Dialogues on Strategies for AIDS Control in India/South Asia

Acknowledgements

The organisers and participants of the workshop owe a debt to the organising committee of the Asian Social Forum for providing such an opportunity to relate to wider issues and socially committed people of so many diverse streams.

Without the active involvement of the participants, the workshop could not been as enriching as it was. The enthusiasm of all the speakers when initially approached gave me the energy to persist in the endeavour of organising this workshop and I am grateful to them for giving their serious input and time. Assistance provided by Chris Mary Kurian was invaluable.

I am also grateful for the trust reposed in me by Prof. Dhirubhai Sheth and Vijay Pratap of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies and Shri Harsh Mander and Sandeep Chachra of ActionAid India. Their active support in suggesting and mobilising speakers as well as organising the logistical support merits a big thank you.

- Ritu Priya

Format of the Workshop

• Testimonies and reflections of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAS) and people working with them on the problems they face and the reasons for the problems.

• Presentations— On lack of social responsibility in different social systems, institutions and professionals  as a major reason for the problems being faced by the PLWHAs and thereby negation of their ‘human rights’—problems, dilemmas and concrete examples of alternative strategies which promote a sense of responsibility. Therefore the issues that emerge for rethinking strategies of AIDS control and the macro-concepts underlying them.

• Open discussion on the need for rethinking AIDS control strategies and their conceptual basis.

• Open discussion — Evolving strategies for promoting rethinking on AIDS to improve the environment for care and support for PLWHAs.

• The Concept Note

• A Brief Report

• Notes by Participants

  • Anchita Ghatak

  • Vijay Thakur

  • Dr. Alpana Sagar

  • Roy Laibungfam

• List of Participants