Event Notification

2009 World HIV/AIDS DAY

Theme
“HIV/AIDS AND THE CONGOLESE COMMUNITY IN SOUTH AFRICA: OUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. LET’S TALK ABOUT IT.”

Host                : CONGO RENAISSANCE AND THE FORUM OF CONGOLESE ORGANSIATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA (FOCAS)

Venue             : The Bible Centre (Yeoville: 7, cnr Cavendish & Natal streets)

Partnership  : Open Society Initiative of Southern Africa (OSISA)

Date               :  December 05, 2009 from 9 am to 1 pm

Purpose

Since 1988, December 01 has been celebrated as the World’s HIV/AIDS day. Throughout the world, this day serve to achieve fundraising, increasing HIV/AIDS awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education about Aids. For 2009, the UNAIDS has set the day on the overall theme of 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. 

According to the UNAIDS, there are now 33.4 million people living with HIV, including 2.1 million children. Africa is the place where the impact of the virus has been the most severe. In South Africa 18.1% of the population is infected with HIV. This is the highest record in the world.
In view of this reality, Congo Renaissance is tackling the issue within the Congolese community leaving in South Africa. Congo Renaissance is of the view that healthier Congolese are needed for the development and renaissance of the DR Congo and Africa. In that regards, the HIV/Aids pandemic poses a serious threat that needs to be properly addressed.
Through the HIV/AIDS day, Congo Renaissance aims at reaching out a significant portion of the Congolese community living in the Johannesburg inner city on issues pertaining to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The activity targets those sexually active and many others aged between 16 and 40. The activity intends to hold a one day event in Yeoville within the Johannesburg inner city where a significant number of Congolese immigrants are believed to be living and where sexual activity is said to be high due to the promiscuity.

Based on the proceedings of this one day event, Congo Renaissance will build on an advocacy case for our policy forum, the Congo Policy Forum (CPF). The main objective of the CPF is to provide a platform that brings together representatives of different classes into interactive talks around a topic for which Congo Renaissance seeks to involve the Congolese people into the decision making process in a way that significantly affect the lives of Congolese.

Through this one day event, Congo Renaissance hopes to achieve the followings:

1. Create a forum for discussion around the HIV/AIDS issue, mainly people’s perceptions;
2. Change the negative stigma and attitude about HIV/Aids
3. Improve knowledge, understanding and awareness of HIV/Aids among Congolese immigrants in Johannesburg inner city;
4. Promote information on the access to ARV Treatment and healthcare services administered by the city of Johannesburg, NGOs, and other service providers involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS;
5. Involve and mobilize the entire Congolese community among immigrants and other stakeholders on effective means and methods of HIV prevention; as a crucial part of the overall fight against HIV/aids;
6. Advocate for effective compliance by all authorities and healthcare officers with the South African legislation and policies when dealing with migrants infected or affected by HIV/Aids in South Africa.

 ‘LET’S ALL COME AND TALK ABOUT HIV/AIDS’