(introduction...)

Issue Paper 29
HIV and Development Programme
UNDP, New York
1998

By Desmond Cohen

Printed May 1998

PREFACE

The HIV epidemic is a new, complex phenomenon in the world today. It is challenging accepted ways of understanding health and human development, and is demanding new forms of expertise and a more integrated and collaborative development practice. It is raising significant conceptual, ethical and programmatic issues.

The aim of this series of papers is to raise new or neglected issues and to articulate the questions many of these issues raise about accepted ways of doing things. The issues included have been identified by the HIV and Development Programme of the United Nations Development Programme, its partners and other concerned people. The views expressed in the papers are those of the authors and may not necessarily reflect those of the United Nations Development Programme.

The publications policy of the HIV and Development Programme is to keep papers brief, simply written and limited to issues not addressed, or not addressed from the same perspective, elsewhere. Authors are asked not to outline solutions but rather to stimulate the processes of reflection and discussion essential for change to arise within the readers' own contexts. Publications include issues and working papers, research studies, posters, statements of principles, training materials and books. Publications are made available in a number of languages.

The HIV and Development Programme welcomes the papers being reproduced in whole or in part by any person wishing to understand and explore these issues further. We would be grateful for acknowledgement, comments and feedback. We are also interested in suggestions for further papers and other publications and in receiving copies of the papers which have been translated into other languages.

There is a sense of urgency associated with this epidemic which is often not felt in the other areas of development. There is a need to find effective, sustainable and compassionate ways of responding. We hope the publications contribute to this quest.

Mina Mauerstein-Bail
Manager
HIV and Development Programme