IRIN PlusNews Weekly Issue 266, 13 January 2006

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AFRICA: IRIN PlusNews Weekly Issue 266, 13 January 2006

NEWS

SOUTH AFRICA: Khomanani adds a new twist to love on Valentine's Day

TANZANIA: Roman Catholic bishops oppose teaching of condom use

CONFERENCES/ EVENTS/ RESOURCES

1. Regional Conference on Youth, Children and HIV/AIDS

2. Microbicides 2006

3. International AIDS Conference 2006

JOBS

1. HIV/AIDS Prevention Senior Officer - IFRC

2. Country Director, ROADS Project (Burundi) - FHI

NEWS

SOUTH AFRICA: Khomanani adds a new twist to love on Valentine's Day

If the government's latest anti-AIDS campaign is anything to go by, Valentine's

Day next month could mean more than just chocolates and red roses for some South

African couples.

By distributing free romantic cards with the message, " It's time to take our

relationship to the next level " , Khomanani, the government's HIV/AIDS

communications programme, aims to encourage more couples to be tested together

for HIV.

Although the prospect of discovering one's status usually raises feelings of

apprehension and even fear, experts have noted that the long-term benefits are

vital to maintaining good health and productive lifestyles.

More details:

http://www.plusnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=5599

TANZANIA: Roman Catholic bishops oppose teaching of condom use

Roman Catholic bishops in Tanzania have condemned as " unacceptable " a new

science syllabus for primary schools that incorporates the teaching of proper

condom use.

" Introduction of the [teaching of] use of condoms in schools, apart from being

sinful, is indeed justification and opening the door for immoral lifestyles, "

Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, the archbishop of Dar es Salaam, said on Monday in a

statement issued on behalf of Tanzania's Episcopal Conference.

" Teaching children, some as young as 12 years old, the use of condoms is

disastrous, " he added.

More details:

http://www.plusnews.org/AIDSreport.asp?ReportID=5577

CONFERENCES/ EVENTS/ RESOURCES

1. A regional conference on youth, children and HIV/AIDS will be held at the Sun

and Sand Holiday Resort, in Mangochi, Malawi from 18 to 22 July 2006. The

conference theme is 'Young People's Development and the Millennium Development

Goals on HIV/AIDS in East and Southern Africa: Sharing Lessons and Experiences'.

The conference will assess the development initiatives in various institutions

on the Millennium Development Goals on HIV/AIDS and Young People and assess the

role of the civil society organisations.

Conference sub themes include:

- Leadership and governance in civil society organisations

- Fundraising for sustainable youth development

- Child rights, sexuality and HIV/AIDS, including successful strategies

- Advocacy, networking and collaboration for HIV/AIDS prevention

- Entrepreneurship and vocational skills development for responding to HIV/AIDS

The conference organising committee is now calling for papers for presentation

during the conference. The presentation could be either for the plenary

presentation, posters or workshops.

Abstracts should be sent to esanya2006@... by 20 April 2006. For more

information:

Executive Director,

Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO),

Kazembe Location, Near Likangala Secondary School,

P.O. Box 471, Zomba, Malawi.

Tel: 265 1 525 674;

Fax: 265 1 525 560;

Emails: Mr Mac Bain Mkandawire - mhjmkandawire@... or

macbainmkandawire@...; Mr Felix Limbani - felixlimbani@...;

Ms. Lillian Chigona - pmyoneco@...; Mr. Kalimbuka -

chekalimbuka@...

2. The biannual international Microbicides conference will be held in Cape Town,

South Africa from 23 to 26 April 2006.

By hosting the conference in South Africa, the organisers aim to raise public

awareness of microbicides as a promising HIV prevention technology, as well as

highlighting the enormity of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, especially in developing

countries and in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The conference intends to provide updates on recent microbicide research, with a

forum for the discussion of new developments in microbicide research, and

present opportunities for knowledge sharing between microbicide researchers,

public health workers, advocates, communities and civil society organisations.

