September 8, 2006, Tokyo － Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) held a seminar today on HIV/AIDS and disability in Africa, connecting Tokyo and Washington D.C. via videoconference. Speakers from the World Bank briefed the Bank’s efforts against HIV/AIDS in Africa and progress of “Global Partnership on Disability and Development (GPDD).” HIV/AIDS and Disability seminar connecting JICA-NET and World Bank's GDLN 
At the beginning of the seminar, Elizabeth Lule, the Bank’s Sector Manager for ACTafrica, an anti-AIDS campaign for Africa, made a keynote speech. According to Lule, 60 million people with disability live in Africa, where they are vulnerable to HIV infection due to sex crimes and insufficient legal protection and education. In the Region, provision of information on HIV are inadequate, too, she pointed out. Lule also shared activities of the Bank’s Multi-Country HIV/AIDS Program (MAP), which supports efforts by governments and civil society groups in Africa to fight HIV/AIDS. Then, Judith Heumann, the Bank’s Lead Consultant for GPDD made a keynote speech, outlining GPDD’s objective to promote information sharing and policy dialogue for disability and development among governments, multilateral institutions, civil society groups, those with disability and other stakeholders. Ms. Heumann also referred to the Bank’s 2004 report “HIV/AIDS and Disability: Capturing Hidden Voices” and emphasized the importance of building and sharing experiences and information in the sector. Among the participants were those attending the JICA training course, which is sponsored by Japan National Assembly of Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) for leaders of disability groups from Sub-Sahara Africa. Representing the group, trainees from Malawi, Lesotho, Zambia, and Zimbabwe gave a presentation on progress and challenges for HIV/AIDS and disability. The Bank’s support to Africa The Bank’s efforts on Disability and Development HIV/AIDS and Disability: Capturing Hidden Voices） Japan International Cooperation Agency
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