AFEW: Projects >> Comprehensive Website on Harm Reduction and HIV/AIDS/STI

Comprehensive Website on Harm Reduction and HIV/AIDS/STI

PROJECT DURATION: September 2002 through September 2004

DONORS: The Open Society Institute (www.soros.org)

REGION: Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA)

Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) are currently experiencing the fastest growing HIV/AIDS epidemic in the world. Given the high levels of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and the high rates of injecting drug use among young people, growth of the epidemic will continue at an alarming rate (UNAIDS, 'AIDS epidemic update, December 2002', 2002).

The late start of the epidemic in the region provides an opportunity to take advantage of knowledge gained from other parts of the world in the struggle against the pandemic. The adequate flow of information between international sources and NIS countries, as well as the exchange of information within CIS countries is vital in order to take advantage of this unique opportunity. The World Wide Web is a potentially valuable tool in distributing information and promoting communication throughout this region, although the availability of accessible and well-organised electronic information in Russian is extremely limited.

PROJECT PURPOSE:
To create a comprehensive and sustainable Russian language website on harm reduction (HR) and HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that will provide well-organised, up-to-date materials and links, and promote horizontal communication between organisations working in the field, thus helping to reduce the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic among Russian speaking populations.

TARGET AUDIENCE(S):
Professionals working in fields related to HR and HIV/AIDS/STIs including medical professionals, governmental organisations, NGOs, and journalists.

OBJECTIVE(S):
1. To design and maintain a comprehensive, easy-to-use web site on HR and HIV/AIDS/STIs
2. To promote organisations working in the fields of HR and HIV/AIDS/STIs using the internet to gather and distribute materials and to communicate with one other

(EXPECTED) RESULTS:
At the end of the project a sustainable, comprehensive, accessible Russian language web site on HR and HIV/AIDS/STIs will exist and be used by professionals working in these fields.

(EXPECTED) MATERIALS PRODUCTION:
An average of 50 pages of translated and/or edited material should be posted each month - that is, a minimum of 1 200 pages during the project's duration. Additionally, materials translated and/or edited by other AFEW projects will also be posted on the website, as well as any materials produced by content partners.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Natalia Pimanova
Head of the Information Services and Quality Management Department
AIDS Foundation East-West (AFEW)
E-mail: natalia_pimanova@afew.org

Office Address:
Chayanova St. 15/5
Moscow 125267 Russian Federation
Tel: + 7 495 250 6377
Fax: + 7 495 250 6387
Website: www.afew.org

International Postal Address:
AFEW
P. O. Box 75752
1070 AT Amsterdam
The Netherlands