INVITATION  AIDS ASIA e FORUM.

Hi,

If you are already a member of this FOURM please forward this message to your
colleagues who may find this FORUM useful.

[AIDS ASIA eFORUM] is an e- forum committed to the development of an Asian
perspective on AIDS prevention and care issues. HIV/AIDS does not recognize
national boundaries. As Asia- pacific countries are increasingly interconnected
through migration and trade, it is imperative to generate a regional perspective
on HIV/AIDS related issues.

A forum for critical analysis of issues, events and programs, which has
implications on, our ability to address HIV/AIDS prevention and care issues
across the region. More than 7,600 subscribers are using this FORUM.

Strategic HIV information and communication support to promote the capacity of
Asian leaders, activists and people living with HIV/AIDS, to facilitate their
engagement and networking, to highlight their experiences and the solutions they
are offering to address HIV/AIDS issues in this region.

A cross cultural discourse on issues and concerns of Asia- Pacific countries
(regions): Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China,
East Timor, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Marshall
Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, North Korea,
Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon
Islands, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and
Viet Nam will be presented and promoted on this forum.

Please review the archived messages on the following url

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AIDS_ASIA/

Dr. Joe Thomas
Editor
AIDS ASIA e FORUM
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AIDS_ASIA/

DEADLY DENIAL Confronting AIDS in Asia
By Ban Ki-moon

As a Korean, and the first UN Secretary-General from Asia in more
than 30 years, it's no surprise that I often speak of my home
continent as a model for economic development. Yet when it comes to
the AIDS epidemic, I am more disheartened than proud.

Across Asia, AIDS remains the most likely cause of death of people in
their most productive years. At the rate we are going, the current 5
million Asians infected with HIV will grow to 13 million by 2020.
Meanwhile the death toll mounts, with some 440,000 people succumbing
to AIDS each year.

Asia's flourishing economic prosperity does not help groups that are
most vulnerable to the disease. People living with HIV—including many
in low-risk groups—are denied their basic right to health.

This is deplorable, considering how little is required to contain the
epidemic and help those in need. A new UN-supported
survey, "Redefining AIDS in Asia: Crafting an effective response,"
finds that annual investment of just thirty cents per capita can
reverse the epidemic through prevention. That would translate into
saving the lives of more than 200,000 people each year.

I know my continent has the resources, the technology and the ability
to undertake this ambitious and life-saving mission. Asia's fast-
growing economies have emancipated millions of poor people. Most
countries on the continent are on track to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals, our common vision for building a better world in
the 21st century.

But if we fail to act, we could threaten the very prosperity that
places Asia in a position to respond effectively now. We are in
danger of spinning into a vicious circle where the AIDS epidemic
grows so serious as to undermine economic growth and social
resilience, leading to more and more infections at ever greater cost.

Experience shows Asia's ability to act in the face of grave threats.
We saw this in the response to SARS five years ago. Beyond the
immeasurable good of saving lives, action will bring a tangible
economic boost. For every dollar we spend on preventing HIV today,
the report notes, we will save eight dollars on treatment in the
future.

Our response to AIDS is not only about money. It is, above all, about
people. The stigma associated with AIDS can be worse than the
disease – robbing people of access to basic human rights and health
care, preventing them from living a dignified life, and deterring
them from getting tested for HIV.

Some of my most inspiring experiences as Secretary-General have been
my meetings with UN+, the group of our staff members living with HIV.
Their courage and expertise have given me new and invaluable insights
into the epidemic. Hearing from these people, who speak with such
directness about their lives, I felt ashamed of the discrimination
that people living with HIV often face around the world, and perhaps
especially in Asia. Painful as these lessons may be, I value them and
intend, on my next visit, to visit a facility or organization
addressing the needs of those living with HIV and AIDS.

Listening is important. But beyond that we must engage with people
living with HIV as we develop policies and carry out programmes to
address the epidemic.

Women and girls are the main caregivers – and they are also
disproportionately vulnerable to HIV infection. They need special
attention. We must tackle social norms that prevent women from
protecting themselves, including through better legislation, or
better enforcement of existing laws.

And we must guard against legislation that blocks universal access by
criminalizing the lifestyles of vulnerable groups. We have to find
ways to reach out to sex workers, men who have sex with men and drug
users, ensuring that they have what they need to protect themselves.

It starts with Asian Governments showing leadership to invest more
substantially in the fight against AIDS and move resolutely to stamp
out stigma and discrimination.

This June, the UN General Assembly will hold a high-level meeting
offering an opportunity to take stock and advance the global response
to AIDS. I personally will do all I can – as a Secretary-General and
an Asian – to be at the vanguard of this effort. I look to the
leaders of Asia to do the same.

The writer is Secretary-General of the United Nations

http://www.un.org/Pubs/chronicle/2008/webarticles/080327_aids.html

Dear Friends,

More updates on Commission on AIDS in Asia.....

I am happy to report that in a well-attended event a few hours ago, the Chairman
of the Commission on AIDS in Asia delivered our Report to the Secretary-General
of the United Nations, Mr Ban Ki-moon.  In a well packed conference in the UN
Headquarters, attended by the Representatives of the Asian Governments, UN
cosponsors, UNAIDS  Executive director Peter Piot the a brief outline of the
report was presented by the Chairman.

He pointed out that AIDS in Asia has emerged as the largest killer dieses for
adult population less than 45 years of age. The urgency is lacking on the part
of the leaderships, he pointed out that only two country had head of state
leading the National AIDS response, The resource is only 20% of the resources
required in the region and most countries depend on the donors for the program
when it is very well within the means of the governments, Even at thirty cents
per capita an effective response can be mounted for majority countries in Asia
the report highlights provided the population groups are prioritized and
programs are effective,

Dr Peter Piot, UNAIDS Executive Director, commended the report for results-based
approach, highlighting the need for prioritization for interventions for sex
workers, drug users, and MSM populations, and called for an increase in domestic
resources and overall making a case for regional strategies.

Ban Ki-moon the UN Secretary-General in its first ever public appearance on HIV
on Asia appealed to the governments to implement the recommendations of the
report that includes decriminalization of IDU, sex work and MSM population for
effective intervention and ensuring rights for these people  All three speakers
highlighted the need for shift of involvement of civil society form a tokenistic
to meaningful engagement

Although the whole report is uploaded in the UNAIDS website. You should at least
read the executive summary which I am sharing with you: “Redefining AIDS in Asia
: Crafting an effective response” attached here.  The Report gives us new
insight on many issues on HIV in the region, including the specific and
individual recognition of the importance of community involvement through
networks of PLHIV, community-based organizations of sex workers, IDU, MSM;
affected women and NGOs in the AIDS response.  In addition to this recognition,
I’d like to highlight three of the top recommendations for civil society:
First is the need for the democratic and transparent involvement and
representation of civil society in all stages of the response.  One way to
achieve this is through the creation of national alliances of civil society and
community groups, who will vote or find the right process to send
representatives to policy and planning committees, such as the National AIDS
Commissions or the Country Coordinating Mechanisms.
Second, funds don’t always reach the right civil society groups.  To more
efficiently and effectively ensure that the right civil society and community
groups are resourced and supported, we suggest that Governments earmark funds
for this purpose, and that funds are disbursed through a Trust run by equal
Government and nongovernmental representatives.
Finally, it is vitally important that all aspects of the response are closely
monitored by AIDS Watch bodies.  This includes not only Government, but civil
society and community organizations as well.

I would also like to highlight a few of the new findings of the Commission:
We have seen that the global classification of “low”, “concentrated” and
“generalized” epidemics can be misleading and is not sufficient for guiding the
response in Asia .  We suggest there is need for a new classification, based on
the trends in behaviors and infections to highlight the priority of population
groups like drug users, sex workers and MSM population etc. In this Report, we
specifically suggest four scenarios: “latent”, “expanding”, “maturing”, and
“declining”.
The Commission also recognizes the need to protect married women from becoming
infected by their husbands; but the lack of operational strategy is recognized .
Till that time the  most effective way of doing this is to protect the husbands
from getting infected in the first place, and that usually requires prevention
services for sex workers and their clients.
If we focus our resources in the right way, our Report shows that we can halt
and reverse the epidemics, save millions of lives, and provide impact mitigation
services for 80% of the populations most in need.   Such a response will require
$0.50 to $1.00 per capita per annum, depending on the epidemic scenario or stage
in the country.
As you can understand that the Commission has now come to close. , From here,
the follow up to the Commissions work will be launching the Report in at least
two regional settings: the UN ESCAP Commission Session, and at the PCB
meeting—both at the end of this month.  Several people are also working hard to
highlight prominent country-launches throughout the region. Community
discussions are also discussed.

I feel proud that 600 members and community organizations helped shape this
report that has been accepted by the UN at the highest level. As I told today in
the meting that this is not he end but the begging as we have to take this
report to ach country for monitor the implementation.  There is no easy was out
I had to reminded the meeting, we as a community shall act together to see these
actins are translated to action ,  and I hope that you will all join in taking
forward these recommendations.  This Report provides a unique opportunity and
momentum for greater advocacy and action in the AIDS response.  I hope we can
seize this opportunity.

Regards,
Frika Chia Iskandar
e-mail: <frikachia@...>

Webcast: http://www.un.org/webcast/sg.html

Download full report - Redefining AIDS in Asia: Crafting an effective response
(pdf, 1.6 Mb)
http://data.unaids.org/pub/Report/2008/20080326_report_commission_aids_en.pdf

UNAIDS Programme Coordination Board NGO Representative Report Preface
Edited by Liang Yanyan, China, 2008-03-26
Background:

The "PCB" is the "Programme Coordination Board" of UNAIDS. The PCB meeting is
held twice per year, is responsible for making major decisions regarding many
aspects of UNAIDS work, including establishing policies and priorities for
UNAIDS; approving budgets and workplans for UNAIDS; and reviewing long-term
plans of action for UNAIDS. The 22nd UNAIDS PCB meeting is being held at
Chiangmai from the 23rd to 24th of April 2008. The agenda and all the related
documents can be downloaded at:

http://www.unaids.org/en/AboutUNAIDS/Governance/PCBArchive/22nd_PCB_Meeting_Apri\
l_2008.asp


Civil Society Representative representing Asia Pacific Region:
Vince Crisostomo, The 7 Sisters, coordinator@...

Liang Yanyan's Suggestions:

Suggest to consult the opinions of your constituency according to the topics
mentioned in the NGO Representative Report, especially TB/HIV Coinfection
management, TB/HCV Coinfection.

1. Co-infection Management: HIV and Tuberculosis

a.    UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board requests UNAIDS to endorse TB
prevention diagnosis, and treatment within the context of universal access and
therefore including TB prevention, diagnostics, treatment and adherence in all
national HIV action frameworks and strategies.

b.    UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board requests UNAIDS to include the goal of
reducing TB mortality as part of the indicators in national target setting
processes.

c.    UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board acknowledges and promotes the right of
PLHIV to be able to attend health services without fear of contracting TB.

d.    UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board recommends UNAIDS to develop and
implement strategies to involve communities affected by HIV in the TB response.

e.    UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board recommends UNAIDS to collaborate with
partners to development guidance material to address the human rights issues
around treatment of TB, especially in regards to multidrug-resistance TB and
extra drug-resistance TB.

f.     UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board requests UNAIDS to work with relevant
partners to accelerate research and development of better tools for prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment of TB.


2. Co-infection Management: HIV and Hepatitis C

a.    UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board requests UNAIDS and WHO to develop and
additional component of the guideline module relevant for HIV care for
Integrated Management of Adolescent and Adult Illness (IMAI) on Hepatitis Care
with Hepatitis-HIV co-management.

3. Meeting the Treatment Target

a.    UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board requests UNAIDS to collaborate more
closely with GFATM on the global mechanism for price negotiation and the cost
effective procurement of all HIV related commodities, with special reference to
the affordability of second line ARV drugs, paediatric formulations, diagnostic
equipment, substitution drugs and clean needles.

4. Meeting the Prevention Target Amongst Injecting Drug Users

a.    UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board requests UNAIDS and Co-sponsors, as a
matter of priority, assist governments in scaling up harm reduction approaches,
including needle exchange and substitution therapy, paying particular attention
to removing legislation and policy barriers to effective implementation of harm
reduction services, which would fall in line with commitment 22 of the Political
Declaration on HIV/AIDS.

5. Criminalization of Transmission and Legal Reform

a.    UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board requests UNAIDS Secretariat to report
at the XX board meting on actions that they are taking with relevant partners at
the national level to remediate the human rights violations, and to ensure that
the recommendations as outlined in the 2002 Policy Options Paper are
implemented.

6. UNAIDS Guidance Note on Sex Work

a.       UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board requests UNAIDS to monitor and
evaluate the implementation of the Guidance Note on HIV and Sex Work in
consultation with the Global Working Group on HIV and Sex Work Policy, and
networks of sex workers to ensure that the development and maintenance of an
enabling environment that respects the rights of sex workers and which promote
and support their empowerment, are given equal attention and resources among
other priorities.

"Liang Yanyan"
e-mail: <liangyanyan@...>

Dear Friends,

I am happy to see such interest in the Commission’s work, and I am pleased to
inform you that after more than 18 months of arduous work, the Report of the
Commission, entitled “Redefining AIDS in Asia: Crafting an effective response,”
is ready to be released. To this end, Dr. Rangarajan, the Commission Chair, will
hand over the Report to Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary General, during a
ceremony to be held at the UN Secretariat in New York on 26 March 2008, at 10:30
am (New York).

The Permanent representatives and consular missions of Asian countries in New
York, Heads of Agencies and global coordinators of UNAIDS cosponsors, and major
civil society organizations (such as Clinton Foundation, Open Society, and
others) headquartered in New York have been invited to attend the handover
ceremony at the UN Secretariat. Following the hand-over, the Report will be
uploaded on to the UNAIDS website.

Following the handover of the Report to the UN Secretary General, we are
planning a series of country launches in Asia in April and May 2008. We are
exploring possible launch dates when Heads of Governments will be available to
give AIDS and the event the necessary visibility and importance. We are also
planning a regional launch for civil society, to take place during this period.
And also perhaps serials of dissemination in countries. I will share the launch
schedule with you as it becomes available. I will also share with you a copy of
the Report after the Handover in New York.

Up to now, what I can share with you is that, from the online Community
Consultation and key-information interviews done during July-August 2007, it has
contributed to the Community Engagement Chapter of the report. And hopefully
this report can be use as one of the advocacy tools that we have been using too.

Since the beginning of the report, your contribution has been really meaningful
for me. And I would highly appreciate your support and collaboration in this
process and in the next steps, as we take forward the Recommendations of the
Commission.

Best Regards,

Frika Chia Iskandar
e-mail: <frikachia@...>

Panel Discussion

Redefining AIDS in Asia: Crafting an Effective Response

Co-organized by UNAIDS

Date: Time:  March 26th, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Location:  New York Asia Society and Museum, 725 Park Avenue (at 70th
Street), New York

Cost:  Free admission, Phone:  212-517-ASIA

In an effort to better understand and analyze the potential impact of
AIDS on economies, societies, individuals and families in Asia, the
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) supported the
creation of the Independent Commission on AIDS in Asia. Launched in
July 2006 in New Delhi, India, the Commission brings together 9 of
the region's leading development economists, policy makers, public
health experts and civil society representatives working on AIDS.

Join us as the Asia Society and UNAIDS convene the first public
unveiling of the Commission's findings. Commission members will
present their projections for the epidemic's medium- and long-term
effects on society and development in the region. Additionally, they
will offer policy options in the areas of prevention, treatment and
care and impact mitigation aimed at significantly moving the AIDS
response forward in Asia.

Speakers:

JVR Prasada Rao, Director, Regional Support Team, Asia and the
Pacific, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)

Chakravarthi Rangarajan, Commission Chairman; Chief Economic Advisor
to the Prime Minister of India; Former Governor of the Reserve Bank
of India

Frika Chia Iskandar, the Commission's civil society representative;
founding member of PITA, a support group in Indonesia for parents of
HIV positive children; Board member of the Global Network of PLWHA
(People Living with HIV/AIDS) representing the Asia Pacific region
John E. Tedstrom, Executive Director, Global Business Coalition on
HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (moderator)

http://asiasociety.org/events/calendar.pl?
rm=detail&eventid=17166&date=3%2F20%
2F08&filter_region=0&filter_category=0&keywords=AIDS

A CONTRADICTORY PERSONAL OPINION ON CARBON NEUTRALITY

by Mark Rapoport, MD, MPH

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AIDS_ASIA/message/1195

Few can disagree, I believe, with recognizing the huge threat posed
by climate change and with the value of the concept of carbon
neutrality. I also understand and agree with the concept
of "thinking globally, acting locally" - in a programmatic sense as
well as a geographic sense.

Nevertheless, I felt a small shudder when I read the strong
suggestion that the concept of carbon neutrality be discussed at the
aforementioned meeting, and then create a policy that presumably
(and optimistically, although perhaps not realistically) be approved
and implemented.

Politics is the art of the possible, and prioritization is a
watchword in just about every activity in life. Both apply here. In
some areas, considerations of climate change should be at the top of
the list (or nearly so): auto design, recycling, and a host of
others.

I do not think that it should be at the top of the list in
the sphere of HIV/AIDS activity. With this audience, it is not
necessary to discuss the seriousness of the HIV/AIDS problem nor the
insufficiency (in a thousand ways) of the response to it.

Issues of ethics, rights and responsibilities are certainly key in
determining policy re HIV/AIDS (and just about everything else).

However, the slide slippery slope into the swamp of rhetoric and
political correctness (I know-mixed metaphor)has complicated and,
dare I say, slowed down the implementation of important efforts in
prevention and care from the very beginning of this epidemic.

(I say that from personal experience - I was a deputy commissioner in the New
York City Department of Health in 1982, when the condition was
called G.R.I.D., because while we were ignorant of its etiology, we
did know which groups were disproportionately affected.)

"Making a statement" is a good thing; further complicating an
already terribly complicated, challenging, serious, and painful
problem is a bad thing. In this case, I think the latter issue is
by far the more weighty, and it must be the over-arching
consideration in HIV/AIDS policy as it relates to carbon neutrality
and related matters. I think that this consideration argues strongly
for NOT making carbon neutrality a major topic at the meeting in
question and others in the near future.

We should all do our part in the climate change sphere, at every
level. However, I would prefer to see it put on hold in in the
HIV/AIDS arena, at least until we have "turned the corner" on the
daunting challenges posed by new infections, incomplete care, and
inadequate commitment.

Sincerely,

Mark Rapoport, MD, MPH
e-mail: <markrapoportmd@...>

A Carbon Neutral HIV Response

Joe Thomas.

[Dr. Joe Thomas is the editor of AIDS ASIA  and AIDS INDIA e FORUMs.
This is his personal opinion.]

A Carbon Neutral HIV Response must be on the agenda of the next
Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) of the UNAIDS. The 22nd Meeting of
the PCB meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on 23 - 25 April 2008,
should request UNAIDS to develop a time bound program to make the
agency a carbon neutral entity.

The cost of inaction over man's harmful effect on the environment
would be costly. According to the new OECD report, if current
environmental policies prevail, by 2030 ozone pollution alone is
likely to cause four times more premature deaths, per head of
population, than it did in 2000 (when there were 42,000 such deaths
around the world).

The Kyoto Protocol is an inter governmental agreement, to reduce
human made impact on the global environment, made under the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Kyoto
Protocol now covers more than 170 countries globally and more than
60% of countries in terms of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Countries that ratify this protocol commit to reduce their emissions
of carbon dioxide or engage in emissions trading if they maintain or
increase emissions of these gases.

Being Carbon Neutral is becoming desirable a core value, of nations,
institutions, communities and individuals. HIV response – a community
of people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, researchers, advocates,
and a range of institutions- can any more be insulted from the
challenges of environmental degradation.

Many forward looking corporate houses and members of civil society
have already developed policies and programs to reduce their carbon
footprint and to become their actions carbon Neutral

Annual mammoth international conferences which brings a large number
people across continents together and extensive air travel by an
elite group of HIV response leaders are a source of large amount of
carbon dioxide being added to the environment. There is an urgent
need to look into ways in which, HIV response's harmful impact on the
environment is reduced.

Carbon Neutral HIV response, is important in many ways. Most
importantly it is a signal, that HIV response is maturing and being
connected to other cotemporary social challenges which threatens
human survival.

It appears that such a willingness to connect with other core global
challenges such as addressing poverty, human security, health for
all, need to strengthen the health care systems in developing
countries  and environmental degradations is awfully lacking among
the key opinion makes and leaders of HIV response.

Some of the key challenges of a Carbon Neutral HIV response will be
reflected on individual, institutional, policy and program level.

A massive greening initiative (even a carbon trading initiative) to
mitigate the carbon impact of HIV response could easily be integrated
into any HIV response.  A carbon mitigation project could contribute
to poverty reduction objectives and reducing economic insecurity of
people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

A call for a Carbon Neutral HIV response must be on the agenda of
the  22nd Meeting of the Programme Coordinating Board of the UNAIDS
meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The PCB   should request UNAIDS to
develop a time bound program to make the agency carbon neutral. Under
this initiative UNAIDS must be asked to do an auditing of its carbon
print urgently and ways in which such an impact could be mitigated.

Dear friends in the fight against HIV/AIDS,

Now it is the time to overcharge the contact with your national government
representatives in order to secure a proper place for your organization in the
delegation that is going to the UNGASS-AIDS High Level Meeting, in New York
City, in June 10-11.

UNAIDS has stimulated the countries to have a broader civil society
participation in national process, as you can find in the page 17 of the 2008
UNAIDS Guidelines on Monitoring the DoC:

http://data.unaids.org/pub/Manual/2007/20070411_ungass_core_indicators_manual_en\
.pdf

The deadline for the  the General Assembly Presiden send to the contries the
list of NGO that asked for creditation is March 31st.

There is no deadline for governments to include NGOs in the national delegation.
However we strongly recomend that civil society should start contacting your
government immediately, looking for a well represented participation at the
national delegation in June.

This is the pressing issue for our advocacy strategy towards making the civil
society contribution recognized as valuable and indispensable in the fight
against the epidemic, both in a local and in a global level, bringing it up a
notch in the political realm.

Best of good work.


Manuella Donato
Claudio Fernandes

GESTOS - Soropositividade, Comunicação e Gênero
www.gestos.org

Rua dos Médices, 68- Boa Vista
Recife, PE - 50070-290 Brasil
55.81.34217670/ 34217727
Fax: 55.81.32313880
e-mail: <alessandra.nilo@...>

Application for local Hubs are open.

The XVII International AIDS Conference will, for the first time in its history -
and possibly in the history of conferencing - provide hubs (centres) where
selected sessions of the conference will be screened, either live or delayed,
around the world and maybe followed by a moderated local discussion to see how
the content of the session can be used locally. There will be one Official Hub
in South Africa.

Additionally, Partner and Independent Hubs will be put together either by large
international non-for-profit organisations or by local communities (schools,
AIDS societies, faith-based organisations, etc.) or individuals. The conference
organisers will not help these groups set up the hubs, but promote them through
the official AIDS 2008 web site, providing technical guidelines and the feed
(content).

Hubs submissions are open. Please click  the following url to submit a hub.

http://www.aids2008.org/hubs/SubmitHub.aspx


Objectives

1. Expand participation and facilitate access to conference content A greater
number of stakeholders could participate in the conference by attending the IAC
through the conference hubs, especially in areas where the conference has not
been held. Access will also be significantly cheaper.

2. Generate local synergies and media interest Holding the conference in
multiple locations worldwide will generate local dynamics that would not be
generated in Mexico, increase awareness, reduces stigma and provoke discussions
about HIV and AIDS instead of ignoring it.
Local media will also be much keener to report on local events than “just
another conference” happening on another continent.

3. Expand the scope of the IAC, making it a truly global event
By arranging Official Hubs and allowing, encouraging and promoting Partner and
Independent Hubs during the IAC, the conference would be held across the world.
This innovative approach would thus increase the global scope of the conference.

4. Link the regions to the IAC and vice versa It is important to integrate
regional issues into the conference programme, and ensure conference
deliberations reach those in the regions. Hubs will be able to report their
findings on the conference web site.

5. Prepare for a possible capping of the next IAC If the trend of increased
delegate numbers for each conference continues, registrations will have to be
capped. This plan diverts those not able to attend in person, to the hubs.

Please visit http://www.aids2008.org/mainpage.aspx?pageId=364 for more
information and registration.

Thanks & Regards,
Dr.Nabeel.M.K.
e-mail: <drnabeelmk@...>

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR CIVIL SOCIETY SPEAKERS
2008 High Level Meeting on AIDS

1.  Plenary Speaker (a Person Openly Living with HIV)
2.  Speakers at the Informal Interactive Civil Society Hearing
3.  Speakers on Panels

Background

On 10-11 June 2008, a High-Level Meeting will be convened in New
York  by the United Nations General Assembly to undertake a
comprehensive  review of the progress achieved in realizing the 2001
Declaration of  Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the 2006 Political
Declaration on HIV/AIDS.

Opening plenary:

In accordance with the resolution adopted by the  General Assembly
that sets out the organizational arrangements for this  meeting, one
person from civil society who is openly living with HIV will  be
invited to speak at the opening plenary session of the High Level
Meeting. The other plenary speakers will be the Secretary General of
the  United Nations, the President of the UN General Assembly, the
Executive  Director of UNAIDS, and an eminent person (to be
selected). For more  information, see the organizational resolution
for the Meeting at:

http://www.unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/Resources/FeatureStories/archive/2008/2\
0070115_2008_High_level_mtg.asp

Civil society hearing:

A 2 hour interactive hearing will be chaired by  the President of the
General Assembly with approximately 10 speakers  from civil society.
The dialogue will provide an opportunity to exchange  views with
representatives of governments.   The format for the  hearing and
specific topics are still under discussion.

Panels:

Five panel sessions will be held on specific themes that have  not
yet been selected but that will be drawn from the report being
prepared for the meeting by the UN Secretary General.  Speakers from
civil  society may also be members of each panel along with
representatives of  governments and inter-governmental organizations.

Applications Process

A Civil Society Task Force has been established to advise the
President  of the United Nations General Assembly on preparations for
the High  Level Meeting.  The Task Force has been asked to propose
the names of  civil society speakers (including business/private
sector) for the opening  plenary, civil society hearing and panels.

The Task Force has therefore established criteria for selection and a
speaker application process, including criteria and timelines, given
below.

Individuals are asked to apply on their own behalf and must complete
and return the Application Form.  Some people may have indicated
their  interest to be a speaker when they applied for accreditation
or  registered online to attend the High Level Meeting.

These persons must still  complete and return the provided pplication
Form, as it contains  supplementary information to facilitate the
review and selection process.

Applications are strongly encouraged from: women; young people; sex
workers; people who use drugs; men who have sex with men; trans-
gendered  persons, ex-prisoners; migrants; refugees and internally
displaced  persons; and people in conflict and post conflict
situations.

People living with HIV who attend the High Level Meeting and are
prepared to speak from their experience as an openly HIV+ person,
need to be  comfortable that their status may become widely known due
to the  possibility of broad media coverage.  In addition, people
living with HIV  will be required to apply for a visa to enter the US
and a waiver because  of their HIV status.

Selection

The Civil Society Task Force will review applications on the basis of
the established criteria.  Please note that short-listed candidates
may be interviewed by phone.  The Civil Society Task Force will make
public on list-serves its recommendations of civil society speakers
to the President of the General Assembly (who will then make the
decisions in discussion with Member States). It will not be possible
to reply individually to every applicant.


Deadline and contact details

Applications must be completed and received no later than 30 March
2008.

Only email applications will be accepted. Please send the
application  with all required information in English to:

E-mail: hlmspeakers@...


The Task Force is working within tight timeframes and understands
the  challenges of such a short process.  However, this is required
in order  to allow time for a fair selection process, the approval by
the  President of the General Assembly, in discussion with Member
States, and then  for the final selected speakers to be able to
arrange their travel and  visa requirements.  Your assistance in
circulating this information as  widely as possible and as rapidly as
possible is appreciated to ensure  that members of civil society are
aware of this opportunity.

To download application, please go to http://www.icaso.org/cstf.html

Or write to hlmspeakers@... and request a copy to be sent
Electronically

http://www.icaso.org/cstf.html

Dear Friends,

Coalition for AIDS Treatment Access (CATA) in India requests partner members and
others to support AIDS activists around the world on PEPFAR Reauthorization bill
to ensure 55% treatment allocations earmarked in the current bill. Kindly
express your solidarity by sending back the attached letter duly signed and
organisation name to reach us latest by tomorrow at

cata.india@...

