Australia’s first ever digital archive of education initiatives related to HIV and LGBTI health has been launched to mark World AIDS Day.
Developed by ACON, the landmark database features all the HIV and LGBTI health related social marketing campaigns that the organisation has produced since it was established in 1985 in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Along with being the first of its kind in Australia, ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill says the archive will function as both a vital record of NSW’s LGBTI history and a valuable source of inspiration for people working in the health promotion sector now and in the future.
“On World AIDS Day, we’re very proud to be able to provide this wonderful new resource for our community,” said Mr Parkhill. “The database is a digital information and education catalogue dedicated to promoting over 30 years of health promotion work targeting gay men and broader LGBTI communities in NSW and Australia, and includes campaigns developed in partnership with the NSW and Australian governments, other HIV and LGBTI health organisations, and a range of community groups.