Amy Lenita Hill, MA, Concentric Media, PO Box 1414, Menlo Park, CA 94026, 650-321-6530, amylenita@concentric.org

In Africa, HIV prevention relies upon creative strategies that respect cultural values and acknowledge low literacy levels, while also promoting behavior change and social norm shifts. Long-held taboos against talking about sexuality, combined with government inaction, poverty, and a persistent stigma against HIV/AIDS, present immense barriers for AIDS educators in Ethiopia.

SEEDS of HOPE: Meeting the Challenges of HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia is a series of five documentary films that explore the courageous efforts underway in that country to address HIV/AIDS. The films explore what individuals and organizations are doing to dismantle the fear and shame associated with AIDS; link women’s issues and risk for HIV; promote honest discussion about sex and gender; and care for AIDS orphans.

Concentric Media produced these films in collaboration with Ethiopians involved in HIV/AIDS work. These NGOs have broadcast the series on television and are using each film to raise awareness, increase compassion, and inspire Ethiopians to view AIDS not just as a health issue, but as a human rights issue. Ethiopian community groups living outside the country have screened the films to educate those living in the Diaspora about their risk for HIV/AIDS.

In this workshop, participants will learn about obstacles facing Ethiopians involved in HIV/AIDS prevention; view excerpts from the series (women and AIDS; prevention; reaching men; and orphans); hear how the films have been used as prevention tools in Ethiopia and the U.S.; and discuss how to incorporate the use of film and video in their efforts to mobilize communities against HIV/AIDS.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• List five cultural or systemic barriers to HIV/AIDS prevention in Ethiopia.
• Articulate the utility of using film to address risk for HIV among Ethiopians.
• Develop a plan for incorporating film screenings in their ongoing work to address and prevent HIV/AIDS.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, International Public Health

Related Web page: www.concentricmedia.org/ethiopia

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Concentric Media is a nonprofit documentary film production group, solely responsible for the production of the films described in the project.
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.