PEPFAR Reauthorization – Maintaining the Priority for Treatment

The new PEPFAR bill increases PEPFAR funding 330% (from $15 billion
up to $50 billion), yet only increases the goal of people on lifesaving
antiretroviral treatment (ART) by 50%. The current treatment goal of two million
people on treatment moves up to only
three million people on treatment – one million more people – despite the huge
increase in overall funding. In addition, there is no specific funding set aside
for HIV testing.

If this PEPFAR bill passes in its present form, millions of people
worldwide will be deprived of testing and treatment.

The current PEPFAR bill includes a provision, or treatment floor, requiring that
55% of the funds be spent on treatment. The new PEPFAR bill being worked on in
Washington has `NO' minimum per cent or amount of money marked or dedicated for
treatment or testing.

AIDS medicines have transformed the global AIDS pandemic. Reducing
specific funding allocations for treatment and testing will set us
way back, and will certainly discourage people from seeking testing
and treatment.

[About CATA Coalition for AIDS Treatment Access (CATA) provides an ideal
platform to sign-in for a meaningful advocacy discussions and
coalition building with more than 40 organisations in Delhi and
other parts of India as active members. Support us by joining CATA
and be informed about recent debates and campaigns in the fight for
universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment.]

You can reach us at  cata.india@...
_____________


Please sign on to this Letter and send it across to us by today at
cata.india@...



March 1, 2008

Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Chair, Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Senator Richard G. Lugar
Ranking Minority Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Washington DC

Dear Senators Biden and Lugar:

I am writing you today with urgent concerns that I ask you to
consider and address regarding the reauthorization of PEPFAR.

As a professional with …… years of experience working in global
HIV/AIDS (or add whatever your experience is – personalize it if it
works for you), I know that anti-retroviral treatment (ART) is the
single biggest contributor to the success of PEPFAR thus far.
Treating 2 million people has produced tremendous positive effects
in terms of testing, prevention, reduction in stigma, etc -- as well
as lives saved and families kept together.

We all have fought so hard to create a reality of universal access
to treatment – PEPFAR was the instrumental force making it happen.
I applaud both the President and Congress for this. However, we are
far from the reality of real universal access to treatment with only
2 million people of the estimated 33 million people living with
HIV/AIDS receiving the life-saving medicines that are so freely
available in the Western world.

The new PEPFAR bill that you will soon be considering brings the
spending allocation to $50 billion that is very welcomed and
urgently needed.  Unfortunately, the bill removes the treatment
floor that has worked so well in moving us toward universal access
to treatment and actually significantly lowers the goals of
treatment numbers. Why would the House or the Senate want to do
that? The bill should call for a set goal of 10 million in treatment
over the next five years – it is achievable.  In addition, the bill
sets no HIV testing goals at a time when we know that HIV testing is
the critical missing component to HIV/AIDS treatment access and
scale-up. This does not make sense.

The bill diffuses a targeted effort to stop a fast growing and
extremely adaptable virus – this is not sound public health. In
addition, it removes an effective accountability of the American
people's contribution by watering down specific target goals – thus
opening the door for corruption and misuse of funds.  Opening this
door to abuse will be hard to reverse.

We urge to please review the concerns raised and do not pass the
PEPFAR bill as it is currently written. It jeopardizes the
significant gains in global AIDS treatment and prevention that
PEPFAR has made.  It is truly a matter of life and death for
millions of people.

Sincerely,

Name:    Xxxxxx

Organisation and contact address: Xxxxxx





_____________________________

Dr.Mahesh Ganesan,

Advocacy Coordinator
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
S 7 Panchsheel Park,
New Delhi 110017, India
Tel:  + 91 11 41745541/42
Fax: + 91 11 41745543
Cell: +91 9911331998
mahesh.ganesan@...
www.aidshealth.org

Provisional,agenda for the  22nd Meeting of the UNAIDS Programme
Coordinating Board meeting

22nd PCB Meeting, April 2008

The 22nd Meeting of the Programme Coordinating Board meeting will be
held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, 23 - 25 April 2008.

Venue: Holiday Inn Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Time of meeting: 23 April - 08h30 - 12h30 and 14h00 - 18h00
24-25 April - 09h00 - 12h30 and 14h00 - 18h00

Draft Annotated Provisional Agenda

Wednesday 23 April

1. Opening

1.1 Opening of the meeting and adoption of the provisional agenda
The outgoing Chair will provide the opening remarks to the
22ndProgramme Coordinating Board meeting

1.2 Election of Officers In accordance with the PCB procedures, the
Board shall elect among its representatives a new PCB Vice-Chair,
Rapporteur and NGO delegates.

Thematic segment: "Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) among
people living with HIV and how UNAIDS can work with TB communities"

Thursday 24 April

Regular segment
1. Opening (continued)

1.3 Consideration of the report of the twenty-first meeting
The report of the twenty-first PCB meeting will be presented to the
Board for adoption.
Document: UNAIDS/PCB(21)/07.21 and UNAIDS/PCB(22)/08.CRP.1

1.4 Report of the Executive Director

The Executive Director will present an oral statement under this
item. The UNAIDS Annual Report, providing an overview of UNAIDS'
activities in 2007, will also be submitted to the PCB as a background
document.

1.5 Report by the Chairperson of the Committee of Cosponsoring
Organizations

The CCO Chair will present an oral statement under this item.
Highlights of the joint and specific Cosponsors' activities will be
reflected in the UNAIDS Annual Report.

1.6 Report by the NGO representative

The report of the NGO representative will highlight civil society
perspectives on the global response to AIDS.
Document: UNAIDS/PCB(22)/08.2
(Lunch: 12.30-14.00)

2. Gender-sensitivity of AIDS responses

As requested by the 20th PCB meeting finalized gender guidelines
together with a costed action plan for their dissemination and
implementation at the country level (ref. PCB 20/ rec. 12.3) will be
presented to the Board for adoption. Delegates will also receive
information further clarifying the specific sectoral gender
responsibilities of each UNAIDS Cosponsor (ref. PCB 20/ rec. 12.6)

Documents: UNAIDS/PCB(22)/08.3 and UNAIDS/PCB(22)/08.CRP.2

3. Memorandum of Understanding with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS,
Tuberculosis and Malaria.

A revised Memorandum of Understanding with the Global Fund to Fight
AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria will be presented to the Board for
approval.

Documents: UNAIDS/PCB(22)/08.4 and UNAIDS/PCB(22)/08.CRP.3
Friday 25 April

4. Second Independent Evaluation of UNAIDS

Delegates will consider a recommendation to be presented by the PCB
Chair and the Oversight Committee Chair on the bids received to
conduct the Second Independent Evaluation of UNAIDS
(ref. PCB 21/ rec.4.10). The Board will also receive, for agreement,
the Terms of Reference for the two liaison officials (Cosponsor and
Secretariat) who will work with the Oversight Committee.
Documents: UNAIDS/PCB(22)/08.5

5. Proposal for Standing Sub-committees of the Programme Coordinating
Board As requested at the 21st PCB meeting (ref.PCB 21/rec.5.2) the
Board will receive a proposal for decision on the possible
establishment, terms of reference and membership of a standing
subcommittee of the PCB, on planning and performance monitoring.
Documents: UNAIDS/PCB(22)/08.6

6. Cycle of the UNAIDS Unified Budget and Workplan
As requested at the 20th PCB meeting (ref. PCB 20/ rec.7.15), the
Board will receive an analysis of the case for, and be invited to
make decisions on, moving to a four-year Unified Budget and Workplan.
Documents: UNAIDS/PCB(22)/08.7
(Lunch: 12.30-14.00)

7. Information Items

7.1 Process for nomination of the Executive Director
The PCB will receive for information a short factual note on the
process for nomination of the Executive Director for UNAIDS.
Documents: UNAIDS/PCB(22)/08.8

7.2 Follow-up to the Global Task Team Independent Assessment
Delegates will receive an update on progress in the implementation of
the Global task Team

Independent Assessment recommendations adopted by the 20th PCB
meeting, and the request to the PCB Bureau to establish a reference
group for oversight of the implementation of the recommendations
(ref. PCB 20/rec. 13.3)

Documents: UNAIDS/PCB(22)/08.9

7.3 Financial Reports
The Board will receive a financial report and audited financial
statement as well the report of the external auditor for the
financial period 1 January 2006 – 31 December 2007 and a
financial update for the period 1 January to 29 February 2008. As
requested by the 20th PCB meeting (ref. PCB 20/ rec.7.9), delegates
will also receive a report on the use of funds under
the Executive Director's discretionary authority approved at the 20th
PCB meeting.

Documents: UNAIDS/PCB(22)/08.10 and UNAIDS/PCB(22)/08.11

7.4 Statement by the representative of the UNAIDS Staff Association
Document: UNAIDS/PCB(22)/08.12

8. Next Programme Coordinating Board meetings

The Board will be asked to agree the theme of the 23rd and 24th
Programme Coordinating Board meetings and dates for the 25th, 26th
and 27th meetings.
Documents: UNAIDS/PCB(22)/08.13

9. Any other business

10. Adoption of decisions, recommendations and conclusions
The draft decisions, recommendations and conclusions prepared by the
drafting group will be presented for adoption by the meeting plenary

http://www.unaids.org/en/AboutUNAIDS/Governance/PCBArchive/22nd_PCB_Meeting_Apri\
l_2008.asp

China: Expanding Crackdown on Health Websites

(New York, March 6, 2008) -- Chinese authorities have shut down two
popular websites for people with AIDS and hepatitis, and threatened
the shutdown of a third unless it removes "illegal information", Asia
Catalyst said today. China should allow AIDS and hepatitis groups
free access to the internet to fight the epidemics.

