Description
The project aims to increase awareness and protect the rights of people living with HIV/ AIDS in Greece. The project is essentially a platform for cooperation of the three organizations dealing with HIV/AIDS in Greece (Positive Voice, Centre for Life & PRAKSIS), who are also partners in this project. It involves a systematic monitoring and intervention in the media, communication with state agencies involved in policies relating to HIV, the protection of human rights of both HIV-positive individuals and groups who are at higher risk and training through seminars-workshops of key opinion leaders (journalists and government officials) in order to raise awareness and change their behavior and policy towards the matter.
Summary of project results
The project "HIV in the Public Sphere" confirmed in practice that cooperation and coordinated action between patients' associations and organizations from civil society can produce results on increasing the visibility of vulnerable groups and asserting their rights. The Greek Association of PLHIV "Positive Voice" and the organizations "Praksis" and "Center for Life" created a working group that watched and collected all public reports and statements on HIV/AIDS issues, the social dimension of the disease and the rights of people with HIV in Greece. This group intervened publicly when necessary, to respond to false, inaccurate or stigmatic public statements. As a result, it published more than 40 joint press releases and interviews, which have been published by the media. This joint initiative aimed at increasing the visibility and presence of seropositive people in the public sphere in Greece. Given the stigma they experience, people living with HIV / AIDS often lack the ability to defend their rights and claim positive publicity. The joint initiative succeeded in putting HIV-positive people in the frame of the public debate and ensuring a more active and assertive role for them. Under the project, a total of three seminars for the main opinion makers, such as journalists, politicians and members of local government were organized, the Standing Committee on Social Affairs of the Hellenic Parliament has been exclusively convened for HIV/AIDS issues in Greece and two seminars for students have been held.
Summary of bilateral results