Core Research Areas

The heart of JLICA's efforts to improve the global response to children affected by HIV/AIDS is its four interdisciplinary Learning Groups (LGs). JLICA's Learning Groups conduct strategic research, facilitate innovative problem-solving and increase communication across disciplines and among stakeholders.

Learning Group membership is composed of practitioners, scholars, policymakers and other experts, and incorporates gender and geographical balance, disciplinary diversity, and strong representation from countries with a high burden of HIV/AIDS.

The Initiative's final work product—expected in late 2008—will be policy and programme recommendations based on the work of the Learning Groups.

Core Research Areas

Strengthening Families

Examines the HIV pandemic's impact on family and social support systems, and investigates how families can best be supported to protect children and adolescents from HIV infection, poverty and social disruption.

Community Action

Looks at how community-based responses to children affected by HIV/AIDS can be made more effective and cost-efficient, while preserving and strengthening local empowerment.

Access to Service & Human Rights

Identifies ways to overcome barriers to providing essential, integrated health care and social services for children in low-income, high disease burden communities.

Social & Economic Policies

Documents the policy changes and new resources needed to help governments and international institutions effectively protect children—particularly adolescent girls—affected by HIV/AIDS. This group will also identify costs for the policy and programming recommendations of the other Learning Groups.