  "The internet is a lifeline to thousands of people suffering from
AIDS and hepatitis around China," said Sara Davis, executive director
of Asia Catalyst. "Shutting down websites will only drive those
people further underground."

Over the past three months, the ring of web censorship has gradually
widened. All of the sites affected are operated by grassroots Chinese
nonprofit organizations. While officials have acknowledged the need
for civil society in the fight against AIDS, in practice
organizations often face restrictions.

On November 20, 2007, the Beijing Communications Administration
ordered the shutdown of www.hbvhbv.com, a popular forum known as "In
the Hepatitis B Camp Network of China". Registered users share
information, including warnings about the fake hepatitis medicines
that proliferate in China. The forum is run by Beijing Yirenping, a
health and welfare organization.

On February 26, authorities shut down the AIDS Museum site
(www.aidsmuseum.net), an AIDS news site, and www.aidswiki.cn, a
collaborative "wiki" through which AIDS advocates shared news and
drafted articles. According to its host, AIDS advocate Chang Kun, the
site boasted 300,000 visits per day.

On March 5, China's leading independent AIDS organization, Aizhixing,
was warned to remove unspecified "illegal information" from its
website, www.aizhi.net, and the site was intermittently shut down on
March 5.

The web crackdown follows on the arrest of AIDS and civil rights
advocate Hu Jia, who was detained in December and charged
with "inciting state subversion." His wife, Zeng Jinyan, and their
baby both remain under house arrest. In a public statement, Aizhixing
suggested their website troubles could be linked to reports on their
site about Hu Jia.

"The crackdown on AIDS and hepatitis groups is having a chilling
effect," Davis said. "Many groups are becoming increasingly afraid to
do their normal work."

Widespread stigma and discrimination has driven many people with
HIV/AIDS and hepatitis underground in China, making the internet the
only way anonymous users can connect with peers to gain basic
information about their health and legal rights. There are an
estimated 130 million people carrying hepatitis B virus in China.

Officially China admits to having 650,000 people with HIV/AIDs,
though independent experts believe the number may be higher.

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,
which China has signed and ratified, guarantees everyone the right to
health, including the right to access health information. China's
national laws, including the AIDS Prevention Regulations, call for
information on AIDS to be made available on the internet.

"Shutting down websites doesn't make epidemics disappear," Davis
said. "As many Chinese officials have acknowledged, we need civil
society in the fight against AIDS and hepatitis."

Asia Catalyst partners with activists in Asia to inspire, create and
launch innovative, self-sustaining programs and organizations that
advance human rights, social justice and environmental protection.
For more information, please see www.asiacatalyst.org.


Meg Davis
e-mail: <sara.meg.davis@...>
--
Sara L.M. Davis, Ph.D. ("Meg")
Chair, Committee for Human Rights, American Anthropological Assn
Executive Director, Asia Catalyst
PO Box 20839
New York, NY 10009
www.asiacatalyst.org
www.songandsilence.com

The Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM) is pleased to announce
the release of a policy brief entitled "The Value of Investing in MSM Programs
in the Asia-Pacific Region" today. This brief compares the overall expenditure
on HIV prevention with the expenditure for MSM programs alone, discusses the
sources of funds and resource requirements for MSM programs and shows the gap
between current expenditures and resources needed for an effective prevention
program for MSM.

The most recent data on HIV prevalence among men who have sex with
men (MSM) in the Asia Pacific region shows that across various samples and
sampling locations, between 0% and 32% of MSM are now living with HIV, making up
10-25% of all HIV infections across countries in the region. Despite this, both
investment in and coverage of HIV prevention and care programs for MSM remains
at a very low level.

APCOM hopes that this report will help policy makers recognise the
serious impact that the HIV and STI epidemics among men who have
sex with men is having, and convince them that investing in HIV
programs for MSM should be an essential part of overall efforts to
reduce the prevalence of HIV in Asia and the Pacific.

The policy brief aims to give advocates for improved access to HIV
prevention and care services for MSM a powerful tool to help argue their case
for more investment in HIV and AIDS interventions for MSM. It concludes with
four key recommendations:

„ Increase resource allocation for MSM programming.
„ Scale up successful pilot interventions for MSM.
„ Demonstrate cost-effectiveness and increase the evidence base.
„ Draw on multilateral funding sources.

The policy paper was produced in partnership with USAID under their
Health Policy Initiative together with Constella Futures, and was based on a
background paper that was prepared for the 2006 Risks and
Responsibilities - International Consultation on Male Sexual Health and HIV in
Asia and the Pacific, held in New Delhi, India. The paper is scheduled to be
updated by APCOM during 2008.

Please feel free to send ¡§The Value of Investing in MSM Programs in
the Asia-Pacific Region¡¨ Policy Brief to anyone you feel may be interested or
who may be in need of a strong advocacy tool.

The complete 4-page document is available on the temporary homepage
of the APCOM website (www.msmasia.org), or paste this into your
browser:

http://www.msmasia.org/The_Value_of_Investing_in_MSM_Programs_ in
_the_Asia-Pacific_Region.pdf


"Paul C"
e-mal: <paul@...>

Thailand threat to shoot 4,000 in drug war

By Thomas Bell in Bangkok
Last Updated: 3:34am GMT 26/02/2008

The new Thai government is to relaunch the country's "war on drugs"
which killed more than 2,500 people allegedly involved in the trade.
During a three-month killing spree in 2003 as intense as a full-scale
armed conflict, thousands named on police "black lists" were shot
dead, allegedly on government orders.

Yet the government's narcotics control board concluded that more than
half the victims had no involvement in drugs. One couple from north-
eastern Thailand were shot dead after coming into unexplained wealth
and being added to a black list. They were, in fact, lottery winners.
The campaign was one of the principal policies of Thaksin Shinawatra,
the former prime minister and Mr Samak's political patron, who now
lives in exile and owns Manchester City Football Club.

"My government will decisively implement a policy against drug
trafficking. Government officials must implement this policy 24 hours
a day, but I will not set a target for how many people should die,"
said Samak Sundaravej, the new prime minister.

The interior minister Chalerm Yubamrung, said: "When we implement a
policy that may bring 3,000 to 4,000 bodies, we will do it,"

Although the military junta which overthrew Mr Thaksin in 2006 called
the killings "a crime against humanity", the former premier and his
supporters - who were re-elected in December - insist that the dead
were the victims of gang warfare, not police killings.

Yet there is strong evidence of police involvement. Many were shot
days after being summoned to defend themselves before local
authorities or after reporting to a police station to have their name
removed from the "black list".

The government ordered the police to compile "back lists" which were
as comprehensive as possible, then shorten the list by 25 per cent
every month. Often the only way off the list was death.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?
xml=/news/2008/02/23/wthai123.xml

Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS(APN+) is currently looking
for someone to fill up its Positive MSM Working Group Coordinator's position.
The Positive MSM Working Group is a Working group of APN+ for Positive MSM in
the Asia Pacific Region.

Based in Bangkok this challenging post will involve working with a dedicated
team of Positive MSM, community based advocates working on HIV treatment
advocacy, Human rights, Prevention and liaising with small community based
organisations and donor agencies throughout Asia and the Pacific Region. A
willingness and proven commitment to working for Positive MSM is essential for
the successful candidate.

APN+, a registered foundation in Thailand has a policy of employing wherever
possible persons living with HIV. Men who have sex with men, particularly those
who are openly living with HIV, are encouraged to apply for this position.

All job applications will be treated as strictly confidential.

Contract duration: 9 months with possible extension

Please submit cover letter, resume and expected salary via email to 
meji@...

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Deadline for submission – 3 April 2008

For a copy of the  job descriptio  please contact meji@...


Shiba
APN+ Secretariat Office, Bangkok
e-mail: <shiba@...>

Proposals Sought for Innovative Global Health Research

First round of Grand Challenges Explorations to support bold, unconventional
ideas to fight infectious diseases

SEATTLE -- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced today that beginning
March 31, 2008, it will accept grant proposals for the first funding round of
Grand Challenges Explorations, a new $100 million initiative to help scientists
across the globe pursue ideas that have never before been tested for solving
major health problems.

The four topics for the first funding round were also announced.

Initial grants through the Explorations initiative will be $100,000 each, and
projects showing success will have the opportunity to receive additional funding
of $1 million or more. The initiative will use an agile, accelerated
grant-making process—applications will be two pages, and preliminary data are
not required. The foundation will select and award grants within approximately
three months from the proposal submission deadline of May 30, 2008.

"Breakthrough ideas can come from anywhere, and we hope this new process will
encourage a broad range of scientists from around the world to bring their ideas
to the table," said Dr. Tachi Yamada, president of the Gates Foundation's Global
Health Program.  "We're especially interested in reaching people who work
outside the field of global health, innovators in the developing world, and
young investigators."

Grand Challenges Explorations is an expansion of the Grand Challenges in Global
Health initiative, which was launched in 2003 to spur the discovery of new
technologies to improve global health. The Explorations initiative focuses on
research areas where creative, unorthodox thinking is most urgently needed.

Topics for First Funding Round

The first funding round of Grand Challenges Explorations will consider proposals
in four topic areas:

Creating new ways to protect against infectious diseases: Untried or unproven
approaches to protect against infectious diseases, including harnessing natural
or synthetic immune responses, or eliminating the need for an effective immune
response.

Creating drugs or delivery systems that limit the emergence of resistance:
Innovative ideas for discovering or delivering drugs that are less likely to
lose effectiveness because of resistance developing in the disease-causing
agent.

