NOVEMBER 3, 2007 - PRE-APHA WORKSHOP - THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNITY-BASED PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IN IMPROVING CHILD HEALTH: A REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE AND FINDINGS FROM THE FIELD (PAN AMERICAN HEALTH ORGANIZATION, WASHINGTON, DC)

***** IMPORTANT UPDATE *****

DUE TO THE TREMENDOUS RESPONSE FOR THIS WORKSHOP, IT HAS BEEN MOVED TO A LARGER VENUE AND REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN AGAIN. SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS

Over the past two years, a Task Force of the APHA Working Group on Community-Based Primary Health Care (CBPHC) has been guiding a review of the effectiveness of CBPHC in improving child health. The workshop will focus on the findings from this review and will also provide an opportunity for current insights provided by distinguished CBPHC practitioners.

In the morning, Paul Freeman and Henry Perry will summarize the findings of the CBPHC review and its implications for policy, practice and research. Paul and Henry are Co-Chairs of the Task Force guiding the review. Paul is an international public health consultant based in Seattle, WA, and Henry is Carl Taylor Professor for Equity and Empowerment at Future Generations, in Franklin, WV. Several exemplary case studies of outstanding examples of CBPHC in improving child health will also be presented. This review now benefits from the active collaboration of a distinguished Expert Review Panel from around the world, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the World Bank.

Joining the group for the afternoon will be Lisa Howard-Grabman. Lisa is a renowned trainer in community empowerment and developer of the Warmi method of women’s empowerment for improving maternal and perinatal health, which is now being implemented in a number of countries and showing exciting results.

The workshop will be highly interactive. Participants at all levels of public health experience are welcome - from students to highly seasoned professionals.

In order to accommodate the many people wishing to attend the workshop, it has been moved from a room of limited size in the Washington Convention Center to the main auditorium at the PAHO headquarters at 525 23rd St, NW, Washington, DC 20037.

To register, send an email to Sandy Hoar, Assistant Clinical Professor of Health Sciences Programs and of Global Health, George Washington University (npaseh@gwumc.edu) with your full name, position, organizational affiliation, location, and email address. Please request directions from Sandy, if you need them. You can also contact Sandy if you cannot attend but would like to receive materials from the workshop.

For further information contact: Henry Perry (henry@future.org) or Paul Freeman (freeman.p.a@att.net).

 

NOVEMBER 4 – 7, 2007 – AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING (WASHINGTON CONVENTION CENTER, WASHINGTON, DC)

The APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition is the oldest and largest gathering of public health professionals in the world, attracting more than 13,000 national and international physicians, administrators, nurses, educators, researchers, epidemiologists, and related health specialists. APHA's meeting program addresses current and emerging health science, policy, and practice issues in an effort to prevent disease and promote health. Participants have an opportunity to learn from the experts in the field, hear about cutting edge research and exceptional best practices, discover the latest public health products and services, and share their public health experiences with peers. CCIH will have a booth (#949) in the exhibit hall.

Advanced registration for the meeting is now closed. On-site registration will be available at the Washington Convention Center. For more information about the annual meeting, go to http://www.apha.org/meetings.

 

NOVEMBER 8 – 10, 2007 – GLOBAL MISSIONS HEALTH CONFERENCE (SOUTHEAST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, LOUISVILLE, KY)

The Global Missions Health Conference began in 1996 as a way to bring Christian healthcare professionals and students together to network with missions and ministry experts. From its first gathering of a couple hundred people, the conference has grown to become the largest of its kind in the world, drawing more than 2,000 each year.

An interactive pre-conference each year encourages participants to develop strategies on various medical missions issues such as HIV/AIDS, and holistic healing. Plenary speakers at the conference come from both small and large para-church organizations, prominent medical and research schools, and government and church leaders. In addition to main sessions, the conference offers dozens of breakout sessions in smaller, often interactive formats. Many sessions are offered with continuing education credit. The conference also provides a selection of spiritually edifying experiences such as worship and prayer. And there is an abundant amount of time dedicated to networking. CCIH is a co-sponsor or partner in this conference and will have a booth in the exhibit hall. Several CCIH members will be on the program.

Steve Saint, son of missionary Nate Saint who was killed in 1956 by an Amazon tribe, will be a keynote speaker at a November 8 pre-conference with the theme “Empowering the local church.” Eli Catacunga, a Christian Amazon tribesman, will also be speaking. At the main conference, Dr. Peter Okaalet, Senior Africa Director of CCIH member MAP International and a Time Magazine Global Health Hero, will be giving a Christian perspective on the fight against AIDS.

Registration is currently available online. For more information about the conference, go to http://www.medicalmissions.com.

 

NOVEMBER 15, 2007: CHRISTIAN RESPONSES TO HIV AND AIDS IN THE UK (SALVATION ARMY INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, LONDON)

The Christian HIV/AIDS Alliance(CHAA - http://www.chaa.info) is holding a conference on 'Christian Responses to HIV and AIDS in the UK' on Thursday 15th November from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the Salvation Army's International HQ, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London. CHAA is a network of 17 development agencies and churches which exists to see a mobilized UK Christian community, aware of and active in compassionate Christian responses to the global HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The conference is a response to CHAA research in June this year into attitudes by ministers and churchgoers in the UK to HIV and AIDS. This revealed that UK churches wanted to know more about practical ways of becoming involved. For more information, go to the website. To register, contact Ken Pearson at ken.n.pearson@btinternet.com. For those who cannot attend, they will be publishing conference materials on their website after the event.

