PHA-Exchange> Network launches to promote exchange of programmes on AIDS/HIV

[George(s) Lessard]

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Date sent:      	Thu, 27 Jun 2002 17:10:31 +0100
Send reply to:  	Media for Development in Democracy <DEVMEDIA at listserv.uoguelph.ca>
From:           	"OneWorld.net" <media at ONEWORLD.NET>
Subject:        	Network launches to promote exchange of programmes on AIDS/HIV
             	between radio stations worldwide
To:             	DEVMEDIA at listserv.uoguelph.ca

OneWorld Radio AIDS Network to promote free exchange of radio programmes on
AIDS/HIV between radio stations worldwide.

Johannesburg, South Africa, 27 June 2002 -- OneWorld (www.oneworld.net), the
online sustainable development and human rights network, announces the launch of
OneWorld Radio AIDS Network www.oneworld.net/radio/aids.

OneWorld Radio AIDS Network is a community of broadcasters, NGOs and
activists coming together in the fight against AIDS. The network launches
with 100 member organizations and radio stations across the world.

Globally, radio programming is being used to share experiences of AIDS and
to give advice on reducing risk and supporting those living with HIV/AIDS.
The medium can provide facts on HIV/AIDS in the face of fear and stigma to
combat discrimination and prejudice. Radio is also critical in raising
awareness and understanding of AIDS not just as a health and social issue
but also as a political, development and human rights concern.

Yet the wealth of AIDS awareness and other audio material produced by NGOs,
government agencies and broadcasters is usually restricted to the geographical
area where it has been produced and aired. It then often remains unheard by
wider audiences.

The Internet provides a solution to this problem. OneWorld Radio AIDS
Network has a searchable database exchange of audio files that allows
broadcasters and other programme producers to upload and download AIDS
programming in any language on the World Wide Web. Radio stations around the
world can then rebroadcast this copyright-free material or adapt it for their
own audiences. Anyone with Internet access can listen to the programmes online
at OneWorld Radio AIDS Network www.oneworld.net/radio/aids.

“For now, with no cure in sight, information and communication are our only
effective weapons to beat AIDS/HIV,” said Priscilla Jere, director of OneWorld
Africa. “OneWorld Radio AIDS Network links the power of radio with the
networking potential of the Internet to make the connections that can really
help limit the human suffering and devastation of HIV/AIDS.”

The OneWorld Radio AIDS Network website also includes news, training
materials, funding information and other practical resources for national
and community broadcasters, health educators and campaigners as well as
people working in AIDS/HIV organizations, aid agencies and development NGOs.

Combining technology and information with this community of organizations
and individuals, OneWorld Radio AIDS Network aims to make a real difference to
the lives of millions.

-
Media contacts:
Siviwe Minyi (South Africa) siviwe.minyi at oneworld.net, mobile +27 82 8981669
Priscilla Jere (Zambia, for rest of Africa) priscilla.jere at oneworld.net, 260-1-
23 27 73 Glen Tarman (London, for rest of world), media at oneworld.net, +44 (0)20
7091 4541

Notes:
1. OneWorld is a non-profit network that aims to harness the democratic
potential of the Internet for human rights, sustainable development and an
end to world poverty. OneWorld brings together a partner community of over
1250 organizations at www.oneworld.net.
2. Member organizations of OneWorld Radio Aids Network include AMARC, CARE,
InterWorld Radio, Johns Hopkins University, Panos, Radio Netherlands, Soul City,
UNICEF and many more. Organisations and radio stations that wish to join
OneWorld Radio Aids Network can do so on the site www.oneworld.net/radio/aids or
by emailing aidsradio at oneworld.net for more details. 3. Edited and co-ordinated
from OneWorld Africa, OneWorld Radio Aids Network is part of the OneWorld portal
on issues related to HIV/AIDS, AIDSchannel.org (www.aidschannel.org), and is a
themed network of OneWorld Radio (www.oneworld.net/radio), an initiative
promoting sustainable development and human rights through radio. OneWorld Radio
Aids Network is supported by Parthenon Trust. 4. OneWorld is a founding partner
of the UNDP ICT Against AIDS Coalition, an alliance of developed nations,
developing country governments, private sector companies, non-profit and
academic organizations aiming to strengthen the global response to HIV/AIDS
through greater access and more effective use of ICTs (information and
communication technologies). -

*** Now screening on OneWorld TV (www.oneworld.net/tv): 'The Struggle
Continues ....' South African AIDS activists draw on the traditions of the
struggle against apartheid to fight the AIDS crisis and build a grassroots
movement to demand treatment for HIV-positive people. Hear their stories and see
how they use video to give a voice on AIDS/HIV to those affected.***

KEEP INFORMED ABOUT AIDS AS A HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUE. SUBSCRIBE TO
THE WEEKLY AIDSCHANNEL.ORG EMAIL DIGEST Send an email to majordomo at oneworld.net
with the following in the body of the message: subscribe aidschannel

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