Creating new ways to prevent or cure HIV infection: Innovative ideas for HIV
prevention or treatment methods that fall outside current research on vaccines,
antiretroviral drugs, and other biomedical and behavior-change strategies.

Exploring the basis for latency in TB: Unconventional approaches to
understanding latent TB infection, with the goal of discovering new ways to
identify and eliminate latent infection, and break the cycle of TB transmission.

Grant proposals for the first Explorations funding round will be accepted online
at Grand Challenges Explorations from March 31 through May 30, 2008; applicants
must register intent to submit a proposal by May 15, 2008.

Once the first Explorations funding round is complete, the foundation will
announce subsequent funding rounds. Topics may vary over time, to cover a range
of priorities in global health research.

Full descriptions of the initial topic areas and application instructions are
available at www.gcgh.org/explorations.


Contact:
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Phone: 206.709.3400
Email: media@...

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF WOMEN LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS (ICW)
ASIA PACIFIC REGIONAL COORDINATOR

ICW is the global network of women living with HIV/AIDS, and works to promote
gender equity, access to care and treatment, and meaningful involvement of HIV
positive women at all levels of decision making affecting their lives. ICW has a
growing membership across 138 countries.

ICW has now secured funding to establish the post of ICW Asia Pacific Regional
Coordinator. The post will be employed by the Asia Pacific Network of People
living with HIV/AIDS (APN+), seconded to ICW, and based in the APN+ office in
Bangkok, Thailand.

The Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator is a new, full-time post for an
HIV-positive woman who is an experienced networker, fundraiser, advocate and
strategic thinker, who can lead the development of ICW in the region as a strong
advocacy platform for women living with HIV.

The contract is initially for 12 months. The post-holder will be expected to
scope the feasibility and the added-value of ICW in the region, and to make
recommendations for the ongoing development of ICW Asia Pacific funding,
structure, staffing, office location/s and strategy beyond the initial 12 month
period. We expect the post to continue, subject to those recommendations, after
the initial contract.

If the Application forms and job description are not attached herewith, they can
be downloaded from the ICW website (http://www.icw.org/node/350) or requested
from jobs@...,

and should be returned to ICW by the deadline by email (jobs@...) marked
“ICW Asia Pacific 2008”.

CVs sent without application forms will not be accepted.
Deadline for applications: 20 March 2008

Shiba
e-mail: <shiba@...>

amfAR MSM Initiative Community Awards – Requests for Proposals

amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is pleased to announce the availability
of funding to support efforts to address HIV among men who have sex with men
(MSM). The MSM Initiative is soliciting proposals from Latin America and the
Asia Pacific region.

Applications must be received no later than 15 April 2008 for Latin America or 6
May 2008 for Asia and the Pacific.

Applicants are advised to review the entire Request for Proposals (RFP) for more
information about the MSM initiative and the MSM Community Awards, and
application and eligibility requirements.

The current RFPs are posted at http://www.amfar.org/msm/awards.

If you have questions or need assistance in completing your application, please
feel free to contact amfAR at msm.awards@....

The MSM Initiative, launched in 2007 and in partnership with the Global Forum on
MSM & HIV and UNAIDS, has three global objectives:
- Supporting frontline organizations and networks working to address HIV among
MSM;
- Supporting research to build understanding HIV epidemics and interventions
among MSM;
- Supporting effective policies and increased public funding for HIV prevention
and treatment efforts among MSM.

Eligible organizations are invited to apply for a one-year funding award to
support activities related to addressing HIV among MSM. Single organizations may
apply for up to $15,000 USD; collaborations may apply for up to $40,000 USD.

It is anticipated that funding decisions will be announced in August 2008.
Projects that are approved for funding can be expected to receive funds to begin
activities as early as September 2008.

Information about the goals and objectives of the MSM Initiative can be found at
http://www.amfar.org/msm.

Please feel free to forward this message to colleagues who may also be
interested.

amfAR MSM Initative
e-mail: <msm.awards@...>

Dear all:

Please notice that Global Fund Round 8 application has been launched, and the
deadline of proposal submission will be July 1, 12:00 Geneva Time. Please
download the proposal guidelines and propose forms at
http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/apply/call8/.

Please also notice that in order to facilitate the applicants' understanding on
Global Fund policies, the Global Fund Secretariat has prepared several Fact
Sheets, which can be downloaded from the above link under the column:

Round 8 FAQ Coming Soon
Community Systems Strengthening Fact-sheet
Dual Track Financing
Fact-sheet
Gender Fact-sheet
Grant Consolidation
Fact-sheet
Health Systems Strengthening Fact-sheet

I recommend all the applicants read the Fact-Sheets carefully. The documents
will be provided in English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, French and Arabic.

If you find any documents  can not be downloaded, please write to me:
liangyanyan@...

I will forward the problems to the Global Fund Secretariat as soon as possible.
For Round 8, I also strongly advocate the participation of civil society into
the proposal development.

And I suggest consultation held by civil society organizations, especially by
CCM member representing civil society at different levels. Furthermore, it is
recommended by the Global Fund that the prevention and control in the most
vulnerable populations should be discussed and addressed during the application
process [fill the gap].

The Global Fund Secretariat also has opened forums at MyGlobalfund.org.

Those who would like to discuss topics on the Global Fund can login and join the
online discussion.

http://myglobalfund.org/forums/203.aspx.

Linda Liang
China
The member for the Developing Countries NGO Delegation to the Global Fund Board
e-mail: <liangyanyan@...>

Mumbai helpline counsels AIDS patients from Dubai, China

March 2nd, 2008 - By Prashant K. Nanda

Mumbai, March 2 (IANS) "I have tested HIV positive, how will I face
my family?" asks a voice from Dubai on telephone. From a clean
basement in a dingy building here, a counsellor answers the question.

Counsellors at Population Service International (PSI) also guide AIDS
patients from China, Singapore and the Gulf on how to live a better
life.

"Since sex is a taboo topic, people prefer talking to a counsellor
over phone than face to face. We sincerely protect the identity of
the caller and, through non-judgmental tele-counselling, increase his
comfort level to discuss his concerns," said Kalpana, a counsellor
with the philanthropic body.

"We develop a risk reduction plan and motivate them to go for
voluntary counselling, testing services and follow a sincere medicine
and good nutrition habit," she told IANS.

Anirbana Mitra, senior programme manager of PSI, said an HIV/AIDS
advocacy group, Hero's Project, had promoted PSI's number through
Star TV bouquet whose channels are beamed in several countries.

"Because of promotion we have been getting calls from outside. Most
of the callers are people who have some connection with India. We
have even received calls from the United States and Pakistan," Mitra
said.

He, however, said that a majority of the calls were from India. The
helpline (91)22-23892222 gets nearly 25 calls a day. The general age
group of callers is 18-45 years.

Currently operational six days a week, the helpline provide health
information and counselling on issues like HIV/AIDS, sexually
transmitted diseases, contraception and safe sex practices.

Kalpana said all kinds of people - from daily wage labourers to
executives - call it and ask all kinds of questions. She said many
people are not aware about the cause of HIV/AIDS and ask question
like "I know kissing cannot get me pregnant but can I get AIDS? I am
not sure."

She said the callers talk openly about their family and relationships.
"It's really tough to listen to so many sad stories but as
counsellors we give them proper guidance so that they can live
happily or at least with less suffering.

"We never disclose the identity of our callers. We give everyone a
code number and whenever he calls for further assistance, the
counsellor concerned talks to him or her," she added.

So how do the counsellors relieve themselves after listening to so
many stories of sorrow and suffering?

"It's really tough to behave normally after listening to so many
people sharing their pain. But as conscious humans we talk to each
and prepare ourselves for another fresh day. It's the fun of our
job," added another counsellor on condition of anonymity.

Since its inauguration in January 2003, the PSI Mumbai helpline has
attended over 100,000 calls. Now the organisation is using software
that writes the conversion between a counsellor and a caller on the
computer.

Mumbai is one of the HIV/AIDS high-risk metropolitan cities of India
and the disease prevalence rate is as high as one percent among
pregnant women at antenatal clinics. Nearly 45 percent of women in
Mumbai's infamous red light area Kamathipura are HIV positive.

India has over 2.5 million HIV/AIDS patients.

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/mumbai-helpline-
counsels-aids-patients-from-dubai-china_10023062.html

HIV blowout in Victoria: study

Monday March 3, 06:57 AM

Rates of HIV infection will jump 75 per cent in Victoria and
significantly increase in Queensland in the next seven years if
current trends continue, a new report predicts.

But rates will slide in NSW and remain stable elsewhere, according to
new mathematical modelling released by the National Centre in HIV
Epidemiology and Clinical Research.

The major study found an increase in risky unprotected sex and the
rise in sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) was probably behind
the increase in HIV transmissions among gay men seen since 1999.
The study predicts that if the current trend continues, rates of HIV
will increase by 73 per cent in Victoria and 20 per cent in
Queensland by 2015, while NSW will decrease.

"While the raw numbers are not as large as they were at the peak of
the HIV/AIDS crisis in 1988, this is a worrying trend," said lead
investigator and HIV mathematical modelling expert David Wilson.

Dr Wilson said most new infections were happening in these three
states.

Researchers had assumed that a trend towards declining condom use in
some states was responsible for the geographic differences.

But the new report suggests that increasing rates of STIs like
chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhoea could, in fact, be a major driver
of the HIV increase.

STIs are known to increase the susceptibility of HIV transmission in
heterosexuals, Dr Wilson said.

"If an HIV positive person has an STI, it is two to five times more
likely that they will transmit the virus," he said.

"On the other side of the equation, there is also a greater
likelihood that a person will become HIV positive if they have an
STI."

