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From global imperatives to local realities

September 13th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on From global imperatives to local realities)

The work of community-based organizations in HIV prevention can be linked with the development of democracy

The 19th International AIDS Conference was held in Washington D.C. in July 2012, with a focus on how global and decisive commitment [opens to PDF] is crucial to changing the course of the epidemic. The biennial conference is the premier gathering for people working in the field of HIV, as well as policy makers, persons living with HIV and other individuals committed to ending the pandemic. (more…)

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Criminalization and rights of people with HIV

September 13th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Canada may have gone farther than most countries in harsh treatment of HIV non-disclosure. What will the Supreme Court say?

Under Canadian law, a person living with HIV may be guilty of a crime [opens to PDF] for not disclosing his or her HIV-positive status before engaging in certain activities. Charges have been laid against people living with HIV in numerous cases, particularly cases involving sexual contact.

But a group called the Global Commission on HIV and the Law has taken the position that nondisclosure of HIV status, as well as sex work and possession of drugs for personal use, should all be decriminalized [Download the report in PDF]. (more…)

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War on drugs is implicated in the spread of HIV

September 13th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on War on drugs is implicated in the spread of HIV)

International experts, activists, and health professionals agree that ‘we cannot end AIDS until we end the war on drugs’

The 18th International AIDS Conference, held in Vienna in 2010, included a high-profile statement called The Vienna Declaration. The declaration, which has since been endorsed by over 20,000 groups, organizations, and individuals, rests firmly on the principle that drug policy should be based on science, not on ideology. It states that “the criminalization of illicit drug users is fuelling the HIV epidemic and has resulted in overwhelmingly negative health and social consequences.” (more…)

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Master sax man brings inspiring message

September 6th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Master sax man brings inspiring message)

Juno award-winning master musician and composer Phil Dwyer has battled with addiction and mental illness

Phil Dwyer’s 2012 Juno award for the incredibly ambitious Changing Seasons is the latest in a “resume full of examples of his genuinely adventurous creative spirit,” says the Juno website. Changing Seasons was awarded “Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year.”

The Changing Seasons suite marks a new stage in Phil Dwyer‘s development as an artist, writes Nou Dadoun at VancouverJazz.com.  The theme running through the composition is change, described by Phil as:  “Changing weather, changing climatic conditions, the changing economic structure of the world and some big changes in my own life.  It’s a call to acknowledge the fact of all these changes taking place and a query as to what are we going to do about it.” (more…)

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Master sax man brings inspiring message

September 6th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Master sax man brings inspiring message)

Juno award-winning master musician and composer Phil Dwyer has battled with addiction and mental illness

Phil Dwyer’s 2012 Juno award for the incredibly ambitious Changing Seasons is the latest in a “resume full of examples of his genuinely adventurous creative spirit,” says the Juno website. Changing Seasons was awarded “Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year.”

The Changing Seasons suite marks a new stage in Phil Dwyer‘s development as an artist, writes Nou Dadoun at VancouverJazz.com.  The theme running through the composition is change, described by Phil as:  “Changing weather, changing climatic conditions, the changing economic structure of the world and some big changes in my own life.  It’s a call to acknowledge the fact of all these changes taking place and a query as to what are we going to do about it.” (more…)

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Nanaimo shelter changes raise concerns

September 6th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Nanaimo shelter changes raise concerns)

Homeless shelter was overwhelmed by demand last winter, so now it will only be open during extreme weather conditions

The First Unitarian Fellowship of Nanaimo has decided to scale back its shelter operations this year, after being overwhelmed by demand last year. The organization’s extreme weather shelter for homeless people had been made available every night between November 1st and April 1st last winter, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. But despite increased funding for the increased availability, volunteers were taxed beyond their limit, with up to 25 homeless people seeking shelter at the 24-bed facility each night. (more…)

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