AIDSPortal is an international networking initiative providing tools to support global collaboration and knowledge sharing among new and existing networks of people responding to the AIDS epidemic around the world.

"designed to help NGOs that are working on the front line in countries affected by AIDS to share information...supported by the Department for International Development's global Aids policy team....the site contains a jaw-dropping amount of information." Rating: "5 out of 5" (for content), "17 out of 20" (total).
Third Sector Magazine, 10 January 2007.


What does AIDSPortal offer?

An information service and research tool
> Browse and search pages that bring together publications, web links, events, people, organisations and discussions on over 100 topics focused around policy initiatives, programmatic issues and countries.
> Receive email updates on the latest research, news and jobs for specific subjects, countries or policy issues.
> Learn about emerging issues in countries affected by HIV and AIDS and join discussions run by people that live and work there.
> Find contact details for individuals working on HIV and AIDS programmes and see publications that they have contributed.
> Access national policy and strategy papers from Governments
> Join communities of practice on subjects that interest you and draw on the expertise of your peers.
> Get the latest information on major events, including technical documents and outcome papers

A networking opportunity
> Research which organisations are working where and on what and build partnerships with them
> Discover other people interested in or working on the same issues as you and network with them
> Manage discussions on issues you are working on and invite specific people or organisations to participate

A way to track and engage in global policy issues
> Find out the latest information about the Three Ones or Universal Access and see what work other organisations are doing on these issues
> Join discussions around global policy issues and contribute your experiences and publications

A way to share your expertise
> Disseminate information about your work globally and get feedback from your peers
> Use AIDSPortal as a platform to publicise your events, share related information and run parallel discussions or blogs
> Invite specific people to a closed email discussion that you manage
> Consult with civil society at country level

How can I get involved?
Most of the information shared through AIDSPortal is openly available to anyone. However, to really get the most out of the site you need to become a member of the information sharing network. Membership is free. Members can use AIDSPortal to share information about their work and network with other members. They can:
> Access organisational and individual contact information directories
> Share documents, web links and contact information
> Publicise information about events, projects and jobs
> Review or give feedback on any document or event
> Set up and run discussions, inviting specific people to participate
> Save libraries of key documents and useful searches in their profile
> Sign up to receive e-mail summaries about specific issues
> Join discussions run by other members
> Invite new members to join

What is the long-term vision?
Networking and people are at the core of AIDSPortal. This unique focus means that information sharing becomes a dynamic process between individuals in a global community of shared practice. Instead of centralised management, AIDSPortal will work with country partners to devolve management and control of the website.

We currently have local Facilitators based in South Africa and Kenya exploring this process. AIDSPortal Facilitators support local organisations to access information and disseminate through their networks. They also help people to share information through AIDSPortal and produce regional newsletters that disseminate the latest events and publications to colleagues in that region.

Over time to we seek to develop representative, regional steering committees made up of organisations at the regional level. We will develop central protocols that maintain quality, while enabling local organisations to guide and control the development of the resource.

This approach supports local organisations, enabling them to network and share information across countries and more effectively track and engage in policy issues.

How can I find out more information?

Visit www.aidsportal.org and have a look.

View AIDSPortal FAQ/Help page

View AIDSPortal User Guide
Explains how information is organised on the site, how to search, how to user the interactive tools, how to find people and organisations and how discussions work.

Contact Rob Worthington, AIDSPortal Manager, e-mail: rob@aidsconsortium.org.uk, tel: 020 7324-4780