Written by (作者): Michael J. Finck?
Photos by (图片来源): Pinterest, UNNC 宁波诺丁汉大学
Where:?Lord Dearing Building, The University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China (UNNC)
When: Saturday, November 19th,?2017
Sign up: 8:30-9:15 AM
Time: 9:15 AM– 17:30 PM
Registration: Non-UNNC attendees must register via the following email: FHSS_Events@nottingham.edu.cn
?Students can register via Moodle, where they can click on the “Dialogues” page for more info
Registration Deadline: Changed to Tuesday, November 15th
Language: The working language is English. Chinese speakers’ talk will be translated.
?An estimated 78 million people have been infected with HIV/AIDS worldwide, including 35 million currently living with the virus today. In China the total of people living with HIV/AIDS stands at 780,000. While the proportion of new cases resulting from sexual transmission has risen from 33.1% in 2006 to 76.3% in 2011 this shift likely represents the decrease in new cases involving contaminated blood, intravenous drug use, and other sources. While 46.5% of people are living with HIV/AIDS as the result of heterosexual transmission, only 13.7% of infections resulted from homosexual transmission.
Originally labeled a “western disease” and used to denigrate the behaviors of certain populations, the attitudes and understandings of AIDS in China has seen a “sea of change” ?thanks to the work of medical professionals, academics, and NGO’s. In the last 30 years policy has shifted from victim blaming and neglect towards “international norms for treatment, prevention and care.” While previous policy focused on abstinence based sex education and bans on condom advertisements, there has since been a rise in prevention and treatment programs for blood donors and recipients, public education campaigns to reduce stigma regarding HIV AIDS, harm reduction campaigns for intravenous drug users, and the work of the State Council AIDS Working Committee.
Despite advances on the issue of HIV AIDS treatment, prevention, and destigmatization, much work can yet be done. The proportion of new cases among homosexual men continues to grow, and new cases amongst other populations haven’t stopped either. Furthermore, much stigma continues to exist regarding HIV/AIDS in China, including instances of denial of access to hospital care, educational institutions, and employment opportunities.
For these reasons and more, on November 19th 2016 The University of Nottingham, Ningbo, will host a one day Symposium on HIV/AIDS featuring British and Chinese experts, medical professionals and activists discussing for the purpose of research, networking, and general interest. The Symposium hopes to bridge international, academic, professional, and social discourses to increase awareness and research of students, staff, faculty, and the larger community of which we are a part.
We welcome students, staff, faculty, and community members with an interest in learning more about the evolution of HIV AIDS in China and internationally to come be a part of the discussion.
Keynote Morning Speakers:
Sir Nicholas Partridge,?Chair of the Clinical Priorities Advisory Group for NHS England
For over 30 years, Sir Nick has been a high-profile media commentator on HIV prevention, testing and treatment, as well as campaigning for greater public support for people living with HIV and confronting the stigma and discrimination so many still face.
In his speech, Sir Nick will reflect on the extraordinary course of the epidemic so far, draw out some of the lessons learnt, the partnerships that have been crucial to success and identify the key challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Chung To, ?Founder and Chairperson of Chi Heng Foundation(CHF) AIDS Orphans Project, China
Utilizing innovative and pragmatic approaches, Chi Heng has excelled in education and care for children orphaned by AIDS and in HIV prevention among vulnerable groups. He has also raised significant awareness of AIDS in the public through organizing exhibitions, launching media campaigns and giving talks in universities. Named as “Ten Future Leaders of China” by People Magazine and “Ten Model Citizens in China” by Phoenix TV.
In his speech, “Self-Empowerment of AIDS Impacted Youth in China”, Chung To will reflect on how the Foundation works through CHF’s psychosocial support and community self-help programs to reach three main goals:
- to help children grow up unashamed of their parents’ HIV status,
- to support children education
- to help children develop a sense of social responsibility to help others, and then become a change maker in social development.
More speeches will follow after a lunch and will focus on topics such as AIDS and University Students and LGBT+ and AIDS Control. The symposium will conclude at 5:00 PM?with a closing address from Geoff Hall, the Dean of Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at UNNC.