"Contentious Issues" - HIVAN/WCRP Religious Leaders and HIV/AIDS Researchers Forum - March 2004

“Questions you always wanted to ask your religious leader about HIV, but were too afraid to ask …? was the focus of a forum co-convened by HIVAN and the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP) at the first session of their 2004 series on 3 March at the Durban Jewish Centre in KwaZulu-Natal.

April 2004 ECI/HIVAN HIV/AIDS Public Health Journal Club

Dr Anisa Mosam, Mandisa Mbali and Annie Devenish presented at April’s Journal Club. Dr Mosam reviewed two articles, published in 2001 and 2003, on AIDS associated cancers in Sub-Saharan Africa and Kaposi’s sarcoma in Africa. Mandisa and Annie appraised recent literature on African tradiitonal healing practices around HIV/AIDS in South Africa. They focused on E.C. Green’s book Indigenous Theories of Contagious Disease and an article by A. Ashforth “An Epidemic of Witchcraft? The Implications of AIDS for the Post-Apartheid State?.

Spread the news - not the virus: UKZN action against AIDS stigma

"Nobody needs to live or die in isolation and misery. It's lack of information, understanding and support that kills." These were the words of Fezeka Khuzwayo, former University of KwaZulu-Natal student and HIV-positive social activist, when delivering the University Forum Lecture on Durban's Howard College Campus during its AIDS Action Week in April.

April 2004 WCRP-HIVAN Forum:“Deadly Myths?? Screening and Panel Discussion

Note for your diary: “Deadly Myths?? will be screened at the 25th International Film Festival to be held in Durban, June 2004. For more information, visit: http:// www.cca.ukzn.ac.za/ Durban_International_Film_Festival.htm. On 15 April 2004, HIVAN and the World Conference of Religion and Peace (WCRP) co-hosted a screening of a film produced in the form of a docu-drama by social anthropologist and HIVAN Deputy Director of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Jill Kruger, entitled “Deadly Myths??.

North and South Coast Community Forum Series - May 2004

HIVAN hosts a quarterly Community Forum series in the North and South Coast areas, at the Verulam Child Welfare Society and at the Shallcross Community Hall. The topic for the May sessions was: “ARV roll-out - Where are we??. Sindiswe Blose, the Assistant Co-ordinator of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) was the guest presenter.

Real People, Real Progress

Wednesday 18 May 2004 marked the seventh HIV Vaccine Awareness Day. This celebration is held annually following former US President Bill Clinton’s 1997 challenge to scientists to develop "the 21st century's first great triumph": a vaccine to prevent HIV infection. This year's theme "Real People, Real Progress" embodied a tribute to the thousands of volunteer participants and researchers involved internationally in the search for effective preventive HIV vaccines. The focus of this cross-country event was education and information-sharing.

HIVAN-WCRP Medical Researchers’ and Faithleaders’ Forum - May 2004: The A – Z of Anti-retroviral Therapy

In May 2004, interfaith leaders, medical researchers and community members in and around Durban joined together for a one-day workshop to share knowledge about anti-retroviral drug treatment and the roll-out of the ARV treatment programme in KZN. Hosted by partners HIVAN and the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP), the gathering focused on how religious groups could help people living with HIV and AIDS, the facts about how ARVs work, and how local health structures are targeting the most vulnerable patients for medication.

SAHARA Conference - 9-12 May 2004 - Cape Town ICC

SAHARA, or the Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS Research Alliance, is a resource network that facilitates social science research on HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.

HIVAN team in Bangkok

Eleven of HIVAN’s staff members will be jetting off to Bangkok, Thailand to participate in and present at the XV International AIDS Conference, during July 2004. The staff complement will be participating in the proceedings in a variety of ways: 10 poster presentations, 1 oral presentation, 1 film screening and an NGO booth. Professor Jerry Coovadia, HIVAN’s Director: BioMedical Sciences, will be attending as a representative of Africa for the general council of the International AIDS Conference.

WCRP/HIVAN Forum - Gender and Violence

Programme Director: Pramda Ramasar – lecturer in business and professional ethics (Hindu faith). Panelists: Dr Shakira Cassim – family GP and members of the Islamic Medical Association; Thuli Hlatswayo -Anglican Church, Moeti Lesuthu - PACSA and Sizwe Mchunu - TAI (Targeted AIDS Interventions).