International Social Work Conference on care and support

[Guest guest]

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: COMMUNITY CARE AND SUPPORT FOR PERSONS

LIVING WITH HIV / AIDS: CHALLENGES FOR THE NEW MILLENIUM An

International Social Work Conference. 4th to 6th December, 2004 Mumbai

From the Conference Desk:

In spite of resources pouring in to combat the spread of HIV I AIDS,

human society cannot claim to have gained control over the disease

which is infecting millions of people around the world toady. Over

the last 20 years, since the time AIDS was first identified,

estimates are that around 20 million men, women and children have

already died from it. It is estimated that 95 per cent of people who

carry this virus belong to economically developing countries, (Sub

Saharan Africa, South East Asia, Latin America, and the Carribean)

and over 40 per cent of them are women. In Sub Saharan Africa where

80 per cent of the deaths have occurred, life expectancy has dropped

below 40 years. The United Nations warns that nearly 68 million

people could die in 45 affected countries over the next two decades.

While the role of prevention remains crucial in the fight against

HIV/AIDS, it is being increasingly realized that that alone is not

enough to address this enormous problem. It is estimated that every

year for the next 20 years, 5 per cent of the people infected with

HIV will develop AIDS. The expected increase in the number of AIDS

patients in the next few years will result in the epidemic soon

outgrowing the existing meagre health care facilities available in

hospitals and in other institutions, particularly those in the

economically developing countries.

There is need to look at alternate approaches to deal with the

problem and to involve the social capital of the country to take

responsibility for the same. A multi-sectoral effort to offer

community care and support seems imperative if we must attempt a more

adequate response to the HIV I AIDS epidemic. And as the World Health

Organisation (1992) puts it, the credibility of AIDS responses can be

judged only by the quality of care that is

offered.

The support and care of the affected persons is thus not only a human

rights obligation, but is vital to maximise the impact and success of

prevention activities. The Conference is an attempt to get together

professional social workers, practitioners in the field, NGO

representatives etc. ftom different countries, on a common platform

so as to deliberate on this vital issue of Community Care and Support

for Persons Living with HIV I AIDS.

Objectives of the Conference:

Reviewing various models of care and support programmes provided for

people with HIV / AIDS in both developed and developing countries.

Identifying the best practices in communities, workplace, education

institutions etc., and documenting them for wider dissemination.

Developing training modules for various stake holders involved in the

care and support programmes.

Exploring different methods of advocacy to sensitise and influence

policy makers so that adequate programs are evolved to contribute

towards the care and support of this marginalised group in society.

Conference Themes:

Human Rights Issues: This would include the ethical and human rights

issues of the affected persons and others who interact with them.

There is also particular need to focus on the rights of specific

groups such as children, women and gay/lesbian populations affected

by HIV/AIDS. The conference will focus not only on the human rights

issuing but also search for appropriate models of intervention /

mechanism for redressal and protection.

Approaches or Models of Community care and Support: Innovative

approaches in Community Care and Support of the HIV / AIDS affected

would be the focus here. Emphasis will be on developing models of

inter disciplinary approaches where the profession of social work

will play a significant role in closely interfacing with other

related professionals.

Services for HIV/AIDS affected persons: There is need for special

services for PL WHA in the area of health, education, counselling,

recreation and other services. There is need for special services for

PL WHA and the affected groups. This will encompass the entire

spectrum of the lives of individuals and their families. The services

should comprehensively cover areas such as health, education,

employment, spirituality emotional needs, legal requirements,

marriage and so on. Best practices in these areas will be identified

and discussed here.

Role of Government, NGO's and Civil Society: This would include the

role that could be played by different stakeholders in effectively

handling the HIV / AIDS epidemic with a scientific temper and a

compassionate attitude. Issues of employment, education, health care

and the formulation of relevant policies for the same would be the

focus here. The civil society plays an important role to effectively

handle the epidemic of HIV / AIDS with a scientific temper and a

compassionate attitude. The conference can explore the tasks and

responsibilities of these stake holders such as community based

organisations, professional groups, NGOs citizens groups, civic

authorities, the police, the bureaucracy, media judiciary and

legislature.

Capacity Building:

The need to offer appropriate training to care-givers at all levels,

from the family to society to governments, is another issue that

needs much reflection and planning. There is a need to develop

training modules to various target groups at different levels from

the affected/inflected people to care givers, administrators and

policy planners. The involvement of positive people becomes crucial

in any capacity building programme, its planning and implementation.

For social work education, research and practice great emphasis is

put on building the capacity for psychological counselling. However

there other areas such as life skills, career options, health

habits/care, sexuality, meaning in life, humour, strength and

positive perspective of self and an optimistic world view also need

to be developed

Participants would include

Social Work Educators

Social Work Practitioners

NGO Representatives

Positive People

Persons Affected by HIV / AIDS

Service Providers

Government Personnel

Funding Organisations

Contact

Dr. Alphonse, Principal

College of Social Work,

Nirmala Niketan,

38, New Marine Lines, Mumbai - 400 020

Tel: 91 -22- 22002615/22007345

Fax: 91-22-22014880

Email: colsocwk@...

http://www.nirmalaniketancollegeofsocialwork.org/