants interested to chair or facilitate a section of the pre-conference are
to send their paper on or before August 2nd, 2006. Suggestions and advice are
welcome from all and sundry.
For confirmation of attendance, kindly send a mail to waylay_ngr@yahoo.com
or akinbo@savechildrennow.org. You can also call our lines (08056681661,
08056520225, and 08057351116). You are welcome.
SUMMIT WALK
In preparation for the National Youth Summit comes up as scheduled.
DATE:
Saturday, August 5th, 2006
TIME:
11.00am to 2.00pm
VENUE:
Ogun and Lagos, simultaneously.
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ALLOCATION AND GROUPINGS.
Allocation of T-Shirts to all will be done on the spot. Kindly come along with your
printed copy of invitation or cross-check application print out from the Registration
Unit. All Trousers or Skirts should be plain black.
Distribution of handbills on pressing issues concerning Education and Health will be
available courtesy of various Institutions responsible for such information. Any other
contribution will be screened for approval as we welcome collective donation towards
growth and development.
3
The Nigerian Youth Leaders Summit takes place two (2) months before the convening
of the Nigerian Youth Summit, at which youth leaders will discuss the progress they
have made in meeting up the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in their various
organizations and jurisdiction. The Goals are a set of development promises that the
191 member countries of the United Nations have pledged to meet by the year 2015,
such as eradicating poverty to developing a global partnership for development, which
can be related to the Gleneagles Package for Africa.
The Nigerian Youth Leaders Summit aims to encourage today’s young people to view
the pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals as the special mission of their
generation. At the summit, conference participants will engage in workshops and
discussions aimed at equipping them with the tools to effectively campaign and raise
support for the MDGs on their campuses, various organizations, local government,
states and in their respective district.
Thanks to the generous support of the Nigerian Polity, the conference is free for
selected students including food and tuition (although transportation is at participants'
expense).
Interested youth leaders and students should send a resume and brief cover letter
(subject: Application) the email below or apply through our online forum
(please scroll below for instructions).
Applications will be considered on a selection platform without bias through midnight
on Friday, August 11th, 2006 by 10.00 pm and applicants will be notified within 48
hours of submission if they have been selected to attend the conference. Nigerians-in-
Diaspora are also invited.
If you have any questions, please write (subject: enquirers) to
councilofnigerianyouths@yahoo.com or akinbo@savechildrennow.org
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OUR SPONSORS
The Summit is sponsored by the Nigerian Polity. These are well meaning Nigerians
who have the interest of the youth at heart with the need to empower the less privileged
youth.
The conference is being co-sponsored by the West African Youth Leadership
Association (WAYLA), which has been in the forefront of training minds in the past
six (6) years with a track record of producing productive leaders.
Another co-sponsor is Ace Consult, Inc. The Incorporation has launched and supported
several major student-driven campaigns, such as the HIV/AIDS Walk campaigns, the
Student Campaign for Child Survival with PACT-OAU, and with Student Union of
various institutions in Nigeria.
The Save Children Now (SCN),Heartfelt Foundation, Readers Club of Nigeria, African
Youth Voice (AYV), Statesmen Foundation, Inc. (SFI), The Advocate, Yomm Kinboss
Nig. Ltd., amongst others is also co-sponsoring the event.
All financially committed outfits will be published in good time.
TAKE ACTION NOW
Students are invited to get involved immediately in the struggle to end the poverty of
inclusion in the National decision making by participating in the online forum of the
Nigerian Youth on the TIG Blog. Youth and student group’s leaders are asked to spread
the word about the MDGs by encouraging peers to participate in online discussions.
Log on to http://www.tigblog.org/group/cny and make your voice count.
Omolara Onafowope (Miss)
Co-Consultant, Ace Consults, Inc.
Co-Director, West Africa – SCN.
151, LAGOS/ABEOKUTA EXPRESSWAY,
SANGO OTA - OGUN STATE.
| August 2, 2006 | 11:16:19 |
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world poverty ,can it be eliminated? - Posted By: heartfeltservice
Indeed the fact that the world does not care enough to address these
issues really expresses the degree of human degradation and this is
linked to humanity's ancient shame and fear based modes of existence. From
shame and fear and seeing the world as what it is NOT rather than what
it IS or the POTENTIAL that exists, we create a feast/famine duality
upon which one side has so much that they make themselves sick both
mentally and physically, while the other side suffers from a lack of even
the most basic resources.
What is missing from this equation is the realization that it is simply
not in humanity's interests to maintain such a dysfunctional pattern of
existence and the extremes we now see in the use of resources are not
historical norms. In the past, I believe the distance between rich and
poor was much less because of the practical limits to what technology
could do. With the loss of those natural limits to growth and technology
development, we see gross distortions between the haves and have-nots
globally. This trend if unchecked will threaten the stability of not
only globalization but the whole process of modernization itself as it
will lead not only to rising resentment but increasing impulses to strike
back at the powerful by any means necessary - terrorism.
Now in terms of your comments regarding the market system I agree but I
want to add what I see as was and is still missing in the traditional
left-right dialectic. First the left needs to accept the understanding
that liberalization is necessary but the problem is how to liberalize.
It is the difference between a development program based on rhetoric and
results driven actions involves transparency and such action oriented
development in my view involves the empowerment of local economic actors
at the grassroots.
In Africa there are many famous stories of national leaders who started
out driven by noble and idealistic visions and descended into
corruption and dictatorship and civil war. In Tanzania my understanding was that
collectivist approach inspired by Marx was a failure. Yet this does not
mean that we should or do not need to be more collective in our
approach. However, such strategies would in my view best designed as hybrid,
market driven social enterprises. This includes in my view a community
based development strategy that focuses on building a open society and
encourages local innovation in moving away from top down development
models that disregard the needs of local people while propping up the
political legitimacy of Western as well as local elites.
Also key is the rise of clever appropriate technologies and approaches
that bring people together in a multisectorial approach to development.
