This two-way exchange project introduced and facilitated community planning for HIV/AIDS education, prevention, and treatment through training workshops, observation of working models, and dialogue between American and Chinese government officials, public health professionals, and staff of community-based organizations. The main project focuses were the community planning models used by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in particular, and the role of the community in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in general.

In the first phase, an eight-member Chinese delegation came to the United States for observation of prevention and treatment programs developed by community planning groups, and consultation with some of the key actors involved in educational outreach and treatment efforts. Time spent in Atlanta, Providence, Boston, and Los Angeles featured briefings with U.S. CDC and state health department officials; discussions with representatives of community-based organizations leading HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment efforts; observation of community planning group meetings and outreach activities; and review of publications, websites, and other materials designed to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS.

In the second phase, a delegation of four Americans went to China to lead workshops in Beijing and Yunnan province. The American specialists made presentations and led discussions on the key principles and methods of the participatory planning model, including organization of a planning committee, assessment of needs and available resources, strategies for changing behaviors of at-risk populations, public-private partnerships, capacity building, and case studies.

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