 

NOVEMBER 15, 2007: LAUNCH OF FERTILITY AWARENESS-BASED METHODS (FAM) PROJECT (GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON, DC)

For a description of this event, see #6 above.

 

NOVEMBER 19-22, 2007 - ASIA CUTTING EDGE: THE CHILD OUTSIDE THE DOOR (BANGKOK, THAILAND)

Asia Cutting Edge is the meeting place of the Christian movement for children at risk in Asia. It is organized by the Viva Network (http://www.viva.org). The Conference will enable leaders, decision makers and senior staff of Christian organizations and churches engaged with children to meet. It will advance work that enables children to be all they can be as God intends. Conference participants will be key drivers of the children at risk agenda in their own organizations. They include decision makers and senior staff from a wide range of organizations concerned for children, national, regional and international church leaders, child specialists, seminarians and academics. For more information on the conference, go to http://www.asia.viva.org/asiace. This is an invitation-only event: If you or a colleague would like an invitation to this event please write to the conference coordinator at asiace2007@viva.org.

 

NOVEMBER 26-30, 2007 - ISLAM AND HIV/AIDS (JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA)

The organizers of this conference, although focusing on the Islamic community, invite members of other faith traditions to participate. Sponsored by Islamic Relief Worldwide (http://www.islamic-relief.com), the conference aims to generate practical responses to the HIV and AIDS pandemic from an Islamic perspective. Recognizing that HIV/AIDS is increasingly affecting all communities, including Muslims, this conference aims to contribute to halting the spread of this disease and to ensuring appropriate care for the people who have been affected by it. It will do so by bringing together three groups in an innovative partnership: Islamic scholars (with the ability to forge change within their respective countries and communities); people who are living with HIV and AIDS (ensuring that the conference remains focused on practically addressing the realities of the disease); and HIV and AIDS practitioners, especially those from the various faith-based communities, (who can provide invaluable insights into the multiple dimensions of the disease and the practicalities of tackling its effects on individuals and communities).

For more information about the conference, go to http://islamandhivaids.org.

 

NOVEMBER 28, 2007 - DEADLINE FOR ABSTRACT SUBMISSION FOR NEW INVESTIGATORS IN GLOBAL HEALTH FOR 2008 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GLOBAL HEALTH OF THE GLOBAL HEALTH COUNCIL

The Global Health Council invites abstract submissions for its New Investigators in Global Health (NIGH) program. The NIGH program is a competitive abstract submission and selection program designed to highlight exemplary research, policy and advocacy initiatives of new and future leaders in global health, and empower participants with global health advocacy skills. The program also provides the selected participants with the opportunity to make a presentation at a major international conference. The NIGH Program is open to all students currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program in a health-related field OR new professionals who have received their terminal degree in a health-related field within the past two years (i.e. graduating in or since May 2006).
Abstracts are sought from across the global health spectrum.

For more information about the program, go to http://www.globalhealth.org/conference/view_top.php3?id=770.

 

NOVEMBER 28 - 30, 2007 – GLOBAL SUMMIT ON AIDS AND THE CHURCH (SADDLEBACK CHURCH, LAKE FOREST, CA)

The Global Summit on AIDS and the Church was begun in 2005 by Rick and Kay Warren. It is a high profile event that joins church leaders and members together with faith-based organizations and experts from public and private sectors.

Spanning three days, summit participants will have an incredibly unique opportunity to hear from the foremost leaders addressing the AIDS pandemic. From medical developments to political action to on-the-ground relief workers, the resources at your fingertips will be unmatched as you connect with others working to end this disease. This summit will also provide participants with the information and tools needed to discover how congregations, organizations, or agencies can start to make a positive change. Every element of the summit is designed to start conversations and build networking that will make the movement to eradicate AIDS all the stronger.

A special guest for this year's summit will be Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS, who will be speaking on November 29. And Saddleback is inviting all of the leading US Presidential candidates to participate in a panel discussion on what they plan to do about the HIV and AIDS pandemic on both the global and domestic front.

Also offered this year for the first time is a choice of 6 Pre-Summit sessions on the morning of November 28. You must register for the main summit and pay an additional registration fee of $45 to attend these pre-summit sessions. A special World AIDS Day concert is planned for the evening of November 30 and a Global Youth Post-Summit session will be offered on December 1 in the morning.
 
Registration is now open but space is limited. Local hotels are offering a limited number of rooms at a special conference rate. Go to http://www.purposedriven.com/en-US/HIVAIDSCommunity/GlobalConference/Initiative.htm for more information.

 

NOVEMBER 29-DECEMBER1, 2007 - AFRICAN HEALTH CARE WORKER SHORTAGE: FORUM ON PRIVATE SECTOR RESPONSES (DUKE UNIVERSITY, DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA)

This conference is being organized by the Health Sector Management program at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business (http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/programs/health) and the Duke Global Health Institute (http://globalhealth.duke.edu) and co-sponsored by the Global Health Workforce Alliance (a partnership, administered by WHO, http://www.who.int/workforcealliance/en). It will feature leaders from the private sector who are pursuing innovative, effective ways to respond to the pressing needs of the health workforce in Africa. Among the speakers is CCIH member Dr. Jono Quick of Management Sciences for Health and Dr. Mark Jacobson, Medical Director of the Selian Lutheran Hospital in Arusha, Tanzania.

The conference will be organized around the following topics: 

• analysis of the labor force shortage
• impact of the shortage on existing African health-oriented initiatives
• incentives and the economics of private sector involvement
• future directions and priorities

For information and to register, go to http://www.fuqua.duke.edu/programs/health/conferences/afhcconf/index.html.

