Abstract Book Vol. 2 [International Conference on AIDS (14th: 2002: Barcelona, Spain)]

646 Abstracts ThPpG2166-ThPeG8233

XIV International AIDS Conference

ThPpG2166 Twinning between the Reseau Afrique 2000
organisations and local chapters of AIDES in
France
N. Griere1, M. Mensah2, S. Simonpietri3, M. Somda4. 1AIDES
Poitou-Charentes, Pantin, France; 2Action contre le sida, Lome, Togo; 3AIDES
provence, Marseille, France; 4REVS +, Bobo dioulasso, Burkina Faso
Issues: AIDES launched a program in Africa in 1996 and built partnerships with
community-based organisations in sub saharan Africa. Today, AIDES works with
15 organisations located in seven countries. In 1999, the AIDES headquarters
implemented twinning programs, between these organisations and its local chapters, which aimed at a mutual reinforcement of abilities and skills. In 2001, eight
twinning partnerships were effective.
Description: A continuous training of volunteers involved in the international field
and the evaluation of material and human abilities to implement a twinning program at local level in France are the key components of a successful action. When
possible these volunteers were involved in the field missions led by the headquarters in order to strenghen the complementarity of both actions. Twinning is
mainly based on information exchanges, documentation and drug support, training sessions in France and/or in Africa and implementation of internships within
the AIDES network.
Lessons learned: African organisations can therefore benefit from a specific
support; local chapters can transfer skills and know-how and get involved in an
international activity; AIDES headquarters are then able to satisfy more demands
from its African partners.
Actions can only be developed when based on the evaluation of African organisations' needs and on a real dialogue between partners in order to implement an
adequate activity.
Recommendations: It is now important to strenghen the activity by implementing
more trainning sessions (on therapeutics, prevention, management) and financial
support for drugs purchase, but also to reinforce our evaluation system. It is crucial to keep a community-based approach to better meet the needs of PLWAs.
Presenting author: Estelle TIPHONNET, AIDES, Tour Essor, 14 rue scandicci,
93500, Pantin, France, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail:
[email protected]
ThPpG2167 The New York link: a model of PWA leadership
development
J. Pedraza1, B. Cicatelli1, H. Cruz2. 1 Cicatelli Associates Inc., 505 Eighth
Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10018, United States; 2New York State Dept
of Health AIDS Institute, New York, United States
Issues The Caribbean Region has the highest incidence of HIV reported after
Sub-Saharan Africa. The rate of HIV/AIDS is increasing among Central American
countries, currently ranging from 0.5% to over 2.0%. Caribbean/C. Am. immigrant populations in New York City have increased dramatically over the last few
decades. Given the prevalence of HIV in the Caribbean/C. Am. and the lack of
success of health services reaching these communities in NYC, there is concern
for the increased spread of HIV among these immigrant communities in NYC.
Project Description The NY LINK is a horizontal resource exchange project between NYC CBOs working with immigrants from the Caribbean/C. Am.and their
counterparts conducting similar activities in their respective countries. The NY
LINK develops strategic alliances among NYC CBOs, PWAs, and NGOs in the
Caribbean/C. Am., health departments, and others committed to improving the
lives of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Lessons Learned PWA leadership has become a common term used in PWA
empowerment and mobilization efforts. Implementing a program, however, that
develops PWA leadership capacity and, most importantly, provides PWAs an opportunity to utilize their leadership skills, requires a collaborative effort between
PWAs, healthcare providers, community organizations, and government agencies. A priority of the NY LINK is the development of PWA leadership capacity in
Caribbean and C. Am. countries. Through the joint efforts of Cicatelli Associates
Inc. and its partner agencies, several participating PWAs have increased their
involvement and leadership roles in their countries.
Recommendations While PWA leadership development and empowerment is
essential for improving the quality of life for PWAs, they cannot succeed alone.
Without the collaborative support of government, healthcare providers, funders
and community organizations, PWA leadership development will have limited success.
Presenting author: Banghee Chi, 505 Eighth Avenue, 16th Floor, New York,
NY 10018, United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail:
[email protected]
ThPpG2168 Information exchange and skills development
through twinning partnerships among AIDS

service organisations in 8 counties
M. O'Connor1, R. Forbes1, A. Lunnar2, W. O'Briain3. Interagency Coalition on
AIDS and Development (ICAD), 1 Nicholas Street Suite 726, Ottawa, ON, K1N
1 Y1, Canada; 2Red Mexicana de Personas que Viven con VIH/SIDA, Mexico,
Mexico; 3AIDS Vancouver, Vancouver, Canada
Issues: Innovative and cost effective ways to encourage the exchange of skills,
knowledge and expertise around AIDS issues are needed. Twinning between