For example, considering a lack of adequate food supply as a key health
issue in Africa, we might consider the development of new Integrated
Farming/sustainable agriculture systems that: requires little land; is
highly productive; requires minimal inputs (mechanization, fertilizer and
pesticides); and regenerates the soil. Today the small farmer dominated
agricultural system in Africa is dependent on western agricultural
development model that benefits the western agribusiness industries more
than the people in Africa and this is the root of Africa's ills. And it
is not just the corporations selling this corrupt system but it is
western governments, academia and even most of the mainline NGO community.
And I think the reasons for this are obvious - everyone (the established
players) gets a piece of the development action.
Because most African societies are still agricultural and rural based,
we need to look at this issue deeply. Any health care solution in
Africa is not sustainable, if there is no sustainable economy for the
grassroots. And most importantly we need to provide systems for providing
healthy food for local people that does not degrade the environment to
complement any serious approach to the many health issues discussed here.
My suggestion is that the West needs to re-evaluate its role in
creating the structural deficiencies in Africa and other developing regions
and to see the key role its big business sectors play in this. If the
West is going to claim to help Africa with its situation, we need to be
serious about it and not actually do more harm than good, perpetuating
our dysfunctional role in exacerbating Africa's problem that began with
colonialism.
For example something is wrong with a system that exports coffee,
fruits and other tropical products desired by temperate affluent regions of
the world, while the people in these regions working the fields and
playing other supportive roles in sustaining this infrastructure do not
themselves have enough food to eat. We are all complicit in this
dysfunctional system and we need to take responsibility for our complicity by
doing more to support an alternative development model that promotes
sustainable agricultural solutions that focus on local needs first.
The prices of desirable commodities produced in emerging markets would
be based on a global tax as part of the WTO regime to ensure the cost
of shipping these products to western markets:
1. Credible scientific evidence that fossil fuels contribute to global
warming
2. Impact of primarily western owned plantations in terms of degrading
the soil
3. Removal of biomass from tropical regions that ends up perversely in
landfills in affluent nations and finally the reality.
4. Exploitation of the workers
5. Consideration of the fact that precious lands are being used to
export foods in regions of the world where large sections of the local
populations do not have their caloric and nutritional needs met.
The proceeds of this tax would go towards the funding of a
comprehensive sustainable development plan that would ensure that local farmers
promoting more sustainable agricultural practices could sustain themselves
and that their production if necessary would in effect be subsidized so
that more local people could afford to buy their products. This would
have the effect of inducing more balanced agricultural development
strategies so that the need to create foreign exchange through the export of
commodities was balanced with the immediate needs of local people to
adequately provide food, shelter, clothing, health care clean drinking
water and proper sanitation to themselves and their families.
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Pre-Conference: Nigerian Delegates. - Posted By: Aare Kornar !
A lot of plan is underway by African Resource Contacts to ease the high rise of Visa permits. However, for those of us who may not apply for one reason or the other, concerned (YOUTHS )Nigerian Health Circle is calling for a pre-conference such that we may have a presentable paper at the Conference in Canada.
All intrested individuals should please forward a letter to akinbo@savechildrennow.org (cornerstone) or wayla_ngr@yahoo.com (Emma)to confirm attendance.
The Pre-conference arrangement table would be sent to all applicant on August 10th, 2006 by 12.00 noon.
We loo forward to your coming.
Akinbo A. A. Cornerstone.
Convener
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Make sure you check out the Youth Pavilion! - Posted By: Nichole Downer
I am really excited to invite you all to the many exciting activities taking place at the Youth Pavilion! The Youth Pavilion (YP) is a youth-focused space within the Global Village. It is a space to highlight and showcase youth achievements and allow for networking with youth and adult allies.
There is a variety of programming that will take place at the Youth Pavilion daily. With approximately 40 sessions planned for the YP throughout the conference I am sure that you will find many sessions that you are interested in attending. There are sessions running throughout the day, everyday from morning until 20:00. You won’t want to miss the daily youth rapporteur sessions from 18:30-19:00 at the pavilion! This is your opportunity to hear about some of the groundbreaking presentations at the conference from a youth perspective!
Some of the programming in the pavilion to look forward to includes: art and photo exhibits, street theatre, music, and poetry presentations, fashion shows, presentations of successful models (including economic development and sport), and various edutainment activities. Some of the content to be covered in the pavilion includes: stigma, harm reduction, meaningful youth involvement, human rights, access to treatment, culture, prevention and gender, just to name a few.
The Youth Pavilion is not just presentations. It will also include a youth media hub as well as a lounge for youth to relax or hold informal meetings. We hope that the YP is also a space where youth can rejuvenate and make lasting connections with other youth and adult allies.
So make sure you spend some time at the Youth Pavilion during the conference, and spread the word about this dynamic, youth focused space! Watch for updates to be posted on the youth website.
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GOVERNMENT PLEASES HELP NOW - Posted By: heartfeltservice
"We encourage governments around the world to consider eliminating
import tariffs and non-tariff barriers on medicines... as a measure to
reduce further the cost of healthcare for the poor," G8 leaders, meeting in
Saint Petersburg in Russia, said in a statement Sunday.
They highlighted the fact that infectious diseases remain the leading
cause of death in the world and said "vigorous" action to counter this
was essential to global development and the well-being of the world's
population.
"The situation is especially acute in least developed countries,
particularly in Africa where governments and their people face limited access
to prevention and essential healthcare information," the G8 leaders
said.
They said "immediate attention" was required on bird flu, which could
become a human pandemic, and called for "effective, coordinated and
comprehensive action" to combat all infectious diseases.
The leaders said they were determined to achieve "tangible progress" in
six general areas, including keeping earlier promises on countering
major infectious diseases, monitoring their spread and working on cures.
They said that confronting the HIV/AIDS epidemic had been a top G8
priority for years and promised to continue efforts to check its spread and
that of other diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria that cause
millions of preventable deaths each year.
The leaders noted that HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria continued to
have a particularly severe impact on Africa, "where these three deadly
diseases exist side-by-side with a plethora of other deadly, endemic
infections."
