26 May 2005: Statement: Launch of the ISS Project on HIV/Aids in the Armed Forces of Southern Africa

ISS PROJECT ON HIV/AIDS IN THE ARMED FORCES OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

 

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) through the Defence Sector Programme (DSP) announces the launch of a new project on HIV/AIDS in the Armed Forces of Southern Africa. The project will run from 1 June 2005 to 31 March 2006 and is funded by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF). The project will be launched at a research methodology conference scheduled to be held at the Institute on 14 and 15 June 2005.

 

The aim of the project is to:

  • Provide a deeper understanding of how Southern African regional Armed Forces have responded to the pandemic through researching and documenting the different national responses. The aim is to provide such case studies as an example to those countries still grappling with the formulation of public policy that is appropriate for the management of the pandemic.

  • Create a body of researchers with special interests and skills, working in the area of HIV/AIDS in the Armed Forces within Southern Africa.

The research project will begin with a methodology conference during which researchers will, together, develop a common approach and research methodology before going out to work on different case studies. The object is to facilitate a professional group around which the debate on HIV/AIDS in the region’s Armed Forces can be further developed. The process will rely upon documenting shared experiences and policies crafted to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the region.

 

The focus of the research is not epidemiological but concerned with contextual evidence that feeds into policy formulation. As a result, the research will be aimed at:

  • Isolating elements of policy and legislation that relates to HIV/AIDS and the Armed Forces that is contained in existing national HIV/AIDS policy documents and programmes.

  • Documenting and evaluating the related institutional HIV/AIDS policies regarding recruitment, training, personnel advancement, utilisation and deployment, counselling, treatment, medical retirement and post-retirement care.

  • Reflecting on the influence of particular or unique features, ranging from culture, religious belief, ethnicity and other idiosyncrasies, on sexual practice as well as on ways of handling HIV/AIDS related matters.

Direct invitations will be issued to institutions and individuals to participate in the conference and project, although unsolicited advances will also be entertained.

 

For enquiries and more information, please contact:

 

Dr Martin R. Rupiya

Coordinator, HIV/AIDS in the Armed Forces (RBF) Project

Institute for Security Studies

PO Box 1787

Brooklyn Square 0075

Pretoria ,

South Africa

 

Tel: +27(12) 346 9517

Fax: +27(12) 346 4569

Cell: +27(82) 6548718

E-mail: [email protected]

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