In recent years, Europe and Central Asia has experienced the world's fastest growing HIV/AIDS epidemic. Yet, in the Western Balkan countries the HIV prevalence rate is under 0.1 percent, which ranks among the lowest. This may be due to a low level of infection among the population--or partly due to inadequate surveillance systems. All major contributing factors for the breakout of an HIV/AIDS epidemic are present in the Western Balkans. HIV/AIDS disproportionably affects youth (80 percent of HIV-infected people are 30 years old or younger). Most of the Western Balkan countries have very young p.

Published by the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor, a consortium made up of 31 public and private agencies that provide financial services for the poor in developing countries, this volume describes the past 10 years of their work in microfinance. Helms explains the group's clients and their needs, such as loans and savings accounts; financial service providers at the micro, meso, and macro levels; the role of the government; and international and domestic funding sources. The last chapter discusses key issues in technology, leveraging remittances, reaching farmers and rural clients, measuring social performance, and protecting poor consumers. Annotation :2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).

Tells the story of HIV/AIDS in Europe from a broad variety of perspectives: bio-medical, social, cultural, economic and political. The authors are leading experts from across the region and include both the infected and the affected, be they doctors or former drug users, United Nations employees or gay men, public health researchers or community activits. They describe how, from the first documented cases in 1981 to the present era of antiretroviral management, controlling the human inmmunodeficiency virus in Europe has provided elusive.

Throughout history, communicable diseases have devastated armies and weakened the capacity of state institutions to perform core security functions. Today, the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa has prompted many of the affected countries to initiate policies aimed at addressing its impact on their armed forces, police, and prisons. This volume explores the dynamics of how the security sectors of selected African states have responded to the complex and multifaceted challenges of HIV/AIDS. Current and impending African HIV/AIDS policies address a range of security-related issues: * The role of peacekeepers in the spread or control of HIV * The dilemma of public health (the need to control HIV) versus human rights (protection against mandatory medical testing) needs * The gender dimensions of HIV in the armed forces * The impact of HIV on the police and prisons The chapters in HIV/AIDS and the Security Sector in Africa are written by African practitioners, including commissioned officers who are currently serving in the armed forces, medical officers and nurses working in the military, and African policy and academic experts. While the book does not comprehensively address all aspects of the impact of HIV/AIDS on the security sector, the contributors nonetheless highlight the potentials and limits of existing policies.

This book examines the evolving dynamics driving philanthropy as Western society struggles to meet today's many challenges. The author takes a hard look at the sensitive issues of democratic legitimacy, accountability and credibility in the context of civil society, as well as the changing policy environment in which foundations operate. He argues that effective philanthropy is "impact driven" and depends on a strategic mix of methodologies that reach beyond grant-giving. The arguments challenge the status quo and deliver a wake up call to philanthropists on both sides of the Atlantic. The book intends to spark an ongoing debate as the sector strives to strengthen its relevance and make a real difference in a world that is becoming more complex than ever before. About 80% to 90% of existing literature is from the Anglo-Saxon perspective and written by academics. This book represents a uniquely European perspective from a practitioner with more than 20 years experience in the field. Because of foundations' hefty - and growing - financial endowment, the questions of value creation, democratic legitimacy, intergenerational transfer of wealth, the payout rate and accountability are being debated. The author offers a European perspective on these issues. A new and dynamic philanthropy is emerging as foundations take on new roles in communities. These roles are examined within the context of different civil society models. A new role is emerging - that of convenor, or "catalytic converter", which brings various stakeholders together around a particular issue and then advocates for political and/or social change. The author ultimately argues for "impact driven" philanthropy and gives practical examples of how to get there. Challenges in our globalized world require both local and global solutions. The author urges European foundations to become more European and address the myriad challenges facing a reintegrated continent. He also urges them to assume a stronger leadership role on global issues such as HIV/AIDs, poverty, ethical challenges and drug policy.