A network for researchers working with Caribbean children and HIV/AIDS

The Caribbean Child Development Centre (CCDC) convened a workshop with researchers in the area of Children and HIV/AIDS in Jamaica on December 8, 2004. This workshop was sponsored by the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean and held so as to encourage researchers to share their findings across disciplines, prevent duplication of efforts and encourage collaboration in identifying and targeting areas most needed for research. Researchers from the field of pediatrics, nutrition, mental health, epidemiology, social geography, community health, education and fertility management were among those participants in attendance at the workshop. Participants strongly supported the formalization of a network to encourage dialogue and collaboration among researchers working in the area of Children and HIV/AIDS in Jamaica and for expansion of the network to other Caribbean countries. The CCDC indicated willingness to seek funding to carry out this role.