The GAVI alliance is an organization that seeks to increase access of immunization across the globe. The following video gives an introduction to the wonderful work they do:

 

VSAP has prepared a letter urging Mr Kevin Rudd to take action against vaccine-preventable diseases in developing countries. You can show your support by downloading and signing this letter. Your 50c postage could ensure Australia offers the support GAVI needs to vaccinate and protect children around the world.

  Letter to Kevin Rudd (99.7 KiB, 104 hits)

Do vaccines still have an important role to play in society?
How many children’s lives can they save worldwide?
And can they really cause Autism?

The Victorian Students’ Aid Program (VSAP), Melbourne Uni’s global health group, invites you to attend a 3-part Lecture Series on Vaccines, when world-renowned experts in the field will answer these questions and many more.

Dates: Wednesday 11th May, Monday 16th May, Wednesday 18th May

Time: 6:15pm for a 6:30pm start

Venue: JH Mitchell theatre, Richard Berry Building (Swanston St), The University of Melbourne

Refreshments provided.

SCHEDULE

Lecture 1 (May 11):

Introduction to Vaccines & the Global Burden of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

Prof Trevor Duke – Director, Centre for International Child Health and Paediatric Intensive Care Specialist at the Royal Children’s Hospital

Lecture 2 (May 16):

Vaccines: how they work and how they impact on the individual

A/Prof Stephen Turner – Microbiology and Immunology dept. and Pfizer Senior Research fellow

Lecture 3 (May 18):

Global impact of vaccines (a public health perspective) and future directions

Professor Frank Shann – Paediatric Intensive Care Specialist and International expert on Vaccinations
Monica Burns – Paediatric Intensive Care Nurse, Volunteer with Medecins Sans Frontieres

Come along to the Med foyer Monday 13/09/10 for some delicious sweet temptations, and a chat with our new VSAP Executive committee about how you can get involved in the year ahead!

All money raised will go to the Australian Red Cross Pakistan Floods Appeal.

You are cordially invited to the VSAP Meet the Travellers & Global Health Appreciation Dinner!

Over a lovely two course meal, you will hear from students who have travelled overseas and experienced the difficult problems facing adequate delivery of global health care.

Our fantastic supporters and sponsors will also speak about why they support such a student charity and share their ideas for the future.

This is a great opportunity to discover the important issues surrounding global health while enjoying an evening of networking, fun and food! You will also have the chance to find out how to get involved and contribute ideas toward VSAP’s future as the University of Melbourne’s global health group.

We welcome all past, present and future members of VSAP – just bring your enthusiasm and heart for humanity!

DETAILS OF THE EVENING:

When – Wednesday 12th May; 6.30pm for drinks, 7pm for dinner.
Where – Cafe Italia, 56/66 University St, Carlton (off Lygon St)
Tickets – $25 pp (inclusive of entree/main/drink)
RSVP – $10 deposit to the MDHS Student Centre (1st floor, Brownless Library) (Preferably by 7th of May)

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact:
Edmund Wee (Med II): edmundwee1(at)gmail.com — 0430812712
Mabel Leung (Med IV): learn.mabel(at)gmail.com — 0404940891
Smita Deb (Med IV): smitadeb8(at)gmail.com — 0431040801

‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has’ – Margeret Mead

The Victorian Student Aid Project (VSAP), is excited to present a Global Health lecture series in March 2010.

Over the last 12 months, VSAP members identified a desire for further Global health education at the University of Melbourne. This lecture series is a part of a student initiative to further access to knowledge in this area – for medical students, but also for staff and members of the community who also would like to be informed. We feel that education is the strongest way to deal with all Global Health issues, and we would love for you to share in this vision.

We have chosen to present the global health issue on one of the World Health Organisation Millennium Development Goals addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

We have invited several guest speakers with experience and expertise in this field, to present their thoughts in the area.

* On the 2nd of March,’ Professor Rob Moodie, who will discuss ‘HIV/AIDS- What’s all the fuss about?’ and Professor Roger Short will share with us on ‘How to prevent HIV in the developing world?’

* On the 9th of March, Associate Professor Nicholas Tonti-Filippini, will be presenting on ‘ Ethics. STIS and Health Promotion. Did the Catholic Church get it wrong?’.

* 16th of March, will be Associate Professor Peter Deutschmann his topic will be the ‘Challenges of HIV prevention in NE India’. Brigitte Tenni who is an expert in the effect HIV/AIDS has had in Thailand, will present alongside Assoc Professor Deutschman.

Each lecture will be followed by a Q and A session.

The lecture series will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6pm until about 8.30pm, in the University of Melbourne Law Building’s GM15 Lecture Theatre.

Light refreshments will be available.

This lecture series is free for all VSAP members, and for non VSAP members we are asking for a gold coin donation each evening.

For more information and to register your interest, check out the ‘VSAP shortcourse on HIV/AIDS’ event on Facebook. You can also check out the promotional flyer below:

  Global Health Lectures - HIV/AIDs (126.0 KiB, 499 hits)

It will be a great opportunity for students from a variety of backgrounds to engage in a complex and profound issue that affects so many.

We look forward to seeing you, it won’t be the same if you are not there!

Warm Regards,

The VSAP Education Team
Email: vsap.education(at)gmail.com