African Journal of AIDS Research (AJAR: ISSN 1608-5906) is a newly founded journal that publishes papers, which make an original contribution to understanding of the social dimensions of HIV/AIDS in African contexts. AJAR should be of interest to researchers in sociology, demography, epidemiology, psychology, anthropology, media, cultural studies, nursing, health promotion, social work, and economics. Papers on social theory and the politics of HIV/AIDS will also be considered for publication. AJAR will include research and review articles of 5 000 to 10 000 words. Space will also be reserved in each edition for concise (max. 2 000 word) articles, which are submitted
for rapid publication.

You may have read that in British Prime Minister's Tony Blair's second term of office in Downing Street, he wants to make Africa a personal priority. My colleague Lesley Abdela and I are therefore producing a short research paper for a United Kingdom Department of State in which we will put forward as many practical suggestions as possible on what could be done to - help reduce conflict in Africa; promote more equitable and sustainable development throughout the Continent. Both elements can benefit from fresh ('blue water') thinking and would significantly include the role of women in both conflict prevention/post-conflict reconstruction and in economic development. We have been asked to submit these new, fresh ideas quickly, and would therefore appreciate your views as soon as possible, and those of others you might forward this request to. Lesley Abdela and I will look forward to hearing from you/them. – Tim Symonds

The government of Morocco has seized the 6 September 2001 issue of the Spanish newspaper "El Mundo," after the daily printed statements by the Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister Josep Pique insinuating that the Moroccan police had ties to the (immigration) mafia, according to Reporters sans frontières (RSF). Sources told RSF that all 200 copies of the issue were confiscated at the Casablanca Airport. "Every time a foreign newspaper writes an article that displeases the Moroccan government, it gets banned," comments RSF.

Discussions on migrants' rights in relation to racist, discriminative or xenophobic practices against them coming to good terms. A special spokeswoman on migrants' rights at the World Conference Against Racism assessed the substantial progress made in the realm of migrant rights before the migrant caucus, where representatives from organisations from all around the world were present.

Migrants from countries neighboring South Africa are being blamed for the slow improvement in the standard of living of Blacks since apartheid ended in 1994. Migrants have been harassed and attacked by South Africans, and police often do not intervene. Reports indicate that other African countries are taking steps to tighten migration controls.

The Oak Institute for the Study of International Human Rights at Colby College, Maine, USA, is now soliciting nominations from human rights practitioners in the field of refugees and displaced populations in Africa or Asia for the 2002 Oak Human Rights Fellowship.

This World Bank report shows a strong correlation between socioeconomic status and malnutrition. Levels of malnutrition decrease as socioeconomic levels increase and vice versa. About 27% of children under five in developing countries are malnourished. Available as PDF file [37p.].

In a follow-up to the 1990 World Summit on Children, this UN meeting will assess the progress regarding the advancement of children's rights and devise a new plan for addressing children's health and safety issues. HWR is advocating for the full protection of children's rights and calling for the US to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Save the Children projects in Malawi and Mali have sought to increase school enrollment through the creation of village-based schools and curricula that foster gender quality. In Malawi school enrollment among girls is increasing, as is primary school enrollment in general in Mali.

As a new school year begins, parents face the high costs of school fees and books, as well as a generally poor economy. The financial burden of education is having a detrimental effect on the percentage of students who are able to matriculate at university.

Despite serious problems and disputes which have marred the event, the World Conference Against Racism has achieved some important successes, Amnesty International said on the last day of the Conference. For the first time, the plight of groups such as Dalits, Roma, Tibetans, indigenous people, those who face multiple forms of discrimination, such as refugees, women or gays and lesbians, and those living under occupation, has been put forcefully on the world agenda.

At a press conference in Durban, South Africa, today Amnesty International's Secretary General Irene Khan said the focus of the WCAR must be about human rights – the right of all persons to be treated equally without any racial or other bias or discrimination.

Ahead of the UN Special Session on Children in New York later this month, UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy spoke to IRIN on the establishment of a new agenda for children's rights, and her expectations for the 19-21 September conference.

An analysis of documents prepared for the upcoming United Nations World Conference Against Racism has world media organizations expressing concern about potential threats to press freedom.

IBSA seeks young adults ages 14 to 25 to work as area representatives for our outreach efforts. The 'Community of One' Program allows certain African NGO's the opportunity to use our programs as fundraisers. By providing an established process to raise additional funds to other organizations, IBSA has been able to help other upcoming organizations access funds for their operational expenses. This youth-led operation, is built around the existing businesses in an area and combines youth entrepreneurship and trans-national business support into a singular program that creates income generation and develops long-term community support.

Sector Search is a tool for performing effective philanthropy research online. Search the Web sites of the nonprofit sector including private foundations, corporate grantmakers, grantmaking public charities, community foundations, nonprofit organizations, and government resources using either a basic or advanced search mode.

Volunteer Services Abroad (VSA) is currently looking for an experienced
administrator to join our office in Hatfield, Pretoria