 

DECEMBER 5-7, 2007: AERDO ANNUAL FORUM (NATIONAL 4-H CONFERENCE CNETER, CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND)

Don’t miss this opportunity to feed your spirit and sharpen your mind while networking with relief and development colleagues from dozens of like-minded organizations. In addition, learn the “ins” and “outs” of how to position your organization when developing relationships with the U.S. Government, the media and the North American Church. This 3-day forum will kick-off on Wednesday, December 5th at 1:30 PM with an optional pre-conference Gift-in-Kind (GIK) Seminar beginning at 9:00 AM on the same day.

AERDO, the Association of Evangelical Relief and Development Organizations, http://www.aerdo.net, was founded in 1978. It is a network of about 60 major evangelical Christian relief and development agencies across North America, 17 of which are also organizational members of CCIH.

Registration is $325 for individuals associated with an AERDO member organization, and $395 for non-members. For more information: http://www.aerdo.net/forum_2007.To register, go to http://www.regonline.com/aerdo.

 

JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 2, 2008 - INTERNATIONAL FAITH AND DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE: FRUIT THAT LASTS (CALVIN COLLEGE, GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN)

The overarching theme of the 2008 Faith and International Development Conference is sustainability. A focus will be on the key role of partnerships between the Global North and the Global South. The goal of the conference, which is co-sponsored by CCIH, is to encourage dialogue between students and development professionals about what authentic sustainability and partnership looks like and to challenge one another to cooperate more fully.

The conference schedule will be split between five plenary and five breakout sessions. Plenary sessions will cover Sustainability in community development, Ecological view of sustainability, Sustainability in health care for the poor, the contribution of business to economic sustainability, and a final panel discussion reflecting on the ideas presented throughout the conference.

More detailed information about the Calvin Conference will be available soon. The contact person for the conference is Michelle Fraser (maf8@calvin.edu).

 

FEBRUARY 4-14, 2008 - 29TH INTERNATIONAL CMDE CONFERENCE (NAIROBI, KENYA)

The CMDE (Christian Medical and Dental Education) conference is designed for physicians, dentists and public health professionals serving in mission agencies-institutions-clinics outside of North America. The educational goal of the conference is to provide state of the art updating and review of modern medicine with Category I credit for physicians as well as dental education credit. Priority registration was given to American physicians, dentists, nurses, and ancillary personnel living and serving in missions abroad. However, after since September 15, registration has been open to any physician, dentist, nurse, and ancillary medical personnel who is living and serving in missions abroad as long as they are sponsored by a CMDA member.

For further information or to register, please contact:

Donnie Luper, DMD
PO Box 202
Bridgeton, NC 28519-0202
E-mail: lupercmda@suddenlink.net

 

FEBRUARY 19, 2008 - DEADLINE FOR ABSTRACT SUBMISSION AND SKILLS BUILDING WORKSHOPS PROPOSALS FOR INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE 2008

The International AIDS Society has announced that online submission for abstracts for the International AIDS Conference 2008 (http://www.aids2008.org - see notice below for August 3-8, 2008) will begin on November 1, 2007 with a deadline of February 19, 2008.

Abstract topics should fall under one of the five general tracks:

Track A: Biology and Pathogenesis of HIV
Track B: Clinical Research, Treatment and Care  
Track C: Epidemiology, Prevention and Prevention Research
Track D: Social, Behavioural and Economic Science
Track E: Policy & Political Science

Abstract submission guidelines will soon be available at http://www.aids2008.org/mainpage.aspx?pageId=174. Information regarding skills building workshop proposals will eventually be available on the conference website.

APRIL 12-13, 2008 - UNITE FOR SIGHT 5th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL HEALTH CONFERENCE: BUILDING GLOBAL HEALTH FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW (YALE UNIVERSITY, NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT)

Join 2,000 people interested in public health, global health, international development, social entrepreneurship, nonprofits, philanthropy, microfinance, medicine, human rights, anthropology, education, health policy, advocacy, public service, environmental health, and eye care. This empowering, energizing conference brings together students, doctors, nurses, Peace Corps volunteers, public health, business and nonprofit professionals, anthropologists, policy makers, philanthropists, educators, and others.

The conference will include keynote addresses by 130 experts from around the world including Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, Dr. Sonia Sachs, Dr. Susan Blumenthal, and Dr. Jim Yong Kim. Registration is now available online with prices rising monthly.

For more information, go to http://uniteforsight.org/conference/2008/index.php.

 

APRIL 13-15, 2008: BREAKTHROUGH: THE WOMEN, FAITH AND DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT TO END GLOBAL POVERTY (WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL, WASHINGTON, DC)

For more information on this event go to the website at http://www.wfd-alliance.org.

 

MAY 24-26, 2008 - CCIH ANNUAL CONFERENCE: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WHOLENESS (BISHOP CLAGGETT CENTER, BUCKEYSTOWN, MARYLAND)

The CCIH Annual Conference will once again be held at the Bishop Claggett Center. The theme for 2008 - Community Health and Wholeness - celebrates the unique and important role that faith-based organizations can play in providing quality health care at the community level, where they are often the only ones working. Participants will mark the 30th anniversary of the Alma Ata Declaration by taking a critical look at the track record of FBOs and the church with regard to serving the needs of communities and will discuss ways in which this service can be even more effective and appropriate in the future.

Mark your calendars and plan to join us as we share, reflect, debate and join for fellowship on May 24 - 26! The Conference planning committee will be contacting members for suggestions for topics for plenary and workshop sessions during the conference and pre-conference. CCIH will invite its members and others interested in presenting to submit workshop proposals to aid in identifying the best topics and presenters. More information on this will be available soon.

Any comments, suggestions or questions may be sent to Sharon at sfranzen@ccih.org.

