AFRO-NETS> HIV/AIDS and Human Rights African Regional Training Workshop

[Janet Feldman <kaippg@earthlink.net>]

HIV/AIDS and Human Rights African Regional Training Workshop
------------------------------------------------------------

9 - 15 February 2002
Cape Town, South Africa


Dear Friends, 

Here is an exciting announcement, which I am passing along to as many 
networks and individuals as I can think of, and hope you will do the 
same! 

With Many Thanks, and hopes for the success of this wonderful en-
deavor! 

Janet Feldman
Director, KAIPPG/International
Kenya
mailto:kaippg@earthlink.net
mailto:kaippg@africaonline.co.ke


----- Original Message -----
From: Barbara Schimmer <barschimmer@hotmail.com>

Dear friends,

I would like to inform you on an interesting upcoming conference on 
HIV/AIDS and Human Rights. We are looking for youth leaders active on 
the grass-root level in the field of HIV/AIDS and Human Rights. You 
can apply before December 15 through our website:
http://www.angelcities.com/members/samsa 

Sincerely,

Barbara Schimmer
IFMSA liaison officer to UNESCO 1999-2001
mailto:barschimmer@hotmail.com


--
HIV/AIDS and Human Rights African Regional Training Workshop
9 - 15 February 2002,
Cape Town, South Africa

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is one of the greatest challenges faced by so-
ciety 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 af-
fects all strata of society, from young to old. There was an esti-
mated 40 million people infected with the HIV virus at the end of 
2000. However, the impact of HIV/AIDS on the youth population in par-
ticular is becoming increasingly marked, and is now reaching alarming 
proportions: it is estimated that 40 million teenagers and adoles-
cents 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 (IFMSA) 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 aware-
ness 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 par-
ticipants 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 partici-
pants 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 psychoso-
cial 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: 
http://www.angelcities.com/members/samsa 

or you can direct your questions to us by sending an e-mail:
mailto: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 Af-
rica. 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 fla-
vour, it is also a vibrant cosmopolitan city offering all the pleas-
ures 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 par-
ticular 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, Sci-
entific and Cultural Organisation) from February 9 to 15, 2002 in 
Cape Town, South Africa. We will accept 50 participants from ten dif-
ferent African countries. There will be approximately 4 participants 
from each of the nine other countries and approximately 10 partici-
pants from South Africa.

Youth from all African countries are welcome to apply using our on- 
line application form at http://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
mailto:hivhr_sa2002@yahoo.com

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 US$.
The fee for late registration is 120 US$.
The registration fee is fully inclusive - that is, it includes trans-
port within Cape Town to designated areas that are part of the pro-
gram, 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 US$, 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 na-
tionals 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 pass-
port-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 applica-
tion, 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 applica-
tion 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 authori-
sation of the Immigration Officer at the point of entry.

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