"We reaffirm our partnership with African nations and with the African
Union, and will continue to work with them... to improve health systems
overall and to fight infectious diseases," the G8 leaders said.
The Group of Eight (G8) comprises Britain, Canada, France, Germany,
Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States.
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MALARIA ISSUES WHO SUFFER MOST! - Posted By: heartfeltservice
In the world of malaria infection the children suffer most and it is making the generation to reduce because the government ,stakeholder,private bodies are not pay attendation to this issues.
I would like to follow up on a message that Chris White sent last
September about Mosquito/Malaria Control. Chris made the point that
interventions that are used in the United States are wrong for Africa ... but
in all honesty, I don't think he made a strong case for this.
The discussion had talked about the use of aerial spraying in the USA
in the aftermath of the Katrina hurricane ... and he correctly pointed
out that this was not spraying against malaria, but against various
other mosquito borne diseases (yellow fever, dengue and west nile virus).
Since malaria has not been a problem in the area since around 1950,
spraying against malaria is not done ... which seems to make sense! My
conclusion is that aerial spraying is a very appropriate and cost effective
way of delivering anti-mosquito pesticide, especially with modern
understanding of pesticide and the use of ultra low volume (ULV) technology.
I have made some cost estimates for aerial treatment and it is very low
cost per acre ... and depending on population density can be very low
cost per capita of human population.
Chris talks about the mosquito (specifically anopheles gambiae s.s.)
breeding in all sorts of small, transient rain-fed pools ... and how it
is unrealistic and uneconomic to expect that larvaciding can be
effective. I am not at all sure that Chris is right. From a practical
scientific point of view, larvaciding works ... though it is difficult to
organize over a big area. I don't think this problem is insurmountable,
though it must not be ignored. Arguably cleaning up the environment and
larvaciding is the best way to break the cycle of mosquito population
rebuilding. Building the Panama Canal 100 years ago was done in the face of
virulent malaria, in large part by cleaning up the environment where
the work was going on and where workers were living. Spatial information
seems to suggest that not all water has the same breeding performance.
I have not been able to find much cost and result information that
convinces me that insecticide treated bednets is the best way to go for
effective mosquito malaria control interventions. While an individual
seems to get less malaria when they use a bednet ... the cumulative
experience in the community does not seem to change very much. This may not be
the right conclusion, because the information available is not very
clear. Rather than having a focus on costs and results (as measured by
reduction in the prevalence of malaria in the community), much of the cost
performance information relates to merely the cost and the scale of
distribution of bednets into the community ... an interesting metric, but
not a metric that helps determine the effectiveness of bednets as an
anti-malaria intervention. I think it is fair to conclude that bednets on
their own do not make much of a difference, even when they are widely
distributed. I would love to know more about costs and reduction in
malaria parasite prevalence using the bednet approach.
There seems to be a lot of information that shows that interior
residual spraying (IRS) does have a significant impact on the prevalence of
malaria in the community ... and especially when DDT is used as the
pesticide. The cost of a large scale IRS program is substantial, but the
results seem to justify the expenditure, especially if DDT is permitted.
Sadly use of DDT in a country has the possibility of creating trade
issues with Europe, not so much because of prevailing legislation but
because of corporate environmental sensitivities and concern that there
might be adverse consumer impact.
The role of medical interventions is not insignificant. Remove the
parasite from the human host and malaria transmission will be reduced ...
though it is not easy to get the reduction in malaria transmission low
enough so that the parasite population gets reduced. It can be done ...
but it is not the norm for Africa at the moment.
Clearly resistance is an issue in any chemical intervention ... whether
against the mosquito or the malaria parasite. A modern management
information system for any intervention should take this into consideration
and collect appropriate data and use it to manage the interventions.
Lastly ... the information I have been able to collect seems to suggest
that a variety of interventions going on together and coordinated gives
the best results at least cost. A data driven program, including
spatial information about all the interventions and all the results can be
used to keep costs down and to deliver better than "average" results. But
in order for data to be useful, they must be organized as "management
information" for decision making and not merely to satisfy academic
criteria.
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Need Travel partner from Newyork to Toronto, Canada for AIDS2006 Conference. - Posted By: Fat Franklin
A female AIDS2006 conference participants seeks a nice and friendly female travel mate from Newyork to Toronto for the AIDS2006 conference. This will save costs as flight fares and accommodation will be minimal for both females.
Any nice and friendly female should send email to: desreedetermined@yahoo.co.uk
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 "A Story to Tell:" An Initiative for Youth at AIDS 2006 - Posted By: Gina McKay
“A Story to Tell” is an initiative that provides a voice to youth around the
world who are affected by HIV and AIDS by documenting its impact through
their eyes. Its aim is to give youth the opportunity to promote the issues
surrounding HIV/AIDS to the rest of the world.
What are we looking for?
Seven youth delegates who are attending the XVI International AIDS
Conference that are willing to commit a minimum of 2 hours per month, for
one year.
What’s in it for you?
You will learn how to be a field journalist during the 2006 AIDS Conference
and work with a great international team that will provide feedback on each
of your stories throughout the year. The stories will be featured as videos
on a website along with educational curriculum for students and educators to
be used in numerous countries.
What is the selection criteria?
- Affiliation with a UNESCO school and / or an international
non-governmental organization
- A minimum of English or French as a second language
-Established involvement in local, regional, or national HIV-AIDS related
issues.
How to apply?
Send an email with your contact information and a 200-word description
explaining what skills or assets you could bring to this project. No
previous experience is required. Candidates will be selected and contacted
over the next few weeks.
Please note: Candidates will not receive funding or scholarships.
For more information contact:
Office of Research Promotion & Outreach
National Microbiology Laboratory
Public Health Agency of Canada
1015 Arlington Street, Suite T2410
Winnipeg, Canada
R3E 3R2
Email: info@nml.ca
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Women's & Girls' Rally & March at AIDS 2006 - Posted By: Gina McKay
Time To Deliver -- AIDS Action Now for Women and Girls!