 

MAY 27-31, 2008 - INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GLOBAL HEALTH - COMMUNITY HEALTH: DELIVERING, SERVING, ENGAGING, LEADING (OMNI SHOREHAM HOTEL, WASHINGTON, DC)

Participants at the Global Health Council Conference will examine past and present approaches to community-based health care, digesting failures and successes, best practices, key players, etc. in their quest to learn to use this knowledge to move forward and scale up services to those who need it most. While regular abstract deadlines for the conference have passed, there is still time to submit abstracts under the New Investigators in Global Health category - see November 28 above. CCIH encourages members of the faith community to submit abstracts so that the FBO voice can be even more influential in discussions about the future.

For information on the conference, go to http://www.globalhealth.org/conference.

 

JULY 31- AUGUST 2, 2008 - ECUMENICAL PRE-CONFERENCE TO THE INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE (MEXICO CITY, MEXICO)

This pre-conference, sponsored by the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA - http://www.e-alliance.ch) will be attended by about 500 faith-based delegates. The EAA has played a critical role in coordinating the participation of faith-based representatives in the last three International AIDS Conferences (2002 Barcelona, 2004 Bangkok, and 2006 Toronto) and will play the same role for the 2008 IAC in Mexico City. A coordinating team is forming and specific information will be available in the coming months. Initial information may be viewed at http://www.e-alliance.ch/iac_2008.jsp.

 

AUGUST 3–8, 2008 – INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE (MEXICO CITY, MEXICO)

The International AIDS Conference is the world’s largest HIV/AIDS forum, with over 20,000 participants, including 2,500 journalists. As the first International AIDS Conference to be held in Latin America, the XVII International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2008) is expected to increase awareness of the disease and its impact throughout the region. Planning for AIDS 2008 is now underway, with planning committees organized along the three main program areas: the Scientific Program, the Community Program and the Leadership Program. Organizers are committed to creating a far-reaching program featuring the latest developments in HIV research, prevention and treatment, with continued attention given to the dangers of HIV-related stigma, discrimination and misinformation. For general information about the conference, go to http://www.aids2008.org. For information about the International AIDS Society, go to http://www.iasociety.org.

Key dates regarding the conference can be found at http://www.aids2008.org/subpage.aspx?pageId=328. Please note that online submission begins on November 1 for conference abstracts and on December 5 for skills building workshop proposals. The deadline for both of these is February 19, 2008 (see February 19 above).

Registration for the AIDS conference begins on November 1. Information regarding registration categories and fees can be found at http://www.aids2008.org/mainpage.aspx?pageId=4. Standard fees will be in effect until February 19, 2008. Information about conference scholarships is available at http://www.aids2008.org/mainpage.aspx?pageId=296.

 

SEPTEMBER 7-10, 2008 - INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN MEDICAL AND DENTAL ASSOCIATION HIV INITIATIVE EURASIA REGIONAL CONFERENCE (GRAZ, AUSTRIA)

The Eurasia regional conference of CCIH member ICMDA will draw together doctors and AIDS activities from the churches across Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. A call for papers will go out soon. For further information about the conference, go to http://www.icmda2008.archae.at and http://www.icmdahivinitiative.org or contact Michael Burke at team@icmdahivinitiative.org.

 

DECEMBER 8-11, 2008 - 15th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AIDS AND SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS IN AFRICA –ICASA (DAKAR, SENEGAL)

The 15th ICASA Conference, originally scheduled to be held in Gabon in 2007, will now be held in Senegal in December 2008. With more than 5,000 delegates from across the globe, ICASA 2008 will be organized by the Society on AIDS in Africa (SAA) under the patronage of the Government of Senegal. The initial planning has already begun. Keep an eye on the conference website, http://www.icasadakar2008.org, for further information.

The Pan African Christian AIDS Network (PACANet - http://www.pacanet.net) will most likely be organizing a Christian Pre-conference for this event.

 

ADDITIONAL CONFERENCES AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

For an extensive list of conferences of interest to or about medical missions (or to give notice about an upcoming conference) visit the website of CCIH Affiliate, Medical Mission Exchange, at http://www.mmex.org/conferences.aspx.

King College Center for Global Health Care, a CCIH member, operates the Peeke School of Christian Mission which offers workshops all year round on a variety of topics in health and Christian missions. For information on upcoming workshops go to http://www.king.edu/Academics/Schools/pscm/cghc/workshops.asp.

For lists of other upcoming public health conferences (both secular and faith-based):

• Subscribe to the Friday letter, a weekly report from the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) by sending an email to FridayLetter@asph.org. Many other resources, including funding opportunities for both faculty and students, can be found on their website, http://www.asph.org.
• Refer to the website of the Kaiser Family Foundation at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/calendar/calendar.cfm.
• The Global Health Council maintains a calendar of general events with a filter just for conferences at http://www.globalhealth.org/calendar.php.

 

3. OTHER NEWS AND RESOURCES

FAITH COMMUNITY RECEIVES AFFIRMATIONS REGARDING ITS ROLE AND INFLUENCE

In recent weeks the international faith community has received affirmations from world leaders that it can and does influence global issues. To a community that is ever struggling to make its voice heard and have its efforts recognized and valued, this is good news indeed.

