HIV/AIDS AND HUMAN RIGHTS AFRICAN REGIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOP 9 - 15 February 2002, Cape Town, South Africa. http://www.angelcities.com/members/samsa The HIV/AIDS epidemic is one of the greatest challenges faced by society today, both in terms of curbing its spread, as well as learning to live with HIV/AIDS in our communities. It is a disease that affects all strata of society, from young to old. There was an estimated 40 million people infected with the HIV virus at the end of 2000. However, the impact of HIV/AIDS on the youth population in particular is becoming increasingly marked, and is now reaching alarming proportions: it is estimated that 40 million teenagers and adolescents will have contracted the virus by the year 2030. Already, over half of the people carrying the HIV virus are under the age of 25. It is therefore clear that the time has come for the youth to rise up and take their place at the centre of HIV action. It is imperative for youth to become actively involved, not only in curbing the spread of the disease but also in playing a role in protecting the rights of people living with HIV or AIDS. Motivated by these concerns, the International Federation of Medical Students Associations, in collaboration with UNESCO, are taking HIV/AIDS and Human Rights issues to the youth all over the world. It is hoped that this will help to combat the spread of the disease, as well as to raise awareness against socio-cultural stigma towards people living with HIV/AIDS and protect them from associated human rights violations. To this end, UNESCO, in consultation with different youth organisations, especially IFMSA has developed a kit entitled "HIV/AIDS and Human Rights - Young People in Action' to aid youth organisations involved in HIV/AIDS prevention, promotion and advocacy campaigns. The manual is based on the international guidelines on Human Rights and HIV/AIDS and is intended to serve as a tool in the development and initiation of appropriate youth activities. The purpose of the workshop to be held in Cape Town, South Africa is multifaceted. Primarily, it aims to train participants on how to use the "Youth to Youth" manual effectively, and thus to empower them to initiate youth activities around HIV/AIDS and Human Rights in their own communities. It is also hoped that the workshop will equip participants with the necessary skills to ensure that they, as future community leaders, will advocate the care of people living with HIV/AIDS in an ethical, judicious and most appropriate manner. The training workshop will train 50 participants, with the participants being young, dynamic youth leaders from regional countries. About 10 African countries will be included, with each country being represented by 4 participants. The workshop will last 7 days, during which time participants will receive intensive training on skills and capacity building and problem solving with regards to the psychosocial and cultural aspect of the connection between HIV/AIDS and Human Rights. For more information about the workshop, please read on. You can also visit our website at: www.angelcities.com/members/samsa or you can direct your questions to us by sending an e-mail to: hivhr_sa2002@yahoo.com WHO MAY PARTICIPATE? Applications are invited from youth leaders who are either already involved in HIV/AIDS-related work on a grassroots level or are eager to begin work in this area. This workshop is not aimed at those who are already experts in community work with regard to HIV/AIDS, rather, it seeks to equip beginners in this area of work with the necessary skills to enable them to make the maximum impact on their communities. WHERE IS THE WORKSHOP TAKING PLACE? The HIV/AIDS and Human Rights African Regional Training Workshop will take place in Cape Town, South Africa from the 9th to the 15th of February 2002. Cape Town, is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful cities in Africa. With the majestic Table Mountain soaring on one side of the city and the ocean flanking the other, there is more than enough to keep even the most avid of tourists occupied. Not only does Cape town have a rich cultural heritage, giving the city its own distinct flavour, it is also a vibrant cosmopolitan city offering all the pleasures and amenities of a first class city. The workshop will be held at the Ritz Hotel, which is located in the very hub of Cape Town central city, thus providing participants with not only an excellent conference venue, but also an opportunity to experience Cape Town life at its best. For more information about the hotel, please visit our website (page 1). INFORMATION FOR POTENTIAL APPLICANTS The HIV/AIDS and Human Rights African Regional Training Workshop is designed for and open to all