A Generation at Risk: The Global Impact of HIV/AIDS on Orphans and Vulnerable Children

With a Foreword by Desmond Tutu, Generation at Risk brings insightful perspectives from experienced practitioners and researchers on how a better future can be secured for the millions of children who are being orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS. The current situation of these children is grim, and while there has been significant action by governments, international organizations, religious bodies, and non-governmental organizations, the vast majority of children made vulnerable by AIDS have not benefited from any assistance beyond their own extended family and community. A Generation at Risk explains in straightforward terms what is required to fill this gap. The book addresses what needs to be done in the areas of education, community mobilization and capacity building, economic strengthening at household and community levels, psychosocial support, and the protection of children and the fulfilment of their rights.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: HIV/AIDS and its long-term impact on children Carol Levine, Geoff Foster and John Williamson; 1. Family and community-based care for children affected by HIV/AIDS: strengthening the frontline response Stanley Ngalazu Phiri and David Tolfree; 2. Strengthening households and communities: the key to reducing the economic impacts of HIV/AIDS on children and families Jill Donahue; 3. The educational system's response to the needs of orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS Michael J. Kelly; 4. Psychosocial impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on children and youth Laurie Bauman and Stefan Germann; 5. Human rights and children affected by HIV/AIDS Sofia Gruskin and Daniel Tarantola; 6. Religion and responses to orphans in Africa Geoff Foster; 7. Making the right choices: protecting Asian-Pacific children and young people from HIV and its impacts Tim Brown and Werasit Sittitrai; 8. Troubled tapestries: children, families, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States Barbara H. Draimin and Warren A. Reich; 9. Interventions to support children affected by HIV/AIDS: priority areas for future research Douglas Webb; 10 Finding a way forward: reducing the impacts of HIV/AIDS on vulnerable children and families John Williamson; Chronology of important events; Resource guide; Index.

About the Author :
Dr Geoff Foster trained in medicine in London and took up an appointment in 1985 as a specialist pediatrician with the government of Zimbabwe. In 1987, he founded Family AIDS Caring Trust (FACT), a faith-based nongovernmental organization and one of Africa's first AIDS service organizations. During the 1990s, FACT pioneered HIV/AIDS care, prevention and training programs including a widely replicated, community-based model supporting orphans and vulnerable children. Carol Levine is currently director of the Families and Health Care Project at the United Hospital Fund in New York City. She also directs The Orphan Project: Families and Children in the HIV Epidemic, which she founded in 1991. She was director of the Citizens Commission on AIDS in New York City from 1987 to 1991. John Williamson is the senior technical advisor for the Displaced Children and Orphans Fund (DCOF) of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), supporting programming for children affected by armed conflict, street children, and children affected by AIDS. Since 1994, he has written or contributed to publications concerning children orphaned or otherwise made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS, including the Children on the Brink series.

Review :
'This book's editors and contributors address the growing problem of children affected by HIV/AIDS. With a focus on childhood rights, strengthening household income, international policy, and research priorities, this book will be useful to advanced students and scholars.' Choice