HIV and AIDS: engaging with culture

Development communication programmes addressing HIV and AIDS need to pay more attention to the role of culture, Exchange believes.

The benefits of working creatively with local cultures and communication methods have been highlighted in some HIV and AIDS communication work, but better understanding and implementation of cultural approaches will strengthen programmes tackling HIV and AIDS.

With the importance of culture in mind, Exchange is working with Creative Exchange, an international network of practitioners and agencies in the field of culture and development, and UNESCO, the UN Education, Science and Cultural Organization, on developing a holistic cultural approach to HIV and AIDS communication.

Helen Gould from Creative Exchange introduced new research on culture and development at the Exchange lunchtime discussion on 29 July 2004. The research has found that culture operates at three different levels in development: as a context in which development takes place, as a rich source of locally appropriate content for communication porgrammes, and as a method of building dialogue, enabling expression and promoting participation by beneficiaries.

Links

• Creative Exchange
• UNESCO