HIV/AIDS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
AFRICAN REGIONAL TRAINING WORKSHOP

9 – 15 February 2002,
Cape Town, South Africa.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is one of the greatest
challenges faced by society today, both in terms of
curbing its spread, as well as learning to live with
HIV/AIDS in our communities. It is a disease that
affects all strata of society, from young to old.
There was an estimated 40 million people infected with
the HIV virus at the end of 2000. However, the impact
of HIV/AIDS on the youth population in particular is
becoming increasingly marked, and is now reaching
alarming proportions: it is estimated that 40 million
teenagers and adolescents will have contracted the
virus by the year 2030. Already, over half of the
people carrying the HIV virus are under the age of 25.
It is therefore clear that the time has come for the
youth to rise up and take their place at the centre of
HIV action. It is imperative for youth to become
actively involved, not only in curbing the spread of
the disease but also in playing a role in protecting
the rights of people living with HIV or AIDS.

Motivated by these concerns, the IFMSA, in
collaboration with UNESCO, are taking HIV/AIDS and
Human Rights issues to the youth all over the world.
It is hoped that this will help to combat the spread
of the disease, as well as to raise awareness against
socio-cultural stigma towards people living with
HIV/AIDS and protect them from associated human rights
violations. To this end, UNESCO, in consultation with
different youth organisations, especially IFMSA has
developed a kit entitled “HIV/AIDS and Human Rights –
Young People in Action’ to aid youth organisations
involved in HIV/AIDS prevention, promotion and
advocacy campaigns. The manual is based on the
international guidelines on Human Rights and HIV/AIDS
and is intended to serve as a tool in the development
and initiation of appropriate youth activities.

The purpose of the workshop to be held in Cape Town,
South Africa is multifaceted. Primarily, it aims to
train participants on how to use the “Youth to Youth”
manual effectively, and thus to empower them to
initiate youth activities around HIV/AIDS and Human
Rights in their own communities. It is also hoped
that the workshop will equip participants with the
necessary skills to ensure that they, as future
community leaders, will advocate the care of people
living with HIV/AIDS in an ethical, judicious and most
appropriate manner.

The training workshop will train 50 participants, with
the participants being young, dynamic youth leaders
from regional countries. About 10 African countries
will be included, with each country being represented
by 4 participants. The workshop will last 7 days,
during which time participants will receive intensive
training on skills and capacity building and problem
solving with regards to the psychosocial and cultural
aspect of the connection between HIV/AIDS and Human
Rights.

For more information about the workshop, please read
on. You can also visit our website at:
www.angelcities.com/members/samsa or you can direct
your questions to us by sending an e-mail to:
[email protected].

WHO MAY PARTICIPATE?

Applications are invited from youth leaders who are
either already involved in HIV/AIDS-related work on a
grassroots level or are eager to begin work in this
area. This workshop is not aimed at those who are
already experts in community work with regard to
HIV/AIDS, rather, it seeks to equip beginners in this
area of work with the necessary skills to enable them
to make the maximum impact on their communities.

WHERE IS THE WORKSHOP TAKING PLACE?

The HIV/AIDS and Human Rights African Regional
Training Workshop will take place in Cape Town, South
Africa from the 9th to the 15th of February 2002.

Cape Town, is, without doubt, one of the most
beautiful cities in Africa. With the majestic Table
Mountain soaring on one side of the city and the ocean
flanking the other, there is more than enough to keep
even the most avid of tourists occupied. Not only
does Cape town have a rich cultural heritage, giving
the city its own distinct flavour, it is also a
vibrant cosmopolitan city offering all the pleasures
and amenities of a first class city.
The workshop will be held at the Ritz Hotel, which is
located in the very hub of Cape Town central city,
thus providing participants with not only an excellent
conference venue, but also an opportunity to
experience Cape Town life at its best.

For more information about the hotel, please visit our
website (page 1).

INFORMATION FOR POTENTIAL APPLICANTS

The HIV/AIDS and Human Rights African Regional
Training Workshop is designed for and open to all
youth from African countries with a particular
interest in the fields of HIV/AIDS and human rights.
It will be hosted by the SAMSA (South African Medical
Students’ Association) in collaboration with the IFMSA
(International Federation of Medical Students’
Associations) and UNESCO (United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organisation) from February 9
to 15, 2002 in Cape Town, South Africa. We will accept
50 participants from ten different African countries.
There will be approximately 4 participants from each
of the nine other countries and approximately 10
participants from South Africa.