AIDS service organisations from different countries is increasingly being recognized as a way of developing the capacity and skills of community-based
HIV/AIDS organizations. This project provides a model for these exchanges, and
reports on lessons learned during the pilot phase.
Descriptions: Seven AIDS service organisations from Canada, partnered with
like-minded organizations in Poland, Belarus, South Africa, India, Guyana, Jamaica and Mexico to carry out projects of mutual interest, over a nine-month
period in 2001. The organisations involved in the "partnerships" ranged from front
line service delivery groups to national advocacy and policy research organisations. A variety of activities were undertaken including the exchange of personnel, the development of resource materials and assistance in establishing new
networks and regional institutions.
Lessons learned: In July 2001, a workshop was held in Montreal for 20 partners.
It evaluated the program and documented the lessons learned. These included:
1. The benefits to both organizations within the relationships needs to be clearly
defined and understood
2. In kind contributions to the partnerships are as important as the direct financial
support
3. Commitment to the partnership on the part of senior management and boards
is important
4. A joint monitoring and evaluation framework should be built into the project at
the outset
5. Good communications and cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity is critical
Recommendations: Twinning is a valuable and cost-effective model which can
be replicated in other settings to enhance prevention, care, treatment and support programming by HIV/AIDS organisations. There is a need to provide mechanisms to facilitate and fund twinning partnerships and document experiences and
lessons learned.
Presenting author: Michael O'Connor, 1 Nicholas Street Suite 726, Ottawa, ON,
K1N 1Y1, Canada, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeG8232 Broadening of horizons: A training module on
human rights & HIV/AIDS
N.P. Simbulan. University of the Philippines Manila, College of Arts & Sciences,
University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
Issue: Poverty, unemployment, gender inequality, and the lack of political will on
the part of states to address the fundamental issues of economic and social inequities, have made people in developing countries vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.
Using a rights-based approach in addressing the HIV/AIDS problem is a recognition of the multidimensional nature of the epidemic. It signifies that the HIV/AIDS
problem is caused not only by the risky behaviors of individuals but more importantly, by structural factors and unequal power relations that contribute in making
people vulnerable to and/or acquire the disease.
Description: As a concrete step toward the promotion of a rights-based framework in HIV/AIDS work, a training module on HR and HIV/AIDS was developed.
The objective of the module is to raise the level of awareness and understanding
of HR and HIV/AIDS workers and people with HIV/AIDS on basic HR concepts,
principles, and their relevance and application to HIV/AIDS work
The training module is composed of 8 lessons ranging from topics like what are
human rights, human rights and HIV/AIDS, and HIV/AIDS and the state.
Lessons learned: The use of the training module on HR and HIV/AIDS is viewed
as an effective way of empowering individuals and groups engaged in prevention
work. It enables the target groups to view the HIV/AIDS problem from a holistic
perspective by highlighting the interrelationship between HIV/AIDS and HR. It requires adopting strategies that aim to empower people and communities so that
they are to live a life of dignity.
Recommendations: Basic orientation and education in HR should be integrated
into the various aspects of HIV/AIDS prevention work; the use of the human
rights-based framework in HIV/AIDS work should be strengthened through education and advocacy work among civil society groups especially in developing
countries.
Presenting author: Nymia Pimentel Simbulan, College of Arts & Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila, Padre Faura St., Ermita, Manila 1000, Philippines, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected].
ph
ThPeG8233 The conflicts and contradictions between National
AIDS Control Policy and the laws in force
impedes/jeopardises effective intervention with
Men who have Sex with Men, results in Human
rights abuses, and increases vulnerability to HIV
A. Bondyopadhyay. People for the Rights of Indian Sexual Minorities, 22/748
DDA Flats, Kalkaj, New Delhi, PIN: 110019, India

Issues: The progressive National AIDS Control Policy recognises the importance
of protecting and promoting the rights of MSM to reduce their vulnerability to HIV,
but the archaic anti sodomy and other laws in force are in conflict with this policy, rendering the National AIDS Control Organisation [NACO] impotent in dealing
with rights abuse, which impedes effective HIV/AIDS intervention.These laws increase vulnerability of MSM and promote abuse of their human and fundamental
rights, while preventing NACO from acting for fructifying it's good policies.