Newsletter Issue 4
June 2010
 

Welcome

The first third of 2010 has been a busy for HEARD staff. In March we held Board and Development Partner meetings. These were well attended and productive for us all. There can be no doubt that the financial crisis is affecting everyone including HEARD's donor partners. It is therefore extremely encouraging to note that we will have continued support.

It is also clear HEARD will have to maintain and increase productivity.

 

Thinking about Research Ethics

HEARD is developing 'real' ethics training on the basis of challenges encountered by field researchers in southern Africa and an ongoing review of its ethics protocols for gender-related, HIV/AIDS research in South Africa. The experiences of HEARD researchers as well as data from a range of projects continue to highlight the very high levels of domestic violence, sexual abuse and crime in rural and urban areas of South Africa. Furthermore, even well-designed research plans that meet the current standards of university ethics committees, leave room for doubt about whether the protocols really are adequate.

 

HEARD to Host Health Financing Workshop

 

HEARD at the International AIDS Conference.

From 18-23 July, the city of Vienna will host the XVIII International AIDS Conference, the premier gathering for those working in the field of HIV, as well as policy makers, persons living with HIV and other individuals committed to ending the pandemic. The conference offers a forum to present new scientific knowledge, and for structured dialogue on the major issues facing the global response to HIV.

HEARD has 11 representatives attending the conference; in addition to researchers, these include HEARD's executive director, its African Leadership and Capacity Building programmes leader and its communications and marketing manager.

 

HIV Training for Faith Based Leaders

HEARD's African Leadership Support Programme recently hosted a training workshop for faith based leaders in an attempt to increase their knowledge and skills around testing, the importance of getting tested and on counselling those who are about to get tested. More than 20 faith based leaders attended the 4-day workshop which was held at the Salt Rock Hotel on Durban's north coast.

Recognising that faith based leaders are a critical component of leadership on the continent, HEARD partnered with Grace Family Church which has a network of over 130 missionary organisations based in KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique.
 

 

'HIV/AIDS in the Workplace & Beyond' Research in Action Symposium

HEARD, the South African Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (SABCOHA) and Wits Business School (WBS) will host the third 'HIV/AIDS in the Workplace & Beyond' Symposium at Gallagher Estate in Johannesburg between 9-11 November 2010. The broad theme of this research-focused conference is prevention.

Many workplaces now run or support treatment programmes that complement the public provision of ART. The emphasis on treatment as a prevention method by the World Health Organisation is an important approach.

 

Traditional Healers Study: some preliminary findings