WOMEN'S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS!
Join us as we demonstrate support, raise awareness and demand action on issues related to women and girls in the HIV/AIDS pandemic! Everyone is welcome, including men, boys and seniors.
Who will be speaking & empowering us all:
Mary Robinson
President, Realizing Rights
Stephen Lewis
UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa
and
Dr. Helene Gayle
President, International AIDS Society
...join an exciting line-up of activists from around the globe including...
Louise Binder
Co-Founder, Blueprint for Action on Women and
Girls and HIV/AIDS
Gracia Violeta Ross Quiroga
National Chair, Bolivian Network of People Living
with HIV/AIDS
Amaranta Gomez
Oaxaca, Mexico
Iryna Borushek
Founder, All-Ukrainian Network for PLWHAs
Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro
Secretary General, World YWCA
Kecia Larkin
Board Member, Red Road HIV/AIDS Network
Claire Thiboutot
Director, Stella l'amie de Maimie
Lina Chirimanzi
Zimbabwe
Maire Bopp
Founder, Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation
Prisoners' HIV/AIDS Support Action Network
Posawawajek Aboriginal Women Drummers & Singers
(all speakers/performers subject to change)
WHEN Monday, August 14, 2006
Rally starts at 7:00 am
March starts at 7:50 am
WHERE Rally held at Metro Hall Square (King Street West between John and Simcoe Streets)
MORE Bring your own banner!
The first 1500 people will receive a free t-shirt!
***Attention Registered Delegates*** Join us immediately after the march in the plenary hall
to hear Louise Binder address issues concerning women and girls.
RSVP Please click here to let us know you can attend:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=766732355748
INFO Leah Stephenson at leah@ctac.ca or +1-416-422-0114 or http://ctac.ca/en/rally
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THE WORLD OF POVERTY ,YOUNG PEOPLE,CHILDREN AND GIRLS/WOMEN SUFFER MOST - Posted By: heartfeltservice
The first question is who will save the world from this?
We are losing the fight against poverty. The rich are getting richer while the poor are
getting poorer. Today over 121 million children do not go to school and over 1 billion
people are living on less than $1/day. People are being denied basic human rights - food,
medicine and education.
Every national delegation came to this J8 Summit very well prepared, ready to share their
opinions and ideas with hopes that others would listen. The team that I belong to, "Passion
for Peace" from Canada, came especially prepared for the education issue. We have many
ideas and potentially useful solutions that could help win the fight against poverty.
We, the Canadian delegation, have a plan to give all children access to the future they
deserve by generating much needed funds. We are proposing that the G8 leaders launch a
strategy we are calling the Global Industry Olympics (GIO). GIO is an unprecedented, global
effort focused on engaging businesses all over the world to get the Olympic spirit by
giving a percentage of every sale to a GIO fund which will feed the poor, heal the sick,
provide education to children and drive sustainable economic development. GIO is about
creating a global passion for peace where businesses sign-up to be "Partners of Peace"
giving a little bit of their revenue to help people who are suffering.
Imagine a future where the classroom has no walls and students can collaborate with
students from anywhere in the world on a daily basis. The Global Campaign for Education
(GCE), an international coalition of charities and teacher unions, has estimated that to
provide universal access to primary education globally we need an additional 15 million
teachers. Well imagine a teacher from the developed world helping students in the
developing world. We call this "Learning Without Borders". We are urging G8 leaders to
embrace our vision of "Learning Without Borders", which entails working towards global
standards in education which will raise the bar for all, and making investments in ICT
(information communications technology) which will result in world class digital solutions
which will engage and connect students and teachers all over the world.
We live in a world gripped by war. Peace begins with education. We need a curriculum that
encompasses learning about peace. Peace education must be focused on giving all young
people the knowledge and skills to problem solve, to build cooperation, to formulate win-
win solutions for mutual gain, to forgive one another and to rebuild relationships. We are
urging G8 leaders to make the development and delivery of a global peace curriculum a
priority. Learning how to cooperate and be peaceful is as important as reading, writing,
math and science.
We need to win the fight which today prevents children from going to school and from
accessing the basic nutrition and healthcare they need. Our goal at the J8 Summit is to be
a voice for the voiceless, bringing new hope to end their suffering.
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YOUNG LEADERS SEEN AS A RESOURCE FOR PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS, GENDER EQUALITY - Posted By: Alexander
Young leaders have been encouraged to use their power as peer educators
to help the voiceless and the most marginalized worldwide by Andres
Guerrrero, Programme Officer of UNICEF, at the YMCA World Youth Council in
Durban, South Africa. Speaking to more than 200
delegates from 80 countries, Guerrrero, who is based in Geneva, outlined
the recent strategic partnership between UNICEF and the YMCA to promote
youth leadership and participation in decision-making at all levels.
Three key priority areas have been identified - combating HIV/AIDS,
promoting basic education and gender equality, and promoting the
protection of children, especially the most vulnerable.
In terms of the partnership agreement, young people are seen as
resources for communities and skills development has been identified for
youth to be active participants to bring about change at a local level.
"In terms of combating HIV/AIDS, we are developing the capacity of
youth to work in partnership with adult leaders and governments to
promote primary prevention. "This involves training on behaviour-change
communications programmes with a life-skills focus which are age-relevant
and gender-sensitive.
"It also includes training to advocate for the rights of people
living with HIV/AIDS for interventions to counteract stigma and
discrimination, and for access for antiretroviral treatment, especially for
children and young people as they are typically excluded from ARV treatment."
Guerrrero encouraged young YMCA delegates to take the lead in
identifying orphans and vulnerable children in their local communities and to
bring their needs to the attention of local authorities to ensure these
children are integrated into their communities to receive essential
care and service.
"To tackle basic education and gender equality, UNICEF and YMCA are
promoting improved community and family care practices to assist
children to be ready to start primary school on time, especially marginalized
children and indigenous peoples.
