Male Circumcision: context, criteria and culture

Updates from the UNAIDS Website...

In the first of a special three-part series on the issue of male circumcision and its links to the reduction of HIV transmission, unaids.org considers the historical, traditional and increasingly social reasons behind the practice of male circumcision across the world. Read more

National M&E System to be evaluated

The M&E Core Group headed by PNAC M&E Officer, Dr. Jessie Fantone, will meet from 26 to 27 February 2007 at Kimberly Hotel, Manila to conduct a preliminary evaluation workshop of the National HIV M&E System. The workshop aims at describing the current state of the national system, identifying gaps and challenges, and planning to further strengthen the National HIV M&E System.

UN prepares for UNJP Workshop

UNFPA convened today the members of the UN working group on the UN Joint Programme (UNJP) on HIV and Migration at the UNICEF conference room (RCBC Plaza, Makati City). The group discussed plans for the upcoming Joint Programme Planning Workshop on February 26-27, 2007 at the UNFPA conference room which will be attended by the implementing government partners - the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Labor (DOLE).

For more information about the UN Joint Programme please email Dr. GJ Templonuevo, UNFPA's HIV Specialist and UNJP's Point Person.

UNAIDS joins Field Security Training in Cavite

Four UNAIDS Country Office staff, headed by the UCC, Dr Marlyn Borromeo, joined the First UN Field Security Training conducted by the UN-Security Team, the IOM Staff Security Unit and Specialists from the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Silang, Cavite last Friday Feb. 16 2007.

The entire training, which took one entire day, from 08:30am to 5pm, consisted of realistic - mostly outdoor - field scenarios. There were no theory involved and the participants trained together with PNP officers and cadets, the future PNP field commanders and eventually UN Peace Keepers. Very realistic role plays were played at at simulated checkpoints, traffic accidents, natural disasters, car jacking, and ambush scenarios. The trainors stressed the participants' negotiation skills, decision making and leadership, mission preparedness and common sense.

PNAC prepares Local AIDS Response Menu for LGUs

In an effort to popularize the AIDS response at the local level, the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC) will conduct a workshop on the development of the "Guide to Developing and Strengthening Local Response on AIDS - A Package of Assistance to Local Government Units (LGU)" on February 13-14, 2007 at Subic International Hotel, Subic, Olongapo City.

For more information please contact:
Mr. Rench Chanliongco
PNAC Secretariat
(+63-2) 743-0512
(+63-2) 743-8305 locals 2552, 2553
pnac-sec@pacific.net.ph

Join the 2007 AIDS Candlelight Memorial

The International Candlelight Memorial
“Leading the Way to a World Without AIDS”
20 May 2007

The annual International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, a program of the Global Health Council, is one of the largest and oldest grassroots mobilization campaigns for HIV/AIDS awareness in the world. The Candlelight Memorial occurs on the third Sunday of every May and is led by volunteer coordinators who host memorials for their communities worldwide. Now in its 24th year, the Candlelight is meant to honor all those who have been affected by the AIDS pandemic.

But the Candlelight is much more than just a memorial. It’s also an opportunity to educate about HIV/AIDS, influence local and national policy makers, and create community dialogue about prevention, care, and treatment for the disease. It’s an occasion for coordinators to improve their community mobilization skills, partner with other organizations and professionals in their field, and find unity within a global coalition of AIDS activists.

In 2006, over 900 Candlelight coordinators planned memorials in 110 countries, reaching tens of thousands of people. The Global Health Council works with international partners to recruit and counsel community Candlelight coordinators. The Candlelight began in 1983 in the United States, at a time when little was known about HIV. Today, an estimated 25 million people have died as a result of AIDS and 40 million are currently estimated to be infected with the disease.

Coordinators worldwide plan community candlelight memorials in many different ways. Some memorials are large and small, with many resources or a few, with simple goals or complex. Most use the occasion to light candles to remember those who have been affected by AIDS, while others incorporate educational activities and speeches, including advocacy messages that urge political leaders to improve policies regarding the disease.

DOH NEC conducts 2-day workshop on HIV surveillance

 

Global Fund organizes M&E Workshop

 

UNAIDS DXD Debbie Landey with Filipinos Living with HIV

15 January 2007, Office of the Secretary of Health, Department of Health, Manila Philippines


UNTG Chair Jean-Marc Olive, UNAIDS DXD Debbie Landey, and UCC Marlyn Borromeo in an informal meeting with the positive communities in the Philippines (Pinoy Plus; Positive Action Foundation Inc; and Babae Plus)

UNAIDS DXD DLandey attends ASEAN Summit

UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Debbie Landey attended the 12th ASEAN summit held in Cebu City, Philippines last 11-15 January 2007. Ms. Landey represented UNAIDS Executive Director Peter Piot during the ASEAN's Special Session on AIDS on 12 January 2007.

DXD Landey also met with AIDS stakeholder in Manila. Here are some snapshots:

Ms. Landey with Catholic Church Leaders.


Ms. Landey with the UN Country Team (Philippines).


Ms. Landey with the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC).