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The GNU operating system

FREE SOFTWARE FOUNDATION
December 2005

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GNU Project has been developing a number of high quality free software programs, and they are distributed under OSI-approved license called GNU General Public License (GPL), which is the most widely used license for free / open source software. This webpage provides basic information on GNU, including the history and philosophy

networklearning.org

NETWORK LEARNING
December 2005

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This website aims to make high quality manuals, field books and training courses easily available to groups who need them (free of cost to those in the South but with a contribution of $25 requested from those in the North); to encourage colleagues to be open to new knowledge and skills, to plan and stick to self-guided learning; to introduce topics which may be new to some people an to link users to resources, useful organisations, websites and materials; and to provide a place for users working in different countries in the South to stay informed. The resources are available online and cover a variety of topics in a clear, easy to understand format. It provides a number of guidelines including guidelines for writing reports [http://www.networklearning.org/writing-reports.html] and a simple guide to the web [http://www.networklearning.org/web.html]

Orphans and other vulnerable children support toolkit

INTERNATIONAL HIV/AIDS ALLIANCE
FAMILY HEALTH INTERNATIONAL
December 2005

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This is a collection of information, tools and guidance on supporting orphans and other vulnerable children living in a world with HIV/AIDS. It covers a wide range of subject areas, including running a programme, health and nutrition, education, psychosocial support, economic strengthening, living environments and children's rights. It contains a wide range of useful resources on the different topic areas. It also contains a section on early childhood development

Q&A : the pharmaceutical industry and access to ARVs in Africa

HEALTH ACTION INTERNATIONAL AFRICA
December 2005

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To mark World AIDS Day 2005, HAI Africa has prepared a simple, concise fact sheet on the pharmaceutical industry's role in access to HIV/AIDS treatment. The document, written in a question-and-answer format, addresses the impact of generic competition, compulsory licences and what the industry can do to increase access. It asks questions such as 'Are pharmaceutical companies involved in initiatives to increase access to ARVs?' and 'Do patents on medicines have an impact on access to ARVs?'

A wall in its midst : the separation barrier and its impact on the right to health and on Palestinian hospitals in East Jerusalem

HABIB, Ibrahim
December 2005

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The construction of a separation barrier between Israel and the West Bank is having devastating effects on the social and economic life of Palestinians. This report attempts to assess its impact on health care delivery in East Jerusalem and on Palestinian hospitals. The policy of closure entails that a large section of Palestinian population with Israeli residency is denied access to health care services, while people living in the Occupied Territories can no longer benefit from Jerusalem hospitals, even when they can provide care unavailable elsewhere. The report advocates for supporting East Jerusalem hospitals, ensuring high medical standards and solid financial backing. Effective political lobbying should ensure that close ties with the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are maintained

Protecting and assisting older people in emergencies

WELLS, Jo
December 2005

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The rapid increase in the older population worldwide poses new challenges, particularly in resource poor countries and in emergency settings. Older people are particularly vulnerable to the effects of natural disaster or conflict and less able to adapt to sudden disruptions in their lives. They can also make crucial contributions to their communities, caring for orphans, providing inter-generational support, helping resolve conflicts, offering their knowledge on alternative and traditional healing practices. This document looks in some detail at both the needs and strengths of the elderly in emergencies and calls for greater promotion of the rights of older people, their inclusion in all stages of humanitarian interventions, mainstreaming and allocation of adequate resources for older people's protection

Disability, inclusion and development : key information resources

SOURCE INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION SUPPORT CENTRE
December 2005

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This directory of information resources pulls together over 300 of the most practical and useful books, reports, videos, CD-ROMs and websites on disability. It is aimed at organisations working with disabled people in developing countries. Organised thematically, It covers a wide range of issues including human rights, gender, poverty and mainstreaming, as well as planning and management of disability programmes and service delivery relating to children, community-based rehabilitation, mental health and HIV and AIDS. The directory provides a quick reference listing of information resources with clear abstracts and details of distributors and websites, while the CD-ROM contains many published and un-published full-text documents, as well as links to websites for those who can access the Internet. The index of publishers and distributors will be especially useful to resource centres and information services which collect and manage information on disability and development

Getting the message across : the mass media and the response to AIDS

JOINT UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
December 2005

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The mass media have the potential to provide a platform for discussion, communication and education on HIV and AIDS, giving a voice to people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA), challenging stigma and discrimination, lobbying policy makers and building partnerships and capacity through sharing and transferring skills and expertise. However, mass media can also disseminate misleading messages, while HIV/AIDS communication competes with other topics for broadcasting time and audiences. This report presents three case studies of effective and creative use of the media in South Africa: Soul City and Soul Buddyz adopt an 'edutainment' approach, aiming both to educate and entertain; the Community Health Media Trust produces a series of programmes addressing issues concerning people with HIV/AIDS; Takalani makes television and radio programmes, to encourage small children to develop self-esteem, offer positive models and destigmatise PLWHA. Detailing the lessons learned from these experiences, the report looks at how target audiences are chosen, how partnerships are formed, how topics and ideas are developed and what ethical issues arise

