Synergy Online –November 27, 2003

 

In this issue:

- CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: 2003-2004 YOUNG RESEARCHER GRANTS

- THE PATENT ACT AND GENERIC MEDICINES FOR THE DEVELOPING WORLD

- HIV/AIDS DEATHS AND NEW INFECTIONS HIGHEST IN 2003, SAYS UNAIDS

- 14 MILLION CHILDREN ORPHANED BY AIDS WORLDWIDE 

- HIV-POSITIVE MUPPET APPOINTED AS CHAMPION FOR CHILDREN

-JOIN THE CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH REGISTRY!

 

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CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: 2003-2004 YOUNG RESEARCHER GRANTS

 

The Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research aims to promote the
generation, dissemination and use of knowledge for enhancing health
system performance. One of its strategic objectives is to facilitate the
development of capacity for the generation, dissemination and use of
knowledge among researchers, policy makers and other stakeholders.

 

The Alliance is calling for applications for grants to strengthen the
capacity of Masters or PhD teaching programs involved in the field of
HPSR in developing countries. A total of up to US$25,000 will be
provided for a period of one year, renewable on the basis of results.

 

Deadline: 16 January 2004. For more information on this program, please
see the Alliance web site: www.alliance-hpsr.org  (NEWS Section) or send
a request for an application kit to the Manager, [log in to unmask] 

 

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THE PATENT ACT AND GENERIC MEDICINES FOR THE DEVELOPING WORLD

The North-South Institute recently organized a public lecture on “The
Patent Act and Generic Medicines for the Developing World: Whither
Canada's Initiative for Global Health,” presented by Professor Frederick
Abbott, world renowned legal scholar and expert on intellectual
property, international law and public health. The presentation took
place on Parliament Hill and was attended by Members of Parliament,
government policy-makers, and representatives of the NGO community.

The federal government had announced it would amend the Patent Act to
introduce compulsory licensing to manufacture generic versions of
patented pharmaceutical products for export to developing countries, in
accordance with a recent decision of the World Trade Organization.
Canada is the first country moving to implement the WTO decision. 

For a summary of this public event as well as Professor Abbott’s
Powerpoint presentation see:
http://www.nsi-ins.ca/ensi/events/abbott_summary.html 

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HIV/AIDS DEATHS AND NEW INFECTIONS HIGHEST IN 2003, SAYS UNAIDS

In 2003 the HIV/AIDS pandemic took the highest number of lives and
produced the highest number of new infections since surveillance of the
disease started, according to a new global report from the Joint United
Nations Program on AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization
(WHO). For the full report, visit: http://www.un.org/News/

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14 MILLION CHILDREN ORPHANED BY AIDS WORLDWIDE 

The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) says there are 14 million
children orphaned by AIDS worldwide, most of whom are between the ages
of 10 and 15. Speaking during the launch of the Africa's Orphaned
Generations Report in Johannesburg today, Unicef Executive Director
Carol Bellamy said 11 million of these orphans were in sub-Saharan
Africa. For the full report, visit:
http://allafrica.com/stories/200311260407.html

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HIV-POSITIVE MUPPET APPOINTED AS CHAMPION FOR CHILDREN

UNICEF has formally appointed Kami, the HIV-positive Muppet who appears
regularly on the South African co-production of Sesame Street called
Takalani Sesame, as a global “Champion for Children.” Kami’s first
appearance with UNICEF under this new collaboration was in Geneva on
November 26, when she helped launch an important new UNICEF report,
Africa’s Orphaned Generations, which details the impact of HIV/AIDS on
children in Africa.

Sesame Workshop is the non-profit educational organization behind Sesame
Street, and the world’s largest informal educator of preschool children.
Its flagship program, Sesame Street is broadcast in over 120 countries
around the world.  

“The appeal of the partnership is that through characters like Kami, we
can highlight areas where children are particularly vulnerable – from
illiteracy to disability and abuse - in ways that are gentle, honest and
compassionate,” UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy said.

For more information, visit http://www.unicef.org/media/media_16631.html

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JOIN THE CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH REGISTRY!

 

Join the Canadian Society for International Health's on-line Canadian
International Health Registry! Professionals seeking employment and
volunteer opportunities in health and development can let CSIH's
contacts work for them.  At the request of potential employers
(organizations, institutions and private firms), CSIH carries out a
search of the directory for an expert with specific knowledge or skills.
Let us help you connect! http://209.87.224.165/csih-reg/eReg1.asp 

 

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