Welcome! to the first edition of SHARE, a quarterly review of HIV/AIDS-related news across sectors. SHARE is brought to you by the networking team at HIVAN, the Centre for HIV/AIDS Networking. We are:

At HIVAN we strive to facilitate effective HIV/AIDS-related research, training and intervention in KwaZulu-Natal; build knowledge; bridge gaps and promote collaboration within and between sectors. Communication is important in this process. We organise intra- and inter-sectoral HIV/AIDS forums and encourage information-sharing. In this way, we assist organisations, individuals, government, academic institutions and businesses to strengthen their partnerships.

HIVAN networks through this review, in face-to-face forums, and via Sondela, our community-focused newsletter. HIVAN's colourful and user-friendly website provides a searchable database of over 1200 organisations and individuals involved in HIV/AIDS in KZN. It features regular news updates, event and conference details, sector-specific information, updates on multi-sector partnerships, and links to other useful websites.

Join our database! Add yourself and your organisation to the HIVAN network by completing the online form at hivan.org.za or contact us and we will gladly send you a form:

Telephone: (031) 260 4653
Facsimile: (031) 260 4623
You can also write to us at:
HIVAN (Centre for HIV/AIDS Networking),
University of Natal, Private Bag 7,
Congella 4013

We hope that you enjoy this first issue of SHARE. We welcome your comments and suggestions and invite you to send us your news!

Best wishes, Nicci, Jo & Fathima

GOOD NEWS! The next issue will be in English and Zulu

NGO Sector
What's happening?

The HIVAN networking team co-hosts monthly seminars with the Medical Research Council (MRC) in Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Mtunzini. This quarter, seminar topics focused on: informed consent issues in vaccine trials, employee rights, and the economic impact of HIV/AIDS. Details of upcoming presentations are highlighted in our Events Diary. Check the KZN MRC AIDS Forum Mini-site on HIVAN's website for more details. The mini-site includes all issues of E-News (the Forum newsletter), the MRC KZN AIDS Forum database, forum transcripts, photographs and media coverage of the AIDS Forums.

Faith-Based Sector
Newsflash

The HIVAN networking team collaborates with the Interfaith World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP) in co-hosting four quarterly forums. The forum series was created in 2002 to generate constructive debate between religious leaders and HIV/AIDS researchers in KZN. The themes for March, May and August 2003 were respectively: "Morals and Messaging in the fight against HIV/AIDS", "FBOs in Action - Best Practices"and "African Traditional Medicine".

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What's New
Hard-copy resources

HIVAN joined forces with the KZN Church AIDS Network (KZNCAN) in April 2003 to launch an HIV/AIDS Directory which lists 600 service provides in the field. HIVAN also produced a detailed resource booklet on the theme: "Working towards Healthier Communities" for the Annual Conference of the African Forum of Faith-Based Organisations in Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS held on 6 and 7 May 2003.

The KZNCAN Directory and resource booklet can be obtained from our FBO networker:
Fathima Abdulla
E-mail: [email protected]
Post: HIVAN (Centre for HIV/AIDS Networking), Private Bag 7, Congella 4013

Community Focus
Did you know?

VACCINE TRIALS: Community Involvement
HIVAN's networking team is represented on the MRC?s Vaccine Trials Unit Community Advisory Board (CAB) Executive. The CAB works with the MRC site co-ordinator and community outreach personnel to facilitate communication between the researchers and the broader community.

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National Government
What's up?

HIV/AIDS BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS this year
The budget speech delivered by Trevor Manuel in February 2003 indicated a dramatic increase in funds to the government's HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections Strategic Plan (2000-2005).

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The Private Sector
It's the Law!

What does the law say about HIV/AIDS in the workplace? In this issue of share, we look at how South African labour legislation relates to two topics in particular: discrimination and HIV testing.

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Local Authority
What can you do to ensure that plans and budgets address HIV/AIDS?

The Municipal Systems Act (No 32 of 2000) compels local authorities to be transparent, consultative and developmental in their approach to services, including public health care. In response, eThekwini Council has developed a Long Term Development Framework (LTDF) and an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for the UniCity. The LTDF maps strategic vision for the UniCity over a 20-year period (i.e. until 2020) and, together with the IDP, identifies development-focused priorities for a five-year period (i.e. 2002-2006).

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Academic News
Sharing across disciplines

The Networking team collaborates with the Department of Community Health and the Harvard Enhancing Care Initiative (ECI) to co-host a Public Health HIV/AIDS Journal Club series.

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Events Diary

Click here for the full list of events

Read about it

"LETTING THEM DIE" HOW HIV/AIDS PREVENTION PROGRAMMES OFTEN FAIL
by Catherine Campbell

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