The report calls for more promotion in condom use as this would stop
both HIV transmission through unprotected sex, as well as limit
transmission of STIs.

"Heightened surveillance and targeting of other STIs could also be
important and warrants serious consideration," he said.

Meanwhile, the study also found that almost one-in-five transmissions
among gay men were attributable to the three per cent of men who have
been recently infected.

This is when the levels of virus are highest in the body.

Furthermore, almost one-in-three new infections were transmitted by
the 13 per cent of men who have undiagnosed HIV.

A recent survey by the centre found that 12,313 Australians were
infected with the lifetime disease between 1993 and 2006.

The number of new infections dropped 30 per cent in the 1990s and
then climbed back up between 2000 and 2006.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/080219/2/15vxp.html

INVITATION  AIDS ASIA e FORUM.

Hi,

If you are already a member of this FOURM please forward this message to your
colleagues who may find this FORUM useful.

[AIDS ASIA eFORUM] is an e- forum committed to the development of an Asian
perspective on AIDS prevention and care issues. HIV/AIDS does not recognize
national boundaries. As Asia- pacific countries are increasingly interconnected
through migration and trade, it is imperative to generate a regional perspective
on HIV/AIDS related issues.

A forum for critical analysis of issues, events and programs, which has
implications on, our ability to address HIV/AIDS prevention and care issues
across the region. More than 7,600 subscribers are using this FORUM.

Strategic HIV information and communication support to promote the capacity of
Asian leaders, activists and people living with HIV/AIDS, to facilitate their
engagement and networking, to highlight their experiences and the solutions they
are offering to address HIV/AIDS issues in this region.

A cross cultural discourse on issues and concerns of Asia- Pacific countries
(regions): Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China,
East Timor, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Marshall
Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, North Korea,
Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon
Islands, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and
Viet Nam will be presented and promoted on this forum.

Please review the archived messages on the following url

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AIDS_ASIA/

Dr. Joe Thomas
Editor
AIDS ASIA e FORUM
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AIDS_ASIA/

HIV, hepatitis scare may affect 40,000 US clinic patients

by Tangi Quemener, Thu Feb 28, 4:58 PM ET

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - US officials Thursday said 40,000 people may have been
infected with HIV and hepatitis in a major health scare after a Las Vegas clinic
was found to have re-used syringes and medicine vials.

Authorities in southern Nevada said they were notifying some 40,000 patients who
received anesthesia injections at the clinic's endoscopy center between March
2004 and January 11, 2008 about potential exposure to hepatitis and HIV.

They recommended in a statement that the patients "contact their primary care
physicians or health care providers to get tested for hepatitis C as well as
hepatitis B and HIV."

The move comes after several acute cases of hepatitis C showed up in the area.
Six people have been diagnosed with the disease since January, which is three
times higher than the yearly average for the Las Vegas region.

The three first cases came to light in January, and three other patients were
subsequently found to have been infected with hepatitis C.

Five of the infected people all received anesthesia injections on the same day
in the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada in the sprawling city of Las Vegas.

No cases of HIV or hepatitis B infections related to the clinic's practices have
been detected yet, authorities said.

After an investigation, "the health district determined that unsafe injection
practices related to the administration of anesthesia medication might have
exposed patients to the blood of other patients," it said.

"The joint investigation identified the re-use of syringes (not needles) and the
use of single dose vials of anesthesia medication on multiple patients as the
potential sources of contamination."

Action has since been taken by the clinic to end such practices.

"It appears the injection practices that can lead to the transmission of
hepatitis C and other bloodborne infections have been occurring at this clinic
for several years," said chief health officer Lawrence Sands.

"We are recommending all patients during this timeframe to get tested because we
cannot determine which patients may have been exposed."

Hepatitis C can result in severe liver damage, but the symptoms may not show up
for several years so even if patients are feeling well they should be tested, he
warned.

The health authorities added however that the risk to the general population was
low as hepatitis cannot be spread by casual contact.

The clinic said in a statement that it has taken corrective measures.

"On behalf of the Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada, we want to express our
deep concern about this incident to the many patients who have put their trust
in us over the years," the statement read.

"As always, our patients remain our primary responsibility and we have already
corrected the situation," officials at the facility said.

"We have already taken steps to ensure that it will never happen again ... We
want to be sure that every patient who may have been exposed is informed and
tested."

The Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada said it was working with "nationally
renowned experts who have extensive epidemiological experience" on how best to
proceed, as it tried to tamp down public fears.

"We wish to emphasize that the actual risk of anyone being affected by this is
extremely low, but as a precaution, anyone who has undergone procedures at the
Endoscopy Center who required anesthesia should be tested."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080228/hl_afp/healthusaids

[ADB, Roads, and HIV and AIDS A Resource Book for the Transport Sector. ADB,
Roads, and HIV and AIDS A resource book for the transport sector is available on
the ADB web site. This resource book wants to help ADB staff and other key
players in the transport sector to design and implement more effective HIV/AIDS
programs in the transport sector projects. It also asks decision makers to
become more attentive to the risks and opportunities to fight the spread of HIV,
guiding them in finding solutions that will reduce the negative impact of
transport programs. The resource book was launched on ADB's World AIDS Day
celebration, 3 December 2007. And published on  1st February 2008.
http://www.adb.org/Documents/Books/ADB-HIV-Toolkit/ADB-HIV-Toolkit.pdf
Editor: AIDS ASIA e FORUM]
_____________

ADB says transport spending may increase AIDS in Asia
12 hours ago

MANILA (AFP) — Massive Asian Development Bank lending to the region's
transport sector may be helping drive the spread of AIDS across the
world's most populous continent, the bank said in a study released
Thursday.

It cited 16 percent prevalence rates of the HIV virus that causes
AIDS along one particular transport route in southern India, compared
with less than one percent nationwide.

In Bangladesh, long-distance truck drivers had the highest HIV rates
among the general population, while in China the incidence of
sexually transmitted diseases among truckers was up to four times
that in the population at large.

The Mandalay-Muse highway, built in 1997 to link Myanmar with China,
has led to an increase in drug use, dramatically raising HIV rates
among injecting drug users in three Myanmar provinces, the study said.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said that construction, especially
large infrastructure projects, draws a large influx of men into rural
areas, and along with attracting cash, boosts the demand for sex.

Commercial sex work and the trafficking of drugs and humans,
particularly women and girls for sex work, also follow major
construction projects and transport routes, the study said.
"Better roads bring many benefits but also increase risks through
greater mobility and connectivity," the ADB said.

"Mobile people, especially 'mobile men with money' are more likely to
engage in risk behaviours such as unprotected sex with casual
partners and sex workers, and drug use," the Manila-based lender said.
The ADB said it was now integrating prevention, education and
treatment programmes into its infrastructure programmes.

Transport and infrastructure development is now the largest and
fastest-growing sector of the ADB's operations, accounting for 33
percent of all its lending in the six years to 2005.

The United Nations estimates 5.4 million people live with HIV/AIDS in
the Asia-Pacific region, with nearly a million new infections in the
past two years, and with injecting drug use the main driver of the
epidemic, the study said.

About 640,000 people have died from AIDS-related diseases in the
continent.

HIV is considered a "generalised epidemic" in Cambodia, Thailand,
Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, and six states of India, and is
a "concentrated epidemic" among defined sub-populations in Indonesia,
Nepal, Malaysia, Vietnam and China.

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5g_GnaQRGbkv-vnQrxox6HQOAH1vQ

Dear All,

The following is a Call for Nominations for one new CIVIL SOCIETY member on the
Conference Coordinating Committee of the International AIDS Conference in 2010
and 2012.

Please feel free to publicise the invitation at your websites and circulate to
your networks.

"Mauro Guarinieri"
e-mail: <mauro.guarinieri@...>
_______________________

Call for Nominations for one new CIVIL SOCIETY member on the
Conference Coordinating Committee of the International AIDS Conference in 2010
and 2012
_____________________________________________________________________

This is a Call for Nominations for a new Civil Society member of the Conference
Coordinating Committee (CCC) of the International AIDS Conference (IAC) for the
next two conferences (2010 - Vienna,  and 2012 – to be determined).  The
deadline for submission of a nomination is April 10, 2008,

This available seat is to be filled by either a global civil society
organisation with HIV and AIDS as a major activity, or a civil society
organisation based in a resource-limited country that is working in several
countries or on a whole continent.

The new CCC member will replace one of the existing (AIDS2008) civil society
members; the World Young Women’s Christian Association or the Asian Harm
Reduction Network. The selection committee will also decide which of these two
members will continue their term for AIDS2010, based on an assessment of their
role in AIDS2008 and balanced against the nominees for the replacement seat..

A Civil Society seat on the CCC is for an organisation, though the organisation
will be required to designate a representative.  It is expected that this
representative remains the same during tenure of the seat in order to preserve
institutional memory within the CCC. Organisational support for this
representative is critical in carrying out this conference co-organiser role.

The highest governing body for the International AIDS Conferences is the
Conference Coordinating Committee (CCC), being ultimately responsible for the
theme, vision, policies and programme of the Conference.

Invitation to apply will be published on the AIDS2008 website, the web sites and
networks of the international partners of the IAC, and through list serves.
Deadline for applications is April 10, 2008.