Youth from all African countries are welcome to apply
using our on-line application form at
www.angelcities.com/members/samsa.
The application form should be accompanied by a:
§ Motivation letter
§ Curriculum Vitae
§ A paper describing the HIV/AIDS and human rights
situation in your own country or community.

The Application Form, Motivation Letter, Curriculum
Vitae and Essay should be sent separately to:
Darshan Reddy at this address:
[email protected].

DATES:

The deadline for early registration deadline is 15th
December 2001.
The deadline for late registration is 1st January
2002.

Please apply on time to avoid any problems.
Applicants will be notified by 4th of January 2001 if
they have been selected as participants for the
workshop.

REGISTRATION:

The fee for early registration is 100 USD.
The fee for late registration is 120 USD.
The registration fee is fully inclusive - that is, it
includes transport within Cape Town to designated
areas that are part of the program, social events that
are part of the program, workshop materials, hotel
accommodation and board (6 nights with 3 meals a day).

On arrival, participants should check-in at the
registration desk in the hotel lobby.
The registration fee should be transferred into our
bank account by the above-mentioned dates.

BANK ACCOUNT INFORMATION:

SAMSA
c/o University of Cape Town
Bank: Standard Bank
Branch: Rondebosch
Branch Number: 025009
Account: UCT Number 6
Account Number: 270 691 952
Entity Number: 671262
Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ

Payment should be made in USD, without charges for the
beneficiary after an invitation letter is received.
Personal cheques or credit cards cannot be accepted.
After the bank transfer, please send a copy of the
bank deposit slip by post or fax to the organising
committee at the above-mentioned addresses.

TRAVEL ASSISTANCE FUND (TAF):

Individuals who may need travel assistance from their
countries to the workshop should indicate that in
their application form. Limited funds are available
for TAF purposes.
In order for applicants to be considered for TAF, they
need to send us a:
1. Completed Application Form.
2. Motivation Letter
3. Curriculum Vitae
4. An Essay about the AIDS and Human
Rights situation in your country
5. Follow up plans for after the workshop

VISAS AND PASSPORTS:

Youth coming from other African countries should not
have difficulty with access into South Africa.
Invitation letters will be sent to the applicants on
request. To gain entry into South Africa, foreign
nationals need to have in their possession passports
with at least six months of validity and appropriate
visas.

Visa application is carried out at the South African
Embassies or Consulates nearest to the applicant's
domicile. The visa application requires filling out
the appropriate application forms - available from the
Embassies or Consulates - and by enclosing 2 colour
passport-size photographs and a valid passport, along
with supporting documents depending on the types of
visa one is applying for.

An application fee is payable in local currency for
the visa application, depending on the type of visa
and the duration of stay. Please note that the fee
should only be paid in cash or by postal order and is
non-refundable. Queries regarding the amount of the
visa fee should be referred to the Embassy/Consulate
where the visa application is filed.

Decisions on many of the types of visa applications
are normally made within 7 working days. So make sure
that you apply in advance as to prevent any unwanted
hassles. Visas are usually issued for three months.
Visas that have been issued are only valid for the 90
days. If an applicant fails to enter South Africa
within the 90 day period after the visa is issued, the
visa will be declared invalid. Please note that
possession of a visa does not guarantee entry into
South Africa. Permission to enter the country is
dependent on the authorisation of the Immigration
Officer at the point of entry.

DETAILS OF THE PROGRAMME CANNOT BE DISPLAYED IN THIS
ANNOUNCEMENT DUE TO FORMATTING PROBLEMS. PLEASE VISIT
OUR WEBSITE www.angelcities.com/members/samsa OR MAIL
IS AT [email protected].

APPLICATION FORM:

Basic Information
Name:
Surname:
Date of Birth:
Sex:

Contact Information
Postal Address: City:
Country:
Phone Number: Fax Number:

E-mail Address:

Organisation Information
Name of Organisation:
Position in Organisation:

Academic Information (Background information if not
currently a student)
University:
Faculty: Year of Study:

Occupation (if not currently a student):

Additional Information
Passport Number:
Passport Expiry Date:

Do you need an invitation letter: ____________
Are you applying for travel assistance:___________

Completed Application Forms can be e-mailed to:
[email protected]