"We also encourage you as young leaders to use your large worldwide
YMCA network to collaborate with the United Nations Girls Education
initiative to promote social mobilisation and acceleration campaigns aimed
at improving access to and completion of primary school."
Another area involves the promoting of safe, effective, child-centred
and gender-sensitive education in formal and non-formal settings to
foster effective development and participation of children and young
people and to contribute to gender equality in and through education.
"Concerning promoting the protection of children from violence,
exploitation and abuse, UNICEF and YMCA will use the UN Study on Violence
against Children as a framework to promote inter-generational dialogue on
children's rights, such as violence in families, schools, communities,
institutions and regarding children in conflict with the law.
After the study is tabled in the UN General Assembly around October
this year, the two world organisations will promote opportunities for
young people and children to be involved in its implementation,
monitoring and evaluation.
"We urge youth in the YMCA to be actively involved in producing
educational materials on the human rights dimension of gender inequality to
empower girls and young women to assume their rightful positions in
society and to end violence against women."
Through exposing delegates to each others experiences of leadership,
the three-day World Youth Council aimed to equip these young delegates
to go back to their local YMCAs around the world to transform the
social and economic realities in their communities in innovative and
community-driven ways.
These younger leaders joined another 600 delegates at the World
Council of YMCAs which runs from 10 - 15 July at Durban's Amphitheatre,
South Africa.
It was hoped that after their experiences at the Youth Council, it
would be the younger leaders whose voice is heard the loudest, driving
the debates and the agenda at the World Council, which decides policy for
the YMCA movement for the forthcoming four years.
The YMCA is the world's largest social movement with 45 million
members in 124 countries.
With over 14 000 local YMCAs, this voluntary Christian movement of
women and men has a special emphasis on youth development. YMCAs work for
social justice for all people, irrespective of religion, race, gender
or cultural background
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Namibiato host HIV/Aids Conference for people living with HIV/AIDS Next Month - Posted By: Alexander
Second conference in Namibia for 'People Living with HIV/AIDS', to be
held in the Oshana Region, is expected to take place in August this
year. The conference aims at bringing together People Living with HIV/AIDS
(PLWA) in the Oshana, Oshikoto, Ohangwena and Omusati regions and will
enable participants to share information and challenges facing them.
According to Yelula Project Officer Martha Amupolo the focus of the
conference will encompass reproductive health, anti-retroviral
treatment, prolonging the lives of those living with the disease and
HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination.
It will also provide PLWA the opportunity to interact extensively
with each other, and provide knowledge of spiritual, physical,
socio-economic and medical implications of the AIDS pandemic.
Various foreign AIDS activists who are living with the disease are
expected to attend the conference.Said Amupolo: "We have invited AIDS
activists from South Africa and Europe, most of them living with the
disease, to attend the conference to take place from 22 until 24 August this
year."
It will be the second conference for People Living with HIV/AIDS,
after the Catholic Aids Action (CAA) held the first one in Windhoek in
1998.
The Yelula Project is responsible for organizing the conference in
conjunction with civil society at grassroots level and wants to enhance
organisational and leadership capacity in response to the HIV/AIDS
pandemic.
The project also targets people living with HIV and AIDS, and
attempts to elicit and strengthen community responses to voluntary counselling
and testing, treatment, orphans and vulnerable children.
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YOUNG PEOPLE FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY - Posted By: heartfeltservice
Which person do you think could do the most to help end world poverty? Would this person be inspirational, like Mandela? An influential character, like Oprah Winfrey? A business figure, like Bill Gates? It could be absolutely anyone in the world.
Oxfam UK's 'I'm In' People's Poll invites people joining the campaign to identify who they think could make the biggest difference to end global poverty and suffering. It could be a political figure, a high-profile celebrity, a business leader - anyone who can make a difference.
Adrian Lovett, Campaigns Director at Oxfam says: "Everyone has a view about who could change the world. The I'm In People's Poll is the nation's chance to select who they think could do the most to end poverty and suffering. It could be a global figure like Bill Gates, Nelson Mandela, Bono or Oprah - or someone much closer to home. We want people to join us and say 'I'm in' - and tell us who they most want to be 'in with' to have the best chance of ending poverty."
Oxfam expect thousands of people to nominate either by texting, going online or through the Oxfam shops, ahead of the polls launch The Archbishop Desmond Tutu nominates George Bush, he explains;
"It strikes me that the one person who can overcome global poverty is George Bush. Stop the escalation of armaments and weapons and put the money into developing people. It is the arms manufacturers who control the national budgets of almost every country. Re-deploy those billions and
the world will be transformed."
The 'I'm In' campaign aims to get one million people to pledge their support to Oxfam over one hundred days - either by donating, volunteering or campaigning for change.
'I'm in' builds on the legacy of 2005, which saw record public support for the tsunami aid effort, with eight million people wearing white bands in support of the Make Poverty History campaign, and a quarter of a million people taking to the streets of Edinburgh to march for justice around the
time of the G8 summit.
People signing up to the campaign will be invited to vote in the I'm In People's Poll. Oxfam will collect votes and publish the results this Spring. Individuals with the most votes will be challenged to help rid
the world of poverty and injustice.
Votes can be cast online or by text from today. The closing date for nominations is March 25th 2006.
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YOUTH IN G8 SUMMIT,OUR VOICE SHOULD OUT NOW! - Posted By: heartfeltservice
This might be interesting for the Junior 8 group:
UNICEF youth spokesperson says the world is failing children in Darfur
By Rachel Bonham Carter
NEW YORK, USA, 30 June 2006 - UNICEF Spokesperson for Youth Ronan Farrow has returned from a trip to the Darfur region of Sudan saddened by the changes since his last visit in 2004 but motivated to remind young people that they can make a difference.
"Eighteen months ago we saw a very makeshift emergency situation, people sheltering under tarpaulins by the hundreds of thousands in these camps," says Ronan. "Now there's a disturbing sense of permanence. The structures are brick and clay. The sad part is that people are now living in just as much danger. Women who walk just five minutes out of the camp are still attacked."
