Celebrating the fifth Anniversary of the CCISD — Waly-Diop Award!

Quebec City, 29 March 2005 ---- The Centre de coopération internationale en santé et développement (CCISD) is launching the fifth edition of the CCISD — Waly-Diop Award, a recognition which comes with a CAN$ 5000 grant.

Now open to all projects in which the CCISD is participating, in Africa as well as in Haiti, the Waly-Diop — CCISD Award is intended to encourage communities to take an increasingly active role in efforts aimed at controlling the STI/AIDS pandemic. Created as a special recognition for community organizations having successfully implemented innovative small-scale initiatives in the fight against STIs/AIDS, the purpose of this award is to:

• emphasize the contributions of community groups to the fight against STIs and AIDS;
• give recognition to innovative projects;
• encourage members of community groups to continue their actions.

The Waly-Diop — CCISD Award brochure provides all the necessary information regarding application. The brochure can be downloaded or a copy can be obtained through your country’s AIDS 3 Community Participation Supervisor (RACOM), the person in charge of community mobilization for the PROSA-KIN Project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or the Specific Initiatives Supervisor for the PALIH Project in Haiti. Applications and all completed forms must be submitted by May 5, 2005.

This year, in consistency with the CCISD campaign theme of “Healthy Women, Healthy Africa” and with the central theme chosen by UNAIDS for its latest World AIDS Campaign: “Women, girls, HIV and AIDS”—should there be a tie, the initiatives that have contributed in an innovative way to improving women's health will be given an edge.

Compelled by the devastating speed at which STIs and AIDS are spreading, the CCISD instituted this award back in 2001.  Five organizations have since received the award: