Regional Arab Network Against Aids

During the XVIII International AIDS Conference 2010, the Regional Session on Middle East and North Africa was organized on Tuesday, July 20, 2010.
The session highlighted key issues and themes in the HIV epidemic as well as the response in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region within the context of the conference theme and the United Nations goal of universal access to comprehensive prevention programmes, treatment, care and support by 2010.

The session was presided by Pr. Hakima Himmich, President of ALCS Morocco and Mrs. Hind Khattib, Regional Director of UNAIDS RST MENA and comprised of presentations by activists in MENA. First, Dr. Laith Abu-Raddad, introduced the status of the HIV epidemic in MENA, then Mr. Othman Mellouk, ALCS Morocco talked about the challenges of addressing Key Populations at higher risk of HIV in the conservative context of MENA. Mr. Abdel Kader Bacha, International HIV/AIDS Alliance, presented the status of the response in the MENA region, on behalf of Mr. Elie Aaraj, the RANAA President, who could not participate in the session due to logistical constrains. The session also featured two testimonies by People Living with HIV (PLHIV) from Egypt and Lebanon.

The session was very successful and gathered around 200 participants including activists from the MENA region and an important number of delegates from different regions.

This regional training will explore the intersections between sexuality, sexual orientation, gender identity and reproductive rights, and is designed for young activists working in the fields of SOGI and SRR at the national, regional and international levels. The aim of this training is to highlight the ways in which SRR and SOGI issues intersect; to build the capacity of young activists working on SOGI issues so that they can advocate at the national, regional and international levels; and to help participants understand how these issues can be implemented holistically in their own work. Throughout the training, we also hope to facilitate the process of networking and partnership between participants.
Where: Beirut, Lebanon
When: October 18-20th, 2010
Who:
The participants of the training must:
• Have an in-depth knowledge of LGBTQ issues and arenas
• Fall between the ages of 18 and 29
• Have a basic knowledge and understanding and/or be working actively in the area of Sexual and Reproductive Health or Rights, related to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
• Committed to contributing to the 6-month follow up with Helem and the Youth Coalition after the training
• Be from the Middle East and North Africa: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, West Bank and Gaza, Yemen, Turkey and Iran.
• Be responsive and timely with the logistical and travel preparations for the training.
• Be proficient in English, as it will be the official language of the training.
If you feel that you can fulfill the criteria please send your completed Application Form (see below) and a Letter of Recommendation to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by August 10th, 2010 at 0900hrs NYT.

http://www.awid.org/eng/Women-in-Action/Calls-for-Participation2/Call-for-Participants-Regional-Training-on-SOGI-and-SRR-forYoung-Activists-in-the-Middle-East-and-North-Africa