Poverty, equity and health research : a report on Forum 9

STEARNS, Beverly Peterson
December 2005

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This is a report on Forum 9, highlighting the key themes emerged during the discussions. Forum 9 focused on poverty, equity and health research, and their affect on access to health services, particularly in low-income countries. The report looks at the vicious cycle of poverty and ill-health, gender disparities, sexual and reproductive health, innovation and human intellectual capital, policies, priorities and resources

The potential impact of community-based distribution programmes on contraceptive uptake in resource-poor settings : evidence from Ethiopia

TAWYE, Yenehun
et al
December 2005

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This article assesses the impact of community-based reproductive health services (CBRHS) and programmes on contraceptive use in Ethiopia. The 1993 National Population Policy provided a strong political backing to community-based contraceptive programmes, which grew in number and outreach to the community. The article shows that 'women living in areas covered by the CBRHS programme were three times more likely to use contraception than the average Ethiopian woman'. The study concludes that scaling up the programme nationwide would have the effect of doubling the national contraceptive prevalence rate

Education : a right for all children [whole issue]

December 2005

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This issue focuses on inclusive education, and the right of every child to access education. It emphasises that accessibility needs to be improved, with changes to the physical environment but equally to the curriculum and teaching methodologies. It stresses, however, that process of inclusion and mainstreaming are not just a matter for the professionals. There is a need to raise awareness within the local community, and change deep-seated attitudes and preconceived ideas by sharing successful stories

Ageing and emergencies [whole issue]

December 2005

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Older people are often among those who suffer most the devastating impact of emergencies. They have also the potential to make vital contributions, such as looking after orphans and vulnerable children. This issue suggests ways and tools aimed at: addressing the invisibility of older people; improving their access to relief; finding out who needs most help; and using older people's knowledge and skills to support relief efforts and help the peace-building process in post-conflict settings. Includes a list of key resources around ageing and emergencies

Classroom to community and back : using culturally responsive, standards-based teaching to strengthen family and community partnerships and increase student achievement

SAIFER, Steffen
et al
December 2005

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Classroom to Community and Back describes how educators can use the knowledge and culture students bring to school in a standards-based curriculum that supports student success. This approach is called culturally responsive, standards-based (CRSB) teaching. It draws on the experiences, understandings, views, concepts, and ways of knowing of the students sitting in the classroom. Through foundational research and snapshots of real-life classroom practices the publication shows teachers and school leaders how CRSB engages all students in learning; builds relationships between the classroom and the outside world; and creates opportunities for families and community members to support student success in and out of school

Children without parental care : qualitative alternatives [whole issue]

December 2005

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A growing number of children around the world are currently orphaned or otherwise growing up without parents, due to conflicts, natural disasters and HIV and AIDS. This issue of Early Childhood Matters takes a look at the current state of international thinking on the issue of children without parental care. It highlights the need for international guidelines that guarantee the appropriateness of the environment in which children grow up

Children and adults with disabilities

Swedish Agency for International Development Cooperation (SIDA)
Ed
December 2005

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This position paper concerns the processes for mainstreaming disability in development cooperation. Specifically, it is concerned with the ways in which SIDA can ensure that disabled people are active participants in development work and decision-making processes. The paper includes strategic areas for including persons with disabilities in SIDA's policies and programmes (on education, HIV and AIDS, poverty reduction, etc) along with a range of useful resources on global disability rights and websites on disability issues. This paper would be useful to anyone with an interest in mainstreaming disability in development cooperation, and in particular, to policy-makers, NGOs, and disabled people's organisations

The concept of reasonable accommodation in selected national disability legislation

DEPARTMENT FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS (DESA), UNITED NATIONS
December 2005

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This paper describes how national legislation in selected countries has managed to incorporate the concept of reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. It utilises case studies from the following selected countries: Australia, Canada, European Union, Ireland, Israel, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States and Zimbabwe

Programming for HIV prevention in South African schools : a report on program implementation

REDDY, Priscilla
SHEGS, James
MCCAULEY, Ann
December 2005

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This is an evaluation study conducted in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. It provides insights into whether learners who participated in a fact-based, interactive course had more knowledge about HIV risks, prevention, and care practices; more positive attitudes toward prevention practices and people living with HIV and AIDS; and a higher prevalence of reported safe behaviours, than comparable learners who did not participate in the course

DFID and the private sector : working with the private sector to eliminate poverty

DEPARTMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (DFID)
December 2005

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Strong economic growth is key to the elimination of poverty. DFID considers that it has a clear priority in helping developing countries create the conditions which can nurture and sustain economic growth - and the development of the private sector is central to this because it is a major provider of essential services to poor people in developing countries

Jobs not charity : promoting disabled people's access to the labour market and the role of organisations of disabled people

GOODLEY, Dan
December 2005

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The aims of this project report are to examine the contemporary position of disabled people in the labour market in Britain, to explore the work experiences of a number of disabled people and the impact of policy and practice on their life stories of work and to identify and disseminate the good practices of organisations such as Breakthrough UK Ltd and GMCDP in relation to promoting the work opportunities of disabled people. The report is based on a research project that brought together Breakthrough UK Ltd (BUK Ltd), the Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People (GMCDP), researchers from the Centre of Applied Disability Studies at the University of Sheffield and the financial support of the European Social Fund. This project started in March 2004 and finished in December 2005. Versions of this report are available in Braille, Easy Word, Large Print and Audio by contacting the publisher

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