youth from African countries with a particular interest in the fields of HIV/AIDS and human rights. It will be hosted by the SAMSA (South African Medical Students' Association) in collaboration with the IFMSA (International Federation of Medical Students' Associations) and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) from February 9 to 15, 2002 in Cape Town, South Africa. We will accept 50 participants from ten different African countries. There will be approximately 4 participants from each of the nine other countries and approximately 10 participants from South Africa. Youth from all African countries are welcome to apply using our on- line application form at www.angelcities.com/members/samsa. The application form should be accompanied by a: Motivation letter Curriculum Vitae A paper describing the HIV/AIDS and human rights situation in your own country or community. The Application Form, Motivation Letter, Curriculum Vitae and Essay should be sent separately to: Darshan Reddy at this address: hivhr_sa2002@y... Mail can also be sent to this address: SAMSA-UCT UCT Faculty of Health Sciences Barnard Fuller Building Anzio Road, Observatory, 7925 South Africa DATES: The deadline for early registration deadline is 15th December 2001. The deadline for late registration is 1st January 2002. Please apply on time to avoid any problems. Applicants will be notified by 4th of January 2001 if they have been selected as participants for the workshop. REGISTRATION: The fee for early registration is 100 USD. The fee for late registration is 120 USD. The registration fee is fully inclusive - that is, it includes transport within Cape Town to designated areas that are part of the program, social events that are part of the program, workshop materials, hotel accommodation and board (6 nights with 3 meals a day). On arrival, participants should check-in at the registration desk in the hotel lobby. The registration fee should be transferred into our bank account by the above-mentioned dates. BANK ACCOUNT INFORMATION: SAMSA c/o University of Cape Town Bank: Standard Bank Branch: Rondebosch Branch Number: 025009 Account: UCT Number 6 Account Number: 270 691 952 Entity Number: 671262 Payment should be made in USD, without charges for the beneficiary. Personal cheques or credit cards cannot be accepted. After the bank transfer, please send a copy of the bank deposit slip by post or fax to the organising committee at the above-mentioned addresses. TRAVEL ASSISTANCE FUND (TAF): Individuals who may need travel assistance from their countries to the workshop should indicate that in their application form. Limited funds are available for TAF purposes. In order for applicants to be considered for TAF, they need to send us a: 1. Completed Application Form. 2. Motivation Letter 3. Curriculum Vitae 4. An Essay about the AIDS and Human Rights situation in your country 5. Follow up plans for after the workshop VISAS AND PASSPORTS: Youth coming from other African countries should not have difficulty with access into South Africa. Invitation letters will be sent to the applicants on request. To gain entry into South Africa, foreign nationals need to have in their possession passports with at least six months of validity and appropriate visas. Visa application is carried out at the South African Embassies or Consulates nearest to the applicant's domicile. The visa application requires filling out the appropriate application forms - available from the Embassies or Consulates - and by enclosing 2 colour passport- size photographs and a valid passport, along with supporting documents depending on the types of visa one is applying for. An application fee is payable in local currency for the visa application, depending on the type of visa and the duration of stay. Please note that the fee should only be paid in cash or by postal order and is non-refundable. Queries regarding the amount of the visa fee should be referred to the Embassy/Consulate where the visa application is filed. Decisions on many of the types of visa applications are normally made within 7 working days. So make sure that you apply in advance as to prevent any unwanted hassles. Visas are usually issued for three months. Visas that have been issued are only valid for the 90 days. If an applicant fails to enter South Africa within the 90 day period after the visa is issued, the visa will be declared invalid. Please note that possession of a visa does not guarantee entry into South Africa. Permission to enter the country is dependent on the authorisation of the Immigration Officer at the point of entry. ------- A message relayed by the Nigeria-AIDS eForum, from Barbara Schimmer http://www.nigeria-aids.org/eforum.cfm *** Please direct queries to Email: hivhr_sa2002@yahoo.com ***