African Broadcast Media Partnership Against HIV/AIDS (ABMP)

The Second Annual Executive Summit of the African Broadcast Media Partnership (ABMP) took place in Maputo on September 20, 2006. Executives representing 41 companies across 25 countries participated in a review of the ABMP’s progress.

Steering Committee Chair, Solly Mokoetle, in his annual report identified the main highlights as:

• Translation of the original Old Fort Declaration into five key objectives with measurable indicators
• Completion of the first survey of signatory companies’ progress toward achieving the objectives of the ABMP
• Development of a pan-African HIV/AIDS-related communications strategy
• And development of the first core content as part of a multi-year campaign to be launched on World AIDS Day

Signatory Companies Make Good on their Commitment

Speaking at a media briefing following the Summit, Mr. Mokoetle said that 42% of signatory companies had already surpassed the 5% (approximately one hour) daily airtime commitment for HIV/AIDS programming set by the ABMP and that 96% of companies said they planned to further increase their airtime commitment in the next year. 67% of signatory companies reported committing resources other than airtime (such a funds and personnel) in support of increased HIV/AIDS-related programming. Read summary here.

First- ever Multi-year Pan-African HIV/AIDS Broadcast Campaign Launched

Mr. Mokoetle also unveiled plans for the first-ever multi-year pan-African HIV/AIDS broadcast public education campaign as part of a broader five year effort to substantially increase the amount of HIV/AIDS-related programming by African broadcasters. “The impact of the ad hoc approach to HIV communication we have all pursued in the past has reached it limits,” Solly Mokoelte said. “To be able to re-engage with audiences for whom the AIDS-issue has become just another part of life, we are encouraging young people to take charge of their futures, and for the first time we are promoting a consistent framework built around key HIV-prevention goals to guide HIV-related programming in Africa.”

For Summit programme click here.

Preventing HIV/AIDS in young people
A systematic review of the evidence from developing countries

Young people are particularly vulnerable to HIV: 15–24 year olds account for 50% of new cases. Five to six thousand youths become infected every day, most of them in developing countries. The UN General Assembly Special Session on AIDS in June 2001 set a number of goals to drive efforts to reduce prevalence in this age group.

A new report from the World Health Organization provides evidence-based recommendations for policy-makers, programme managers and researchers to guide efforts towards meeting the UN goals on HIV/AIDS and young people. These goals aim to decrease prevalence and vulnerability; and to increase access to information, skills and services.

This report provides a systematic review of the effectiveness of interventions provided: through schools, health services, mass media, communities, and to young people who are most vulnerable to HIV infection.
The report classifies these interventions into three categories:

• Steady (don’t implement yet, needs more work and evaluation)
• Ready (implement widely, but evaluate carefully)
• Go (implement on a large scale while monitoring coverage and quality).

To view the complete report click here.