The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, is the source of some of this affirmation. On October 11, he addressed a dinner hosted in Arlington, Virginia by the National Association of Evangelicals (http://www.nae.net) and the Micah Challenge (http://www.micahchallenge.org) in which he spoke of the faith community as "allies" to the United Nations. "We cannot do it alone. We need good allies such as you. We need the National Association of Evangelicals, Micah Challenge and others in the faith community to help be a voice to the voiceless people,” he said. He declared that the UN and faith communities shared the "common cause" of "ending war and building peace, ... helping the poor... aiding the victims of conflict, famine, disease and disaster... protecting human rights and promoting the rule of law." The Secretary General acknowledged the efforts of Christians around the world as they daily move forward on these issues. He also firmly acknowledged the influence that the faith community has and the role it can play in order to "push Governments to follow through on their commitments" to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The event and Ban Ki-moon's comments sent a message to people of faith: Keep up the good work. Lift up your voice and speak out. Never underestimate your role and your ability to make a difference. To read the full text of the Secretary General's remarks, go to http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/sgsm11218.doc.htm. A NAE press release can be viewed at http://www.nae.net/index.cfm?FUSEACTION=editor.page&pageID=485&IDcategory=1. The event was reviewed in an article in Christian Today, available at http://www.christiantoday.com/article/ban.tells.church.not.to.underestimate.its.power/13888.htm.

On October 25, it was the turn of the British Prime Minister to acknowledge the work of the church in meeting the needs of those in poverty, both in the UK and around the world. Gordon Brown met with the members of the Black Christian Leaders Forum at Downing Street. Among those present was Rev. Joel Edwards, the International Chairman of Micah Challenge and General Director of the Evangelical Alliance. Brown called upon the Christian leaders to work with the government "to build a stronger society" saying that their efforts "were appreciated throughout the whole country." But the opportunity, and responsibility, to serve was not limited to the UK. Invoking the MDGs, Brown said "What we have in common is not only what we do here in the UK but also our responsibility, because of our shared moral sense, to the rest of the world." Rev. Edwards was pleased with the meeting which, he said, "should be an inspiration for Christians around the world ... [that] campaigning does work – world leaders are taking notice." The Prime Minister's remarks can be found at http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page13625.asp. An article about the meeting is at http://www.christiantoday.com/article/brown.asks.micah.challenge.leader.to.help.achieve.poverty.targets/14267.htm.

 

CARIBBEAN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES LEADER IN FIGHT AGAINST HIV

The Caribbean region is second only to Sub-Saharan Africa in the rate of HIV infection. It is the leading cause of death among adults aged 15-44. Among the leaders in the fight against the disease is the Caribbean Council of Churches (CCC - http://www.ccc-caribe.org). The faith-based community can be extremely influential in Caribbean society and CCC "is well-positioned to carry out work in mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS and scaling up the response of faith-based organisations to HIV/AIDS", according to its website. It was recognized in the 2001 World Bank Country Study on HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean states which stated that "Religious institutions represent a major source in the effort to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean. Following the example of the Caribbean Conference of Churches, the creation of fora and formal alliances among the various religious organisations involved in the effort to combat AIDS at the country level ought to be given priority consideration."

The CCC has been led since 1999 by General Secretary Gerard Granado, who is a Roman Catholic layperson. The organization, headquartered in Trinidad, has 33 member churches in 34 territories. It was the first regional ecumenical organization to include the Catholic Church as a founder member alongside Protestant and Anglican denominations. According to a recent address the Secretary General gave to the World Alliance of Reformed Churches in Haiti, the CCC is aware of and responding to the needs of the region (see http://www.christiantoday.com/article/caribbean.christian.leader.says.churches.in.front.line.of.hiv.fight/14250.htm).

The HIV/AIDS program of the CCC involves Counseling training; Education and training in behavior change and communication programs geared toward youth, clergy and the integration of HIV/AIDS in denominational educational facility curriculum including schools, theological colleges, Sunday school etc.; Advocacy and awareness building (including sensitization for clergy and lay persons, partnering the regional media); Seed money to support member church initiatives; Assisting member Churches in the provision of care facilities and support for people living with AIDS and their families; and Provision of technical and other expertise in support of member church initiatives. In 2005 the organization produced a document entitled Guidelines for Caribbean Faith-Based Organisations in Developing Policies and Action Plans to deal with HIV/AIDS which came out of an international, interfaith consultation supported by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The consultation was part of a larger project funded by CIDA to mobilize and enhance the response of FBO is the Caribbean.

 

INFORMATION REQUESTED REGARDING FBOs, MARGINALIZED PEOPLES AND HIV

Calle Almedal, retired UNAIDS Partnerships Advisor and a friend of CCIH, is currently consulting with UNAIDS on the issue of the work of FBOs with marginalized groups and HIV. He is seeking to document new and on-going FBO activities which have an HIV component, seeing this as "an opportunity for FBOs to show what they have done in the field of HIV, many for decades, and what they will continue to do for as long as it takes." Calle has expanded the concept of "marginalized groups" beyond the usual definition (orphans and vulnerable children, migrant populations, intravenous drug users, men having sex with other men and sex workers, people with HIV) to include people with handicaps (mental or physical), people with leprosy, indigenous populations, and any other group defined by an FBO as marginalized. He is also interested in knowing about FBOs working with people misusing alcohol and who have an HIV component in that work. In order to be able to use information from and about FBOs who work in difficult situations, Calle is willing to arrange to forego the use of names and specific countries, when necessary. A full description of Calle's request may be found on the CARIS website at http://www.cabsa.co.za/newsite/DisplayPage.asp?Id=346.

Please send any relevant information on this topic to: C. Almedal, c/o WCC - COE, Case Postale 2100, 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland. Or call Calle at +41 22 788 33 07 (office), +33 4 50 56 11 16 (home) or + 41 78 601 99 16 (cell).

