UNOPA's National Conference about "HIV/AIDS and working places"
June 15th, 2009
According to the statistics communicated exactly one year ago by the HIV/AIDS Monitoring and Evaluation Department within the National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Prof. Dr. Matei Bals", Bucharest, at the end of June 2008, Romania had a register of 9.628 HIV alive patients. Among these, youngsters that came of age or little beyond represent a significant percentage.
One of the most complex and of present interest is represented by the youngsters' social and professional inclusion. Most of them did not finish school so that would allow them approach a profession that needs qualification and experience; others still face the problem of finding a job once graduating.
This issue - the professional guidance and social inclusion of HIV positive youngsters - represents one of the major concerns of (UNOPA), formed of parents organizations and associations of the people affected by HIV/AIDS.
Therefore, within the project " From vulnerability to empowerment - HIV/AIDS and workplace", granted by Global Fund through Romanian Angel Appeal Foundation (RAA), UNOPA organized on June 12th, 2009, a national Conference focused on the main topic of professional integration of youngsters living with HIV.
This event, hosted by the Gran Hotel Rin Otopeni, gathered representatives of the UNOPA member associations and organizations, representatives of the Ministry of Health, The National Employment Agency (ANOFM), National Agency for People with Disability, IBI Matei Bals, mass media representatives, Romanian Angel Appeal Foundation, as Principal Recipient of the programs financed by Global Fund, 6th Round.
The first part of the Conference's presentations contained an overview of the current national situation on professional and social integration of HIV infected youngsters, present interest information on HIV treatment and monitoring, evolution of the labor market considering the economic crisis, etc.
In the second part of the Conference, there had been debated within the workshops, topics such as labor legislation and the situation of the HIV+ youngsters' professional integration and guidance, difficulties encountered in their integration, future plans.
With the occasion of the UNOPA National Conference it was launched and distributed the Research Report on "Evaluation of the HIV people's situation in Romania in terms of needs and rights ", financed by Global Fund through RAA Foundation.
More details on UNOPA National Conference can be found at www.unopa.ro!
