AEGiS-14IAC: FORUM HIV/AIDS NEWSLETTER - an instrument for promoting and protecting the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS.

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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FORUM HIV/AIDS NEWSLETTER - an instrument for promoting and protecting the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. G12551)

Catana C, Badarau M, Ghita E, Dragan M, Bohiltea A, Sirbu I, Nica M, Asandi S
Romanian Angel Appeal, Bucharest, Romania

ISSUES: One of the main causes for the spread of HIV/AIDS is the lack of information, especially in developing countries. A country like Romania, where HIV/AIDS issues are hardly tackled by mass media, needed a "spokesperson" to ask questions on behalf of the affected people, to inform and educate the public about HIV/AIDS issues, and to monitor the field of human rights. Since its launch in 1996, FORUM HIV/AIDS NEWSLETTER (FNL) has become an efficient lobby instrument, which protects and promotes the rights of the affected people.

DESCRIPTION: FNL, which is a project initiated by Romanian Angel Appeal (an NGO providing care for more than 2,500 children living with HIV/AIDS and their families), started with a bilingual edition having 500 copies. Today FNL is the most recognized publication in the field of HIV/AIDS, with 3,400 copies. The newsletter reaches a vast area of persons and institutions in Romania and abroad: hospitals and medical offices, ministries and other public institutions, associations, and last but not least, affected persons. FNL represents a unique and accessible instrument for promoting information on legislation, organizations and institutions, and best practice in the field of HIV/AIDS, both at national and international levels. It includes a series of articles about, for and by young people, children and parents.

ISSUES: FNL has gradually become one of the best information sources not only for the affected people, their families and NGOs, but also for state authorities. It has also been an excellent lobby instrument for the affected people and NGOs, highlighting and offering solutions for various hot issues in the field. RECOMMENDATION: Developing countries, where communication between state and civil society is deficient and where the lack of information leads to an increased discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS, may use the FNL model as an effective advocacy tool in protecting and promoting PLWA human rights.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Human Rights, HIV Seropositivity, Developing Countries, Organizations, Mass Media, Research, Romania, Child, Human, organization & administrationKWDaegis,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,hivinfections,humanrights,hivseropositivity,developingcountries,organizations,massmedia,research,romania,child,human,organization&administration

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G12551

Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.