 

NEW INTERNATIONAL GRANTSTATION INSIDER NEWSLETTER

The Center for Faith Based & Community Initiatives of USAID (http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/global_partnerships/fbci) has announced that USAID has partnered with GrantStation (http://www.grantstation.com) to create a groundbreaking new publication, the International GrantStation Insider, which was launched on Monday October 29th.  The International GrantStation Insider is a monthly e-newsletter, sent the last Monday of every month, which focuses entirely on international development opportunities to provide readers with the latest information on new funding programs, upcoming grant deadlines, conferences, and general information for grant seekers. The newsletter will be completely free for the first year it is offered (October 29, 2007 to October 27, 2008).

GrantStation’s International Insider is a valuable tool for development organizations working internationally and is the only e-newsletter of its kind providing such a varied scope of resources to such a broad audience for free.  It contains industry news as well as highlights of philanthropic announcements, conferences, and training opportunities of interest to development organizations. It provides funding opportunities and up-to-date announcements about up-coming grant deadlines from a variety of foundations, corporations, and other international development donors both domestic and abroad, as well as funding opportunities available through government agencies such as USAID, the State Department, the U.K. Department for International Development, and other foreign government funding sources. To receive the International Insider, go to http://www.grantstationinsider.com/?p=subscribe&id=30.

 

USAID RELEASES FIRST-EVER ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS ON ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) released the first-ever annual report to Congress detailing U.S. Government (USG) efforts to address the needs of orphans and vulnerable children throughout the developing world.  The report is titled Highly Vulnerable Children: Causes, Consequences and Actions and can be found at http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PDACK053.pdf. The USAID press release for the report is at http://www.usaid.gov/press/releases/2007/pr071012.html.

In fiscal year 2006 funding for U.S. programs that included services for orphans and vulnerable children exceeded $5 billion and reached more than 135 million children. The Assistance to Orphans and Other Children in Developing Countries Act of 2005 was enacted to improve coordination, communication and effectiveness of USG assistance targeted towards orphans and vulnerable children all around the world.  Termed by USAID as highly vulnerable children (HVC), this includes children affected by natural disaster, HIV/AIDS, war and conflict, internal displacement, exploitive labor, trafficking, disability, abandonment, extreme poverty and other causes.  Cooperation among USG agencies, NGOs, and international partners enables the USG to engage with them in pursuing coherent global policies and approaches to address the causes and special needs of highly vulnerable children. 

In planning for the coming year, the Interagency Committee for Highly Vulnerable Children will meet at least four times annually. It will become the primary vehicle for multi-agency exchange of information and collaboration, though we will maintain and expand individual interagency contacts as well.  International organizations participate in the Interagency Committee for Highly Vulnerable Children. The USG will continue to support the work of international organizations involved in providing services to vulnerable children and will coordinate its own service delivery efforts with theirs.   Also, over the next several months, the three USG missions (Ethiopia, Uganda and Indonesia)that have volunteered to serve as fast-track sites for improved in-country coordination of efforts to serve highly vulnerable children will develop their own coordination and joint programming mechanisms – both among USG agencies working in that country and with the national government, international organizations, nongovernmental partners, and the private sector. 

Dr. S. Ken Yamashita, USG Special Advisor for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, considers efforts to alleviate child suffering a “moral imperative". In a letter concerning the report he said, "While our work is still in the beginning phases, the efforts involved over the past 18 months have been remarkable. We are maximizing the best, most complementary resources within the USG; are coordinating closely with partners and the international community; and are in the midst of identifying pilot programs to scale up for expanded reach and impact. Most importantly, we are championing the healthy development and human dignity of young people most in need.” The report highlights what is currently being done but also indicates how the impact can be increased.

 

PRESENTATIONS FROM USAID GLOBAL HEALTH MINI-UNIVERSITY AVAILABLE ON MAQ INITIATIVE WEBSITE

The 7th Annual USAID Global Health Mini-University was held at George Washington University on October 5. Presentations, and even some handouts, from most of the 70 courses offered are now available for free download at http://www.maqweb.org/miniu/index.php?eventYear=2007#1. The courses were split into 7 categories: Cross-cutting; Family Planning and maternal Health Integration; Family Planning and Reproductive Health; HIV/AIDS; Infectious Diseases; Knowledge Extravaganza; and Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. Presentations from the 2006 Mini-University are also available for download.

The MAQ (Maximizing Access and Quality) Intitiative (http://www.maqweb.org) of USAID's Office of Population and Reproductive Health aim is to bring together USAID/Washington, USAID Missions, the cooperating agency (CA) community and other partners to identify and implement practical, cost-effective, and evidence-based interventions aimed at improving both the access to and quality of family planning and reproductive health services. It was established in 1994 in response to the large unmet demand for voluntary contraceptive services. It is based on the understanding that removing barriers, promoting access and improving quality by focusing on specific practical interventions can serve the needs of clients and thereby markedly improve programs. In addition to information on the Mini-University programs, the MAQ website provides a wealth of resources, including more than 30 Global Health Technical Briefs, advocacy tools and other publications.

 

WORLD AIDS DAY ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES

The theme for the 2007 World AIDS Day (WAD), December 1, is Leadership. In choosing this theme, the World AIDS Campaign recognized that good leaders at every level of society are needed in order to progress in the struggle against the disease. The Campaign has also acknowledged the role that civil society, including faith-based organizations and communities, have played, and can continue to play, the global HIV/AIDS efforts, saying "Much of the best leadership on AIDS has been demonstrated within civil society organisations challenging the status quo. Making leadership the theme of the next two World AIDS Days will help encourage leadership on AIDS within all levels and sectors of society. We hope it will inspire and foster champions within a range of different groups and networks at local and international levels."

We have collected some information on World AIDS Day activities and resources. This is just an initial list. If you have additional information to share, please send it to Sharon at sfranzen@ccih.org.

• The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA) has issued an Action Alert for the faith-based community to encourage involvement in some way at all levels on World AIDS Day. To view the alert, go to http://www.e-alliance.ch/media/media-7100.pdf. Linda Hartke, Coordinator for the EAA and a member of the World AIDS Campaign Steering Committee, highlights the leadership role that the faith community can, and should, assume: “Leadership can imply the power and authority to make a difference, to lead by action and example...By taking on the global theme of leadership for World AIDS Day, faith leaders and the communities they are a part of can help articulate a vision, build relationships and take concrete action in solidarity with all people committed to reaching universal access for HIV prevention, treatment and care.” Further information on WAD can be found at http://www.e-alliance.ch/wad.jsp. For a list of resources collected by the EAA, including worship ideas, go to http://www.e-alliance.ch/hiv_resources.jsp.
• The World AIDS Campaign has a wealth of information about planned WAD activities and is collecting resources from around the world. Go to http://www.worldaidscampaign.info.
• CABSA/CARIS, an HIV/AIDS information network from South Africa, is collecting resources specifically for WAD but also has also of resources, including some excellent worship materials, on HIV/AIDS. Go to http://www.cabsa.co.za/newsite/DisplayPage.asp?Id=262.
• Acting on AIDS/World Vision has organized a "6000 Reasons" campaign for college campuses - to highlight the fact that 6000 children lose a parent to AIDS every day - and is offering free resources for those contacting them by November 2. Go to http://www.worldvision.org/aoa.nsf/aids/events_6000challenge for more information.

 

PBS SPECIAL "CHILD BRIDES: STOLEN LIVES" AVAILABLE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD

In the September bulletin, the issue of Child Marriages was highlighted (http://www.ccih.org/bulletin/0907.htm#42). On October 12 PBS aired its hour-long video entitled "Child Brides: Stolen Lives" which can now be downloaded for free from the PBS website. In the video NOW's Senior Correspondent Maria Hinojosa "takes viewers on a journey of sorrow, healing and hope, including scenes of an illegal midnight wedding in India where children as young as three are married." Maria travels to Niger, India and Guatemala to discover the cultural, societal and economic issues surrounding early marriage. In addition to the video, visitors to the website can learn more about the issue, read journals of the trip, hear recordings from the girls themselves and find out about advocacy opportunities. The video involves you in the everyday reality of these girls. Visit the site at http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/341/index.html. Read the press release at http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/341/press.html.

Our September article mentioned the work of the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) on the issue of early marriage. ICRW is seeking organizations that will endorse the 2007 Child Marriage Legislation: H.R. 3175, The International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2007, introduced by Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) and S. 1998, introduced by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill), that would will help ensure that U.S. assistance supports and builds on efforts to help eradicate child marriage in our lifetimes as well as ensure greater success in other international development efforts. Organizations that wish to endorse these bills should contact Dan Martin at dmartin@icrw.org or by phone at 202-742-1245. Further information can be found at http://www.icrw.org/html/getinvolved/advocacy-childmarriage.htm.

 

SPECIAL FOCUS ON MALARIA

President's Malaria Initiative: Upcoming 2008 Malaria Communities Program RFA - An RFA requesting comments on the proposed draft of the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) 2008 Malaria Communities Program (MCP) was posted on Oct 24 with a deadline of Oct 31. USAID/PMI/MCP anticipates being able to incorporate the comments and to issue a final RFA by mid to late November. The draft RFA can be found at http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=39976&flag2006=false&mode=VIEW. Further information about the PMI and MCP, go to http://www.fightingmalaria.gov.

UNICEF report shows gains made in reducing the burden of malaria -UNICEF recently released a new report entitled Children and Malaria: Progress in Intervention Coverage which it produced on behalf of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (http://www.rbm.who.int). The report claims a significant increase in the number of insecticide-treated bednets produced and distributed around the world, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Sixteen of 20 Sub-Saharan countries report that the number of children using the nets has tripled since 2000. This is good news for a region in which nearly one-fifth of all deaths in children under 5 is due to malaria. Another improvement making an impact on the fight against malaria is the adoption by most Sub-Saharan governments of the more effective artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). However, there are still many children who do not have access to these or any drugs. The report points to an increase in global funding for malaria programs as a step in the right direction but says that increased funding and commitment is the only way to meet the goal of at least 80% coverage of all anti-malaria interventions by 2010. Press releases for the report can be found at http://www.unicef.org/health/index_41226.html and http://www.rollbackmalaria.org/docs/unicef2007/prRBMUNICEF2007-10-17.pdf. The full report is at http://www.rollbackmalaria.org/docs/unicef2007/malariaandchildren_unicef2007.pdf. More coverage of the report can be found at http://globalhealthreporting.org/article.asp?DR_ID=48267.

Experimental Malaria Vaccine shows promise - Researchers are celebrating what looks to be significant progress toward a useable malaria vaccine. A study published in the October 17 issue of The Lancet reported that the Mosquirix vaccine, produced by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), reduced the rate of new malaria infections by 65% after three months among a group of infants aged 10 to 18 weeks in Mozambique. The original intention of the study was just to show that the vaccine was safe for use in infants. The vaccine had already been tested in children aged 1-4 years in 2004 (http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readnews&itemid=899&language=1), which showed a 45% reduction in new infections. A press release from GSK on the vaccine tiral can be found at http://www.gsk.com/ControllerServlet?appId=4&pageId=402&newsid=1132. Several media articles discuss the new vaccine: http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSL1775979820071017?sp=true; http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/18/health/18vaccine.html?_r=2&ref=world&oref=slogin&oref=slogin; http://www.scidev.net/content/news/eng/antimalaria-vaccine-candidate-rolls-towards-success.cfm. The online Lancet article can be found at http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673607615426/abstract?isEOP=true.

