Study Tours

The project has supported two study tours to Australia for policy makers from Xinjiang: The first study tour for operational level managers was conducted in October 2003. The second study tour for senior level policy makers, led by the Vice Governor, Mr Kurexi Maihesuti, took place in February 2004.

The aim of both study tours was to increase awareness and knowledge among the group of the diversity of policy issues and approaches to HIV prevention, care, treatment and support needed by people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA).

Albion Street Centre (an ambulatory care centre in Sydney) developed the study tour programs in conjunction with the project management team. The groups were given presentations on various topics by well-known specialists such as Christopher Puplick AM, Dr Alex Wodak and the Burnet Institute's Centre for Harm Reduction. The delegates visited the needle and syringe programs at places such as the Kirketon Road Centre and held discussions with PLWHA.

Both groups considered the study tours a valuable experience in terms of gaining a deeper understanding of HIV and AIDS issues and being given the opportunity to discuss comparative approaches between the two countries. The study tours enabled participants to reflect on future challenges and to step across traditional and cultural boundaries in order to reduce stigma and discrimination and enable access to care and services.

Senior Level Policy Makers Study Tour

(front row from left: Dr Maimaitiming Yasheng, Director-General, Xinjiang Regional Bureau of Health, Mr Kurexi Maihesuti, Vice Governor - Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Ms Elain Smit, PLWHA Speaker, Madam Gulizila Nuaidili, Vice Governor - Yili Prefecture; back row from left: Mr Zhang Hong, Vice Mayor, Urumqi City, Madam Amina Wushouer, Deputy Director, Xinjiang Regional Family Planning Commission, Mr Tuerxun Maisumu, Deputy Director-General, Department of Justice - Xinjiang, Dr Huang Bohua, Division Chief, Narcotic Control Division of Xinjiang Regional Public Security Bureau)

Operational Level Managers Study Tour

(from left: Mr Paerhati Kamili, Deputy Division Chief, Office of Foreign Affairs, Mr Chen Zhen-qi, Party Assembly, Detoxification Centre, Urumqi City Public Security Bureau, Dr Ayiding Kerimubayi, Director, Yili Prefecture Bureau of Health, Mr Yin Sui-qing, Deputy Director, Xinjiang Department of Justice, Bureau of Re-education through Labour, Dr Zhang Gui-mei, Deputy Division Chief, Regional Bureau of Health, Mr Shane Martin, Deputy Project/Technical Director, Ms Andrea Fischer, Project Manager, Mr Mao Wen-xin, Division Chief, Department of Education, Dr Tian Xu-zhong, Division Chief, Urumqi City Health Bureau, Dr Ni Ming-jian, Assistant to Director, Regional Centre for Disease Control, Mr Bai Yu-feng, Deputy Division Chief, Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation - Xinjiang)