Donetsk Oblast , Ukraine - January 2007 — At the end of 2006 , the “Open Space” forum took place in Donetsk as part of the USAID-funded “Reducing the Stigma and Discrimination Associated with HIV-infection and AIDS” program implemented by IRD. The objective of the forum was to use new communication technologies to bring people with different professional backgrounds together to discuss problems, voice their opinions, and offer solutions to problems associated with sexuality, drug use, and HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination.  Sixty participants attended this forum, organized and hosted by IRD in partnership with the local NGO “Molod’ Donbasy”.

At the forum, IRD opened the floor to the participants to discuss new approaches and find most effective solutions in overcoming HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination. Representatives from the Mariupol, Donetsk, Avdiivka, Dimitriv, Slavyansk and Dobropillya departments of health and social care on youth and family issues, education, police, media and public organizations took part in the discussion. Several issues facing people living with HIV/AIDS were discussed, including: raising the quality of programs highlighting problems of people living with HIV/AIDS in the media; combating discrimination by law enforcement and medical personnel; using art and creative work to combat discrimination; improving adoption rates of HIV-positive children; and improving attitudes towards in workplaces. 

The results of the two-day “Open Space” forum were presented to a committee consisting of the leading experts, oblast-level decision makers on HIV/AIDS issues, representatives of local authorities, local and international public organizations, and people living with HIV/AIDS. Participants were able to present problems specifically identified in their towns and propose their solutions and recommendations. Their ideas raised interest and feedback among the experts and decision makers on the committee.  At the end of the event, every participant received a compilation set with recommendations and proposals developed at the forum which will be shared with their colleagues.  

“‘Open Space’ gave us an opportunity to listen to opinions on the problems that concern us most in our  work with children on HIV/AIDS, and allowed us to exchange our experience and present the best practices of other towns in the oblast” said Nataliya Zyoma, Director of School #10 from Mariupol. “Now we understand better the needs of other organizations that work in HIV/AIDS. I also accepted an invitation to conduct training on stigma and discrimination for the employees of Social Service Center for Adolescent Youth and Families. I think that we will have a lot of other joint projects from now on!”

“I plan on conducting a similar event beginning in 2007," Mariya Oliynik, an employee of Slovyansk Center of Social Services for Families, Children and Youth, added. "I liked very much how we searched for solutions together in 'Open Space'. These discussions will be extremely productive for the residents of our small town.”

New initiatives are successful only when supported by energetic and active people willing to change the world for the better. The “Open Space” forum was a bridge, bringing all of Donetsk's efforts together for the benefit of the people.