World Bank Malaria Booster Program for Africa Report - The World Bank released the two-year progress report on the Booster Program for Malaria Control in Africa which was designed to support the rapid scale-up of proven malaria interventions through tailored designs aimed at supporting national malaria control programs. Since the program began the World Bank has invested $500 million in 19 countries. However, the report states that $3 billion more each year is needed to tackle the disease. See http://www.globalhealthreporting.org/article.asp?DR_ID=48167 for an article on the report. Click here for an explanation of the booster program. The report can be downloaded at program can be found at http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTAFRBOOPRO/Resources/MALARIAREPORTfinalLOWRES.pdf.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Malaria Forum - More than 300 malaria experts and government officials from around the world gathered in Seattle, Washington for a Gates Foundation sponsored three day (Oct 16-18) forum. The aim of the forum was to provide a venue for collaboration and cross-disciplinary learning among representatives of several different sectors, including vaccines, vector control, drugs and advocacy. The hope was that the meeting would encourage greater coordination, more funding and a new commitment to eliminate malaria. It was an opportunity to take a look at what has been done, what achievements have been made and what still needs to be done; to determine where the efforts now need to be concentrated; and to build upon the momentum that the progress of the last few years has encouraged. While some celebrated the successes, others called for increased efforts in documenting the effects of the current strategies: gathering data on mortality and morbidity. Information from the Gates Foundation on the forum can be found at http://www.gatesfoundation.org/GlobalHealth/Pri_Diseases/Malaria/Related+Info/MalariaForum.htm; http://www.gatesfoundation.org/GlobalHealth/Pri_Diseases/Malaria/Announcements/Announce-071007.htm; and http://www.gatesfoundation.org/GlobalHealth/Pri_Diseases/Malaria/Announcements/Annouce-071017.htm. A webcast of the forum by The Kaiser Family Foundation can be found at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/health_cast/hcast_index.cfm?display=detail&hc=2288. Some articles on the forum are listed here: http://www.kpic.com/news/health/10617262.html; http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?hint=4&DR_ID=48266; http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/health/335750_malaria17.html; http://www.undispatch.com/archives/gates_malaria_forum/index.php.

Debate over Distribution of Bednets: Free Access or Social Marketing? An article in the New York Times on October 9, 2007 entitled "Distribution of Nets Splits Malaria Fighters" by Reuben Kyama and Donald G McNeil, Jr. (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/09/health/09nets.html?th&emc=th) sparked reactions by some of those "fighters". The article implied that the only acceptable method of distributing bednets was through free distribution, rather than through social marketing. It used quotes from Dr. Arata Kochi, the Director of the World Health Organization, to support this claim and cited instances where prominent people distributed nets for free, such as Laura Bush in Zambia. The implication of the article is that the only responsible option where bednets are concerned is to give them away, not to sell them.

The article prompted several responses, including one from Population Services International (PSI), which the authors credited with introducing social marketing. The PSI response, found at http://www.psi.org/news/1007c.html, disputes that there is a division over net delivery saying "As recently discussed in the Lancet journal [http://www.psi.org/resources/pubs/kenya-diversity.pdf], the malaria community stands together on a platform of rapidly achieving and sustaining equitable coverage of populations at risk of malaria using "catch up" strategies (e.g. free distribution through campaigns) as well as "keep up" strategies (e.g. sustained-access approaches including social marketing)." PSI said the article "undermines this important platform of consensus that has taken years to build."

It would be interesting to hear the experiences of CCIH members on this issue. Have your programs used free distribution and/or social marketing for bednets? For other items? Are there instances when you would choose one method over the other? Are you opposed to either method? Send your responses to Sharon at sfranzen@ccih.org.

 

4. GRANT ANNOUNCEMENTS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

The following list of grants and other funding opportunities appears monthly. CCIH welcomes information leading to new and varied sources of funding to share with its membership. Please contact Sharon at sfranzen@ccih.org. Please note that the list is now divided between entries that have been newly identified this month and those which have been previously listed. We hope that this will assist you in sifting through the information.

 

NEW LISTINGS AND UPDATES

NEW INTERNATIONAL GRANTSTATION INSIDER NEWSLETTER NEW

The International GrantStation Insider is a monthly e-newsletter, sent the last Monday of every month, which focuses entirely on international development opportunities to provide readers with the latest information on new funding programs, upcoming grant deadlines, conferences, and general information for grant seekers. For more information see #39 above.

 

USAID UKRAINE APS: GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE IN UKRAINE NEW TO THIS LIST

Funding Opportunity Number: APS-121-07-001

Award Floor: $100,000

Funding Instrument type: Grant; Cooperative Agreement

Closing Date for Application:November 15, 2007

This APS seeks applications that propose alliances to implement development programs in Ukraine in one or several priority sectors as follows: Local Government and Community Development; Local Economic Development, including SME Development; Public/Civic Education; Media Partnerships; Human Capacity Development, Energy Efficiency, including energy efficiency in the industrial sector; Health (especially Healthy Life Style, Maternal and Infant/Child Health, Family Planning/Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS, TB), Agriculture, Welfare of Vulnerable Groups, and Increased Use of Information Technology. USAID is particularly interested in receiving alliance applications with the involvement of the Ukrainian Diaspora

For more information, go to http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=13072&mode=VIEW.

 

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