1. Selection Process

a. A Selection committee has been formed to review the applications. The
Selection Committee includes:

• Julio Montaner, IAS President-elect
• Craig, McClure IAS ED
• Peter Reiss, IAS Regional Rep
• Mauro Guarinieri, GNP+
• Beri Hull, ICW
• Kieran Daly, ICASO
• Kate Thompson, UNAIDS
• Andrew Ball (TBN)
• Robin Jackson, WFP
• 3 independent civil society/community reps

The Secretary of the Committee is Mats Ahnlund, the Conference Director.

b.  The applications will then be reviewed virtually by the Selection Committee
using the selection criteria given below (see section 3) and a scoring system of
1 to 5 (from not meeting the criteria to fully meeting the criteria),

c. A teleconference of the Selection Committee will be held at the beginning of
May to select the new member based on the scoring and taking into consideration
balance based on regional, issues-based, and constituency representation within
the current civil society members of the CCC. The Committee will also decide
which of the two current partners, WYWCA or AHRN, will continue for the next
conference (AIDS 2010).  This will be based on a review of their participation
in the CCC for AIDS2008 and the overall balance of representation against
nominations and existing members..

5. Following verification the decision will be communicated within one week to
the selected civil society organisation for them to confirm their acceptance to
be on the CCC.

6. Within one week of this confirmation, the decision will then be communicated
widely on listserves and through the international partner’s networks.  This
will include a description of the selection process (including criteria and
selection committee), the name of the selected organisation and their contact
details.

2. Key Tasks and Functions

The selected organization will be entitled to send one person to the CCC
meetings preceding the Conference, normally 5-6 meetings in person, usually 1-2
days each time. All costs to attend the meetings will be covered by the
Conference.

The key tasks and functions of the CCC are:

• To determine the theme, vision and content of the conference.
• To review progress towards achievement of conference objectives.
• To build on positive outcomes and address weaker points of previous IACs to
ensure constant improvement.
• To provide input into the conference budget.
• To approve any proposed projects that will be linked to the conference but
funded from other sources than the conference budget.
• To help promote the conference.
• To select and approve plenary and special session speakers.
• To review and approve the recommendations of the Programme Committees as well
as making the final setting of the “non abstract-driven” sessions.
• To approve all co-chairs and members of the three Programme Committees and the
Track Committee co-chairs.
• To approve the format and content of the opening and closing ceremonies.
• To determine the International Scholarship Programme profile and approve
members of the Scholarship Working Group (SWG).
• To review the outcomes of the conference.

3. Qualifications and Criteria for Selection

Based on the functions (above) and on general human rights principles, the
selection committee will consider the following general criteria for the
nominated Civil Society organisation:

A. Proven commitment to:
i. the Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV and AIDS (GIPA).
ii. the full realization of human rights, including those related to the most
marginalized populations and PLHIV, in particular to principle of
non-discrimination.
iii. gender equity, the empowerment of women and the protection and promotion of
their human rights and fundamental freedoms, including their sexual and
reproductive rights.
iv. evidence-based policies, programs and interventions that support good
practices and are not contrary to scientific evidence of effective HIV/AIDS
interventions; including those that are based on cultural/religious beliefs
and/or violate basic human rights principles.

B. Have a minimum of 5 years experience working on HIV/AIDS issues.
C. Commitment to encourage and support enhanced community participation in the
IAC, particularly of those representing and/or working with the most
marginalized and vulnerable;
D. Ability and commitment to represent and promote the IAC publicly;
E. Be a registered organisation, with good governance procedures (e.g. Board of
Directors that meets regularly) and transparent and accountable financial
reporting systems.
F. Ability to communicate and network effectively and broadly (with clearly
functioning communication linkages) at a regional and/or global level.
G. Ability to facilitate the development of, and adherence to, processes that
ensure transparency and accountability between the CCC and Civil
Society/community sector generally;
H. The representative of the organization has the ability to work in written and
spoken English (additional languages are greatly desired);
I. Assurance that the organization will commit a staff member for IAC related
duties, if selected.
J. Demonstrated experience and willingness to assume responsibility for carrying
out the tasks as described above;
K. Is either a global civil society organisation with HIV and AIDS as a major
activity, or a civil society organisation based in a resource-limited country
that is working in several countries or on a whole continent.

4. Application Process

Organisations wishing to apply to be a civil society member of the CCC should
prepare and submit an application by April 10, 2008.  This should show evidence
of how  your organization meets the criteria given in section 3 above, in
addition to the following specific information:

Organization’s details: Name of organization, address, email address, phone
number

Contact person’s details, Name, Position/title, E-mail address, Direct contact
phone number.

Basic facts
a) How is your organization structured (e.g. a network, individual membership),
and if you have members, how many does your organization have?
b) How many staff do you have, and please indicate the name and title of the
person that is heading the staff?
c) Annual turnover in USD?
d) What countries does your organization you work in?
e) What are the objectives/mission of your organization?

HIV/AIDS track record
a) What type of HIV/AIDS activities do you work with?
b) How big part of your overall activity is the HIV/AIDS work: small, around
half, more than half, 100%.

International AIDS Conference
a) Has your organization participated in previous international AIDS
conferences. If so, in what way ?
b) What would your organisation contribute as a member of the CCC?

References
•  Two letters of reference from relevant organizations other than your own (1
page per reference only). The reference letters must be signed and on
letterhead.

The International AIDS Society (IAS) will serve as a mailbox for applications.
Please send applications with all required information to:   (Person), IAS
E-mail: partner@...
Fax: + 41 22 7100899
(email submissions preferred)

Funding, Community Partnerships Key to Successful Microbicides Clinical Trials

By Sonal Singh Wadhwa

New Delhi – Large and new funding sources coupled with community
partnerships are essential components of sustainable, long-term
strategy for achieving success in developing microbicides products,
said experts on Wednesday.

Microbicides are products such as gels, creams, suppositories or a
long lasting vaginal ring can be applied vaginally or anally to
prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and especially
HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Piot, the Executive Director, UNAIDS,  pointed out that while the
sources of funding for microbicides research have increased
significantly as compared to previous years, new areas for funds are
critical to ensure success in trials.

A major challenge that researchers in the microbicides field face is
the lack of funding from pharmaceutical majors.

"Until there are successful trials, we should work on attracting new
sources of funding," Piot said. "Tell funders that this is a long
term process."

Experts called attention to the fact that effective communication
with the targeted community on the design and details of clinical
trials should be built into the strategy from the beginning of the
experimental process.

Microbicides research and trials have often come under fire for their
unwillingness to provide information on side effects and the lack of
provision of health insurance to treat those side effects post the
completion of the study.

"Standard of care remains important," said Dr. Gita Ramjee of the
Medical Research Council of South Africa. "Consent (of those person
involved in the trial) is important."

"ARV therapy should be available for all participating in the
trials," said Dr. Piot.

Experts said that key findings from the conference included that
community partnerships are critical to the success of clinical trials
of microbicides products. In addition, it is increasingly important
to manage expectations of all stakeholders.

"We need to rethink what we communicate about the trials and what we
hope to achieve. Lets not over hype," Dr. Piot said.

An essential component of a worldwide strategy for successful
microbicides trials would be a "down selection" to identify which
microbicides product should go to the next level of trial, keeping in
mind the expected outcome and the cost efficiencies.

Dr. Piot emphasized that women need to be at the center of all
research pertaining to microbicides. The UNAIDS estimates that nearly
50% of all those infected by HIV worldwide are women.

According to Dr. N.K. Ganguly, Director General, Indian Council of
Medical Research, the majority of women infected with HIV are
married, in monogamous relationships, and going to anti-natal
clinics. The findings showed that while men increasingly use condoms
with commercial sex workers, they desist from doing so with their
partners.

At present, there is no cure or vaccine against HIV/AIDS, and
prevention of sexual transmission of the disease depends largely on
the use of condoms or abstinence.

A vaginal gel will allow women to protect themselves from HIV and
other diseases without having to rely on their partners' decision to
wear or not wear a condom.

"Allow women to control their own destiny and the only way to do that
is through microbicides," said Dr. Kapil Sibal, India's Union
Minister for Science and Technology and ocean development.

First Mother Teresa awards for anti-AIDS crusaders
26 Feb 2008, 2046 hrs IST , ANI

NEW DELHI: The first Mother Teresa International Humanitarian Awards
were presented at New Delhi's Taj Mahal Hotel on Tuesday.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the
Catholic Bishops' Conference of India Health Commission (CBCI) had
organised the event.

The awards were presented to Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director, The
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and Ambassador
Dr. Mark Dybul, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator of the U.S. President's
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, by Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, the
past President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India.

Dr. George Deikun, Mission Director USAID accepted the award on
behalf of Ambassador Mark Dybul.

The main objective of these awards is to acknowledge and recognize
individuals who had demonstrated the same humanitarian concerns
exemplified by Mother Teresa.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mother_Teresa_awards_announced/arti
cleshow/2817322.cms

ALERT: The Global Fund Round 8 to be Launched Shortly

The Global Fund will issue its "Round 8" Call for Proposals on March
1, less than a week from now. Details will be provided at the Fund's
website, www.theglobalfund.org.

As soon as possible thereafter, the second and final volume of
the "Aidspan Guide to Round 8 Applications to the Global Fund" will
be released. Volume 2 ("The Applications Process and the Proposal
Form") will contain information on the Round 8 applications process;
will include a chapter on what is new for Round 8; and will provide
step-by-step guidance on how to fill out the Round 8 proposal form.

Volume 2 will be posted first in English and then, as soon as the
translations can be completed, also in French and Spanish.
Volume 1 ("Getting a Head Start") is already posted in English,
French and Spanish at www.aidspan.org/guides, where various other
Aidspan guides are also available. Among other things, Volume 1
provides guidance on how CCMs can manage the proposal development
process, including the process of soliciting in-country submissions.

It also includes an extensive analysis of the strengths and
weaknesses of proposals submitted in previous rounds of funding
(based on comments by the Technical Review Panel).

Reproduced from the Global Fund Observer Newsletter
(www.aidspan.org/gfo), a service of Aidspan.