FutureConnect Forum on Online Social Networking and AIDS Communication

A close colleague sent me info about a social media event that will be taking place for a series of 6 weeks in the area of public health. I wanted to share this with you all and hope you benefit from this forum. You are welcome to share this info within your university or professional entity.

Aids2031 and the Communication for Social Change Consortium is inviting you to join the Future Connect Forum on Online Social Networking and AIDS Communication. The forum will be hosted on the website of the Communication Initiative from April 26-May 31.

Background:
In 2009, Aids2031 and the Communication for Social Change Consortium published a research looking into how online social networks were developing in Brazil, South Africa, Thailand, India and the UK and the potential opportunities and risks of these platforms for HIV/Aids communicators. The report, Future Connect, outlines global trends, reviews how development organisations are using the platforms to support their work and recommends ways in which Health Communicators could exploit their potential in safe ways. The research found that NGOs and development organisations outside of the wealthier OECD countries are only just beginning to explore how to use these platforms. Following an open meeting to discuss the report on March 2010 in London this discussion aims to address some of the questions which were raised there with a wider audience

The aim of this discussion is to:
1) promote the report as a way to spread ideas on how to maximise their potential in safe ways; 2) identify examples of good practice from different parts of the world;
3) Explore issues of trust: people are turning more to social networks of friends and associates they trust for information, data and help - even medical advice, with huge implications for health professionals; and,
4) Identify good practice in personalised support services offered through online platforms such as Social Networks.

Pete Cranston, Ann Kao and Tim Davies will be facilitating the discussion. To join please register first on the CI site (www.comminit.com). After your membership has been approved, log in and join the group "Future Connect Forum on Online Social Networking and AIDS Communication." The Manager/Administrator of the group will approve your request and you can participate.

Here's the link: http://groups.comminit.com/node/313158

About:

The Future Connect forum is part of the ongoing work of the Communication Working Group of the aids2031 initiative, a collaboration of various individuals and institutions who are looking a the long-term management of AIDS. CfSC leads this group, with the active involvement of 20 development and communication professionals from around the world.

The comments and results will be summarized every few days on the CfSC website and at the end of the conversation on the aids2031 website . We hope that you will participate during the coming weeks. If you have questions about this forum or about aids2031 or the CFSC Consortium, please email Lourdes Caballero of the CFSC Consortium on lcaballero@cfsc.org

¨Knowledge is power, but shared knowledge is even more powerful.¨