14th International AIDS Conference Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no.. G12565)

Florette FC
Act Up-Paris, Paris, France

ISSUES: - community networking and information exchange has emerged as a major means for achieving effective civil society action. - networking and information exchange efforts have successfully articulated empowerment and development catalysts for many of the world's most admired community initiatives. - Yet, after ample proof of the value of networking and information exchange efforts, there is still insufficient attention and resources available for this type of activities. - At present, community development catalysts and means to community empowerment are direly needed to enable our societies to overcome the manifold challenges that the aids crisis present us with. Networking and information exchange initiatives have a unique claim on addressing those needs, as is examplified in the PLANET Africa project.

DESCRIPTION: This paper will integrate processes of formation and operation of the international PWA NGO network PLANET Africa into a model which can be used for community networking and information exchange initiatives. These elements will involve an analysis of member co-optation selection criteria, modes of the networking, nature and object of exchanged information, cross-NGO fight-against-aids synergy uses of the network as well as fight-against-aids impact of both information exchange itself and the empowerment arising from access to information. This is based on experiences as a Community Information Exchange Worker with the PLANET Africa PWA NGO network.

LESSON LEARNED: Community networking and information exchange can have extremely valuable impact as is examplified in the model of the PLANET Africa network, and in the recent success of 200 African PWA NGOs at the last ICASA to create an official international demand for massive financing for treatment access in Africa.

RECOMMENDATIONS: This paper recommends that resources be allocated to strengthen and extend community networking and information exchange initiatives.

020707
G12565

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