Support centre for all affected by HIV/AIDS

1. Support centre for all affected by HIV/AIDS Friendship and Solidarity

2. “The experience of one moment of dignity is worth just as much as a change that lasts a lifetime.”

3. Who we are? A contact and resource centre for people living with and working in the field of HIV & AIDS.The DIA+LOGS Centre, Riga is a joint endeavour between the Latvia NGOs • AGIHAS (self support group for PLWHAs) and • LCG (Latvian Contact Group on Urban, Industrial and Rural Mission). The Board is comprised of key stakeholders and actors in the HIV/ AIDS field in Latvia.

4. Primary Objective The development and operationof a low-threshold centre for PLWHAs and at-risk groups in greater Riga. _______________________________ Conveying knowledge and experienceabout HIV and AIDS, providing a social environment, one-to-one conversations, group sessionsfor target groups …

5. Primary Objective (cont.) … while empowering PLWHAs and providing advocacy are primary aims. ______________ The psychosocial support and prevention information will be developed in part through twinning between Latvian and Norwegian partners as well as with others in future. ______________ Outreach programs are also under development.

6. GOALS • Create and run the first support and resource centre for PLWHAs and others affected by HIV/AIDS in Latvia providing information, spiritual, psychological and social welfare support. • Create and run an informationand resource centre forpeople interested inand working in theHIV/ AIDS sector. Before renovation, summer 2002

7. KEY CONSTITUENTS • PLWHAs • At-risk youth • Intravenous drug users • Commercial sex workers • Men who have sex with men • Health care community ....... and their families, partners & friends.

8. SUPPORT • Financialsupport has been receivedfrom: • Norwegian Ministry for Health and Social Affairs • Trondheim Church City Mission • Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Police through the Nord-Balt Prison • In-kind support from: • OSCE (Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe) - Office furniture • AKSEPT – centre of all affected by HIV(Oslo Church City Mission) • NGHC (Norwegian Gay Health Committee) • International Department ofDiakonhjemmet College, Oslo • ARMANDS BISENIEKS ARHITEKTI - space plansand co-ordination with municipal building authorities

9. ACTIVITIES TO DATE • DIA+LOGS is registered and a fully recognized NGO in the Republic of Latvia. • Renovation works has been started in leased 107 m2 space in the central Riga and with opening set by December 1st. • A volunteer project manager is participating Before renovation, summer 2002

10. PROJECTS ALREADY INITIATED • Prisoner outreach program at Brasas Prison in Riga and Valmiera prison – counselling and information about HIV/ AIDS to pre-trial youth detainees. • A training programme for prison staff is also under development in co-operation with the Nord-Balt Prison Project.

11. Programmes & Services as planned • Seminars on HIV/ AIDS for drug users, commercial sex workers and other key constituents organised with strategic partners (e.g. AIDS Prevention Centre, Red Cross). Some key topics are: • HIV/ AIDS, STDs, safe sex, life with HIV • Weekly discussion groups about HIV/ AIDS, tolerance • Individual and group psychological counselling, self-help groups • Library of HIV/ AIDS information

12. Programmes & Services as planned (Cont.) • Needle exchange (in partnership with the AIDS Prevention Centre) • Meeting place for Latvian NGOs working in the HIV/ AIDS sector. • Outreach programme to key constituents, providing services on location. Continuation of prison outreach programme. Other programmes to include the AIDS Ward of the Latvian Infectology Centre. • Diaconal programme – open-faith evenings, initiate weekly meals for constituents. • World AIDS Day Ecumenical Service on 1 December, 2002. (Theme: Stigma and discrimination)

13. HIV infections newly diagnosed, per million population, WHO European Region, cases reported in 2001 Estonia – 1067 Russia - 594 Latvia – 347

17. I V D U • Estimated that in Latvia recently there are ~40.000-50.000 drug users, out of them approximately 70% are intravenous drug users • the percentage of the various drug-types used by intravenous drug-users: • Home-made opiates – 16% • Heroin – 80% (70% of them use heroin in combination with other drugs) • Amphetamine derivatives - 52% (mostly in combination) • Other - 76% (cocaine, trancvilisators, barbiturates – 58%) • Most affected – Russian speaking youth below 30 y.o. in largest cities – Riga and nearest urban area, Daugavpils, Ventspils • Harm reduction programmes – needle exchange and methadone

18. COOPERATION • Building up relationships: • Local, regional, worldwide • Formal and informal • Institutional and personal • Building up confidence • Getting know others – getting know ourselves • ICL – Intercultural learning • Bettering life – remaining difficulties – broadened abilities to recognise and overcome

19. COOPERATION all different – all equal • Differences and similarities of neighbours • life experiences, cultural backgrounds • problems and challenges • encouragements, approaches, solutions, results • goals, aims and dreams • It’s all about people... • Learning from each other • Giving and receiving support, encouragement

20. CONTACT INFORMATION For further information please contact: dia_logs_centrs_riga@hotmail.com Ms. Ruta Kaupe – Project Manager (+371 941 28 55)rutins@parks.lv Ms. Jolanta Cihanovicha – Board Chair (+371 925 46 10)psychologist@inbox.lv Mr. Emils R. Stalis – Board Vice-Chair (+371 948 71 37)emils-r.stalis@ikd.lv