Ronan, 18, travelled to Darfur earlier this month with his mother, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow, to highlight the ongoing need to help children caught up in the violence there.
"Young people have really been at the centre of this conflict," he observes. "Children have really been hit harder than anyone else. The camps are 90 per cent women and children. That's a population of 2 million people now."
'Compelled to do something'
In Darfur, Ronan met with children whose lives have been turned upside down, including one 17-year-old boy who has been fighting with the Sudanese Liberation Army rebel forces since he was 13.
"He was awakened one morning four years ago by the sound of gunshots," says Ronan. "The Janjaweed swept through his village on horseback and camel. They slaughtered everyone, raped women, and his entire family was killed. He survived only by hiding among the corpses of his relatives. After it was all over, he walked for seven hours across the desert and the first people he encountered were these rebel fighters. He said he was eager to take up arms."
The fact that children have been forced to take up arms, becoming at once victims and a part of the problem, is a "vivid illustration of the failure of the international community," notes the UNICEF spokesperson.
"It's difficult, after meeting people of my own age and looking into their eyes and hearing their stories, not to feel compelled to do something," he adds. "And I've found that when I tell people these stories, they have the same reaction. They want to do something."
Aid workers as role models
Ronan continues: "People really can help. I've seen examples of really fun things like dance competitions for Darfur, or people getting their church groups or their schools together to send money. UNICEF [in Sudan] is only 20 per cent funded at the moment, so things like that can make all the difference right now.
"One thing people can do is push their leaders in Congress to seek political solutions. The other is, of course, to support the massive humanitarian effort. I know firsthand from being there that UNICEF is doing extraordinary work, as are the other aid organizations.
"My role models would be the aid workers I've met working out in the field, heroically struggling to keep people alive. Nothing would make me more proud than to end up spending my life in a conflict-afflicted region trying to help people in whatever small way I can."
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SCHOLARSHIP AND EMBASSY - Posted By: heartfeltservice
Well, it is true that most people have been given scholarship to attend the conference but what of if the embassy do not give tem visa .It is really wonderful have youth people that i have the fight against HIV/AIDS coming together with different ideas to share there own point of view about the issues and gain mor experience from the skill workshop that we take place in the conference
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YOUTH CAMP IN NIGERIA - Posted By: heartfeltservice
2nd Annual Youth Leadership
Training Camp Exercise
3rd – 6th August 2006
Lagos – Nigeria
Empowering the African Youth for the Challenges of tomorrow.
Dear Friend,
Invitation to participate at the 2nd Annual Youth Leadership Training Camp Exercise tagged “Empowering the African Youth for the Challenges of Tomorrow”
The challenges being faced by the African Youth today is better imagined than witnessed. A lot of problems have been encountered while trying to better the lots of the youths in Africa.
However, a lot of measures still need to be put in place to work towards a sustainable development for the benefit of the Youth. It is high time we take our destiny in our own hands and chart a new way forward.
In view of this, Movement for the Protection of African Child {MOPOTAC} concerned for the welfare, Education and protection of the African Child and Young persons, in conjunction with Vision Outreach and Peak Line Sports her brand Organisations for a wider coverage, advocacy and better mobilization of the youths, is coming up with this Camp Exercise.
Aim:
o To proffer workable solutions to the seemingly insurmountable problems facing young persons in Africa
o To create an enabling environment, for networking among youth-led and youth-focused Organisations.
Activities
Workshops Lectures Interactive Sessions
Sports Camp Fire Night Social Night
Picnic Evening Walk and lots more
o Campers are expected to come along with their beddings, Sports wares, cutleries and bathing materials.
Facilitators
Renowned speakers from all spheres of life will be on hand to deliver talks and papers.
Arrival / registration 10:00am – 8:00pm on Thursday 3rd August 2006
There are limited spaces for only 100 campers, so avail yourself and process your registration on time to avoid non-participation at this life changing event.
Yours truly,
Barrister Victor C. Oti McAnthony A. Anaelechukwu
Executive Director, MOPOTAC Organising Committee Chairman
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AIDS ISSUES OF YOUNG PEOPLE - Posted By: heartfeltservice
More than two crore volunteers will travel to different parts of the
country to spread AIDS awareness as part of the Youth Unite for Victory
on AIDS (YUVA), a nationwide programme launched here on Tuesday.
Inaugurated by Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, the programme
will be conducted by various youth organisations under the aegis of the
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
More than two crore and 20 lakh volunteers from seven youth
organisations will travel to different corners of the country in buses called
`Youth
Caravan' to spread awareness about the disease.
"Awareness and information are the keys to stopping the spread of AIDS.
I am sure the campaign will make people aware about how to prevent the
disease," Shekhawat said.
"If all sections of the society can be reached by YUVA, it will surely
make a massive difference," he said.
In the first leg of the campaign, a two-day conference began here on
Tuesday to discuss the implementation plan and strategy of YUVA.
The programme will be launched at the state, district and panchayat
levels in the second phase starting on August nine.
"Though we have more HIV infected patients than any other country,
still 99 per cent of Indians are HIV free. This gives us hope about the
future,"
Union Youth Affairs, Sports and Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar
Aiyar said.
An interactive series of quiz shows on AIDS, which will be shown on
television, along with internet and print versions, has also been started
as a part of the programme.
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Depression and CD4 Cell Count Among Persons with HIV Infection in EAstern Nigeria. - Posted By: Alexander
Despite the importance of mental illness and the high prevalence of HIV in Africa, few studies have documented depressive symptoms among HIV-infected persons in Africa. We assessed factors associated with depression among HIV-infected adults undergoing anti-retroviral eligibility screening in Eastern Nigeria. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Univariate and multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify socio-demographic characteristics and disease-related factors associated with depression. Among 1017 HIV-infected participants assessed for depression, 47% (476/1017) reported depressive symptoms (CES-D >/= 23). Adjusting for age, gender, education, and source of income, patients with CD4 counts <50 cells/mul were more likely to be depressed (odds ratio 2.34, 95% confidence interval, 1.39-3.93, P = 0.001). Women, participants >50 years, and those without an income source were more likely to be depressed. Depression was common among HIV-infected persons in rural area in eastern Nigeria and was associated with low CD4 cell counts. Appropriate screening and treatment for depression should be considered for comprehensive HIV care.
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International Conferences Committment and Country level Prevention Programming for Youths - Posted By: Etim Emmanuel
With more than decade of consistent visibility at international inter-governmental and civil society conferences, one evident challenge has been the country level interpretation and application for action. My two-times role as a youth adviser o the uNFPA Executive Directors (Nafis Sadik, 1998) and Thoraya Obaid, 2004) echoed at the highest level the need to remember hat without national prioriteis and anslation these committments remain the instruments of "epistemos".
To control the future of the epidemic, young people from the Toronto conference , we need to look beyond the next conference but to start identifyng strong linkages o our national policy financing and implementaion priorities and transmogrigy youth indexes of the HIV/AIDS response to prevalence reduction, market transfer and growth, et cetera...i will go at this point to my thinking closet!
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Legislation needed to deal with HIV/AIDS stigma - Posted By: Alexander
There is a need for legislation to address the stigma and discrimination often directed towards persons who have HIV/AIDS.
The lack of a wide-ranging legislative framework that speaks to how we as a country deal with stigma and discrimination in relation to HIV/AIDS, will present the greatest challenge to the future fight against the disease.
The stigma and discrimination have always been there, not only with HIV and AIDS, but they pose a big problem in terms of HIV and AIDS, because they stop people from getting tested and knowing their status. We want people to come forward, we want people to disclose their status and feel comfortable. A legal and policy framework where persons at the end of the day can have some sort of recourse and not only talk is necessary.
Such a framework, , would help the general public to respect persons living with HIV and AIDS, as well as give those persons the assurance that if they are discriminated against, whether it is with regards to employment, housing or even education that the offender could face some penalty.
In addition, if there is to be a widespread reduction in the stigma associated with the disease, the treatment programmed needs to be decentralized.
There is one centralized area for treatment and a stigma is attached to that too; so if we can decentralize that, where they can go to any private practitioner to obtain treatment, that would be ideal. What would happen is no one would be able to tell anymore who has HIV/AIDS.
I am hoping that we would decentralize that eventually, and then allow that gateway for people to feel comfortable in terms of accessing the service, as well as promoting more voluntary counseling and testing.
To reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS, the public has to be educated and not just bombarded with facts. Hearing and knowing is one thing, but feeling it is something else. So we have to promote a message that speaks directly to the heart about stigma and discrimination,
THINK ABOUT THAT AT TORONTO
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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The Nigerain Youth Leaders Summit: - Posted By: Aare Kornar !
Pre-Conference in Lagos.
The preconference held on June 16th, 2006 at the PPFN House, Palmgrove. Wlth Emanuel Etim has the moderator on the issue of Health policy. It was to develop a frame work for the Conference coming up in Enugu in July, 2006.
They were 8-points to view on the agenda list and renumerate with the past for the future thru the present. After hours of deliberation, we came up with 15 recomendations which we believe could make an effective change.
I met above twent-four youths who devoted time to ensure that the Heath Sector improves. This is a convincing figure. I look forward to meeting you again, probably not at the summit.
You are true leaders.
Akinbo A. A. Cornerstone,
Africa, Co-Director.
akinbo@savechildrennow.org
www.savechildrennow.org
08056681661,08038604060,08024409100.
Nota Bene.
I believe a complete report would be sent round by DPi soon. The pictures are a litle dark. Will adjust and send asap.
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CURE TO HIV/AIDS.. - Posted By: Aare Kornar !
Nota Bene:
A microorganism smaller than a bacteria, which cannot grow or reproduce apart from a living cell. A virus invades living cells and uses their chemical machinery to keep itself alive and to replicate itself. It may reproduce with fidelity or with errors (mutations)-this ability to mutate is responsible for the ability of some viruses to change slightly in each infected person, making treatment more difficult.
Viruses cause many common human infections, and are also responsible for a bevy of rare diseases. Examples of viral illnesses range from the common cold, which is usually caused by one of the rhinoviruses, to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Viruses may contain either DNA or RNA as their genetic material. Herpes simplex virus and the hepatitis- B virus are DNA viruses. RNA viruses have an enzyme called reverse transcriptase that permits the usual sequence of DNA-to-RNA to be reversed so the virus can make a DNA version of itself. RNA viruses include HIV and the hepatitis C virus.
Researchers have grouped viruses together into several major families, based on their shape, behavior, and other characteristics. These include the herpesviruses, adenoviruses, papovaviruses (papilloma viruses), hepadnaviruses, poxviruses, and parvoviruses among the DNA viruses. On the RNA virus side, major families include the picornaviruses (including the rhinoviruses), calciviruses, paramyxoviruses, orthomyxoviruses, rhabdoviruses, filoviruses, bornaviruses, and retroviruses. There are dozens of smaller virus families within these major classifications. Many viruses are host-specific, causing disease in humans or specific animals only.
The Dutch microbiologist Martinus Beijerinck (1851-1931) was the first person to use the term "virus" for the invisible disease-causing material that he showed to be self-replicating.
My Suggestion:
I was able to read some article on the making of bio weapons. I cam to a logical conclusion. This is not only a dream come true, but a fact.
If the Virus concerning HIV is able to sustain itself on the living cell in our body, another virus can be created to get its sustatinace from feeding onthe HIV Virus, and hibanate in the absence of it withouth concerning harm to the other cell. Thus a parasite feeding on another parasite in the body.
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Invitation to become International Civil Society Partner - Posted By: Alexander
Invitation to become International Civil Society Partner for the International AIDS Conference 2008 in Mexico City.
During 2005, the International AIDS Society undertook a series of consultations regarding the International AIDS Conference, called “Future Directions”. One outcome of that process is that the governance of the conference should be more inclusive and give opportunities for different organizations to play a role on the Conference Coordinating Committee (for the whole report, see the IAS website www.iasociety.org.
