Human Resources Development Section

"Wake-up Call: HIV/AIDS and the City": CITYNET Congress 2001
While HIV/AIDS is spreading at an alarming rate in many Asia-Pacific cities, too few local governments have addressed the deadly epidemic as a development and local governance issue. In an effort to sensitize mayors and local authorities to the relevance of HIV/AIDS in urban management, the ESCAP HRD Section, in collaboration with UNAIDS, organized a symposium entitled "Wake-up Call: HIV/AIDS and the City" on 30 October at the United Nations Conference Center, Bangkok as part of the regional CITYNET Congress 2001.

The panel included keynote speaker H.E. Senator Mechai Viravaidya, UNAIDS Ambassador, and former Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Royal Thai Government; Ms Natashya Yong, youth advocate, Asia-Pacific Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (APN+); Mr Tariq, community organizer of a city-wide harm reduction programme; and Ms Trini; UNDP/Kuala Lumpur volunteer.

ESCAP activities in preparation for the Special Session of the General Assembly on HIV/AIDS
ESCAP included an agenda item on HIV/AIDS for the 57th session of the Commission, in preparation for the Special Session of the General Assembly on HIV/AIDS, held from 25 to 27 June 2001. The agenda item was co-organised by the Human Resources Development Section, Social Development Division, ESCAP and UNAIDS.

ESCAP HRD Course on Psychosocial and Medical Services: Focus on HIV/AIDS
ESCAP plans to strengthen its curriculum of the ESCAP HRD Course on Psychosocial and Medical Services for Sexually Abused and Sexually Exploited Children and Youth, through the addition of a module on HIV/AIDS. This module would enhance the awareness of social service and health personnel on best practices for HIV/AIDS prevention among sexually abused and sexually exploited children and youth; and equip them with the skills and tools necessary to address the physical and psychosocial health needs of sexually abused and sexually exploited children and youth living with HIV/AIDS and their families. The Course will be launched in 2000.

Fighting HIV/AIDS in India
Concerned with the threat of AIDS to young people, the Indian Committee of Youth Organizations (ICYO) started campaigning to sensitize and mobilize people to implement AIDS prevention programmes back in October 1987. Here are some of their achievements.