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Press
Release..............................
UNESCAP News Services
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16 October 2003
Information Note No: N/25/2003
SEAFARERS TARGETED IN NEW HIV/AIDS TRAINING PROGRAMME
Computer Training Programme to Raise Awareness
of HIV/AIDS in Maritime Sector
Bangkok (UN Information Services) -- A new multimedia
computer-based training programme aimed at raising awareness
of HIV/AIDS among seafarers will be launched on 17 October 2003
as part of a regional forum on maritime manpower being held
by UNESCAP at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok.
"Mobilizing A Response To HIV/AIDS In The
Maritime Industry - Be Safe Not Sorry" aims to provide
seafarers with knowledge about HIV/AIDS and help prepare them
to live and work with persons with HIV/AIDS.
The training programme is a joint project of the
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the
Pacific (UNESCAP), the United Nations Development Programme
South East Asia HIV and Development Programme (UNDP-SEAHIV),
UNAIDS South East Asia and Pacific InterCountry Team, and the
Singapore Maritime Academy.
"Merchant seamen make an important contribution
to the global economy. As mobile workers, they encounter unique
challenges to maintaining a healthy, happy and productive life,"
said the leaders of the UN agencies.
The user-friendly programme was developed in consultation
with maritime training institutions and seafarer students, seafarers'
organizations, ship owners and national maritime administrators
in several maritime countries in Asia.
The developers anticipate that several maritime
training institutes will integrate the programme into their
seafarer training curricula. The package, which consists of
a CD-ROM, student course book and instructor's manual, is designed
to allow students to work individually through the programme
on a computer.
The Asia and Pacific region is the source of over
60 per cent of the world's seafarers.
For further information and copies of the training
package, please contact:
Transport and Tourism Division, UNESCAP
Tel: (+662) 288-1371; Fax: (+662) 280-6042, email escap-ttd@un.org
UNDP South East Asia HIV and Development Programme
Tel: (+662) 288-2205; Fax: (+662) 280-1852, email leenah.hsu@undp.org
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