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youth force is important - Posted By: heartfeltservice
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AIDS 2006 Community Information Session - Toronto - Posted By: Aurora Herrera
Like any journalist would do, I went to the Information Session to observe and drink in the information about the XVI International AIDS Conference. “A routine report”, I remember thinking. Well it was not. I left the information session entirely uplifted and inspired. I believe that this was due to a large extent to an amazing young person I met – Henry Luyombya. (At this point I would like to ask all readers to excuse any faulty grammar. I am too excited!!!) I was in absolute awe while I was interviewing him. Yes I managed to grab him during the break for an interview. Henry is from Uganda and he is HIV positive, He has lost a father, brother and aunt to the virus. He has since been advocating for the youth in his community to have better access to treatment and prevention resources. He has been through hell but keeps fighting. Tears come to my eyes as I write this. His courage and strength has truly touched me. I do not believe that I have ever grown to respect someone so much in such a short period of time.
Sorry for all the emotion guys. I bet if you meet him you will feel the same way. Luckily you may. He is one of our youth spokespersons for the conference. Therefore once he is officially identified, you can find him and make the most of your time with him. You will get inspired, want to be informed and get involved.
By the way the Information Session was great. Thanks to Paul Adomako, Alex McClelland and the rest of the team at the local host it was everything you need to know about the conference.
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Yoth Control the future of the epidemic - Posted By: Etim Emmanuel
In my quiet reminesence, i brooded over my invitation to Co-Chair a Youth Abstract oral session of 'the future of the epidemic' and my work on the human agency and pshchology of youth power to halt the further spread of HIV, launch a most needed prevalence reverse and lighten visionary on the "End of AIDS".
Is it fashionable to be; in the wave of youth leadership and even where so, what are the oppotunities?
In 2004, the UNFPA/UNECA/AU High level Ministerial and Experts Meeting on the 10th Anniversary of the ICPD POA in Dakar Sennegal included youths on most national delegation. As one of the youth member of national delegations of experts and as a member of the World Leaders Supporting the ICPS POA view at http://www.icpdleaderstatement.net we made significant improvement of the implementation arrangement for country level action and created financing opportunities in the inicators set fo the next ten years linking them tot he MDGs and a youth framework for action.
I am thus optimistic that the sesson will go beyond the issues of representation to transmogrifying youth concerns into efficiency terms that policy makers an political leaders understand...., i am still thinking!
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 UNGASS Youth Summit Day1 - Posted By: Mwansa Njelesani
Hi Everyone,
I'm currently attending the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on AIDS (UNGASS) 5 year Review (from May 31 - June 2), and UNGASS Youth Summit (May 29 - 30). The Youth Summit is being organized by the Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GYCA), Advocates for Youth and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). (There are too many acronyms!)
We hope to bring back lessons from the summit, to feed into youth activities for the upcoming conference in Toronto. It has been really amazing as there are over 65 youth from more than 25 countries attending the summit alone!
We had the opportunity to ask Dr. Peter Piot (Executive Director of UNAIDS) a lot of different questions and get up-to-date information on UNAIDS work around young people and HIV/AIDS; and the challenges of ensuring meaningful youth participation within HIV programming. As one participant put it, it's important to move away from having youth as merely 'accessories' or 'tokens' in programmes, but actually give the technical capacity to participate.
For me, a really important component of the day, was a presentation on evidence-based HIV prevention Interventions. (This will be part of a publication that will be launched in Toronto jointly by UNICEF, WHO and other organizations). I thought that this is particularly important as we are moving from simply documenting 'best practices' to actually stating what works, and can potentially be scaled up and have a more sustainable impact on prevention models
With half of all new infections occurring among young people and around 6,000 young people newly infected with HIV/AIDS - It is certainly time to act!
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The Global Fund and African Youth - Posted By: Etim Emmanuel
Just loking into the future of the response to HIV/AIDS is impact on young people and the cacity of Afica to meet the targets and goals of the UNGASS and MDGs;......There is need to expand the influnce of our ongoing campaign for a youth trust in the Global fund as an affirmative action to youth-led implementation of projects......there in lies a proiactive move to address the challenges of the future today!
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AIDS 2006 Youth Site - Posted By: Alex McClelland
I am very happy to welcome everyone to the AIDS 2006 youth site! This is the first time the International AIDS Conference has had a youth specific web component and our team is very excited about it! TakingITGlobal has been working very hard to get everything up and running so many thanks to their hard-working team. Also, this site would not have happened without the generous support of the MAC AIDS Fund.
Over one hundred youth and adult-allies have been planning youth activities for AIDS 2006 this August. The Youth Programme and YouthForce have been working hard to ensure that this Conference is a landmark in terms of meaningful youth participation and this site will help us to achieve our goals. Use this site to share information, see who is coming to the conference from different regions of the world and connect with each other.
In the coming weeks this site will be a place to get:
-Up-to date information on all youth-related events and sessions
-Information on how to participate in the Toronto YouthForce advocacy campaign
-Youth Pre-Conference updates
-Daily updates on youth-focused sessions and Youth Rapporteur summaries
-Youth focused media articles
-Information on youth-led prevention, care, and awareness initiatives showcased at the Youth Pavilion
-And much more!
Enjoy checking it out and let us know what you think: youth@aids2006.org
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 AIDS 2006 Conference Youth Site Launch! - Posted By: Michael Furdyk
I'm excited about the AIDS conference coming to Toronto this summer - tens of thousands of delegates and many youth from around the world meeting to work towards addressing the spread of and issues surrounding HIV/AIDS.
As a member of the Toronto Youth Force (a coalition of youth groups supporting youth activities at the summit), we have been hard at work building the Youth web site for the summit, which launches this week in English, and soon after in Spanish and French. You can have a sneak peek here - and let me know what you think. When complete, it will fully integrate with the TIG Events system for blogs, photos, attendee list, and much more!
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