The gathering promises to be bigger and better than ever before. The

Microbicides 2004 conference attracted 800 delegates from around the globe.

Increased interest and research effort in this area means that the 2006

Conference is likely to be even bigger, attracting around 1,000 delegates.

The deadline for Microbicides 2006 scholarship applications has been extended

until January 15. Details on how to submit an application are available at

http://www.microbicides2006.org/scholarship.htm

3. The International AIDS Conference is one of the most important gatherings for

the release and discussion of key developments in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The previous International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2004) in Bangkok attracted over

20,000 participants from all over the world.

Click here for more information about the XVI International AIDS Conference

(AIDS 2006) to be held in Toronto, Canada from 13 to 18 August 2006:

http://www.aids2006.org

Registration, abstract submissions and scholarship applications deadlines are

quickly approaching. The deadline for applications for all the above is 22

February 2006.

Call for abstracts: Click here to submit an abstract online:

http://www.aids2006.org/abstracts

Less experienced abstract authors may request the assistance of more experienced

authors. Click here for more information: http://www.aids2006.org/mentoring

Reduced registration fees

For the first time, registration fees have been lowered by US $250 for delegates

from low- and middle-income countries. All delegates can register by 22 February

2006 to take advantage of the lowest possible fees (US $550 for non-OECD

countries and US$ 750 for OECD countries). After 22 February 2006, late

surcharges apply.

Click here to register: http://www.aids2006.org/registration

Apply for a scholarship

Applications are being accepted for the two conference scholarship programmes,

the International Scholarship Programme for people from all over the world and

the Scholarship Programme for Canadian Residents.

Click here to apply for a scholarship: http://www.aids2006.org/scholarships

JOBS

1. HIV/AIDS Prevention Senior Officer - IFRC

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Societies are

looking for a candidate to update and revitalise the Federation's HIV prevention

work through the development of guidelines and tools, and expert support to the

secretariat and national societies.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide strategic vision for and motivate the Federation's HIV prevention work;

through a participatory process develop and support implementation of HIV

prevention guidelines for the secretariat and scale-up of national society of

programmes, and update existing tools to ensure the Federation implements

evidence-based programmes; undertake analysis of the gender aspects of HIV/AIDS

prevention and include specific strategies to address women's needs in the

guidelines, and support implementation of these strategies; ensure that the

Federation's HIV prevention programmes are targeted effectively and involve key

populations vulnerable to HIV transmission, and are implemented at a scale that

will result in lower rates of new infections.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information and full job

description contact the hiring officer, Bernard Gardiner, at

bernard.gardiner@...

Closing date for applications: 31 January 2006.

2. Country Director, ROADS Project (Burundi) - FHI

Family Health International (FHI) provides a highly diversified programme of

research, education and services in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment,

reproductive health and infectious diseases. The organisation is seeking

qualified candidates to direct the implementation of the FHI Institute of

HIV/AIDS programmes in Burundi.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Serve as the FHI representative with relevant private and public agencies,

organisations, National AIDS Control Programme, USAID, and other donors

regarding Burundi programmes and activities; manage the development of country

workplans/proposals and budgets, including periodic review and revision; manage

the design of subproject activities with implementing partners; identify and

develop resource development opportunities for FHI in Burundi; perform other

duties as assigned by the Director, ROADS Project.

REQUIREMENTS:

MS/MA in public health or related field with 7 to 9 years' experience in

international development programmes, or PhD/MD with 5 to 7 years' experience in

international development programmes. Requires 3 to 5 years of supervisory

experience. Overseas field experience required. Fluency in oral and written

French/English required.

FHI has a competitive compensation package. Interested candidates please submit

cover letter and resume including salary requirements online at www.fhi.org or

e-mail to: humanresources@.... Please specify source in your application and

quote code: AA/EOE/M/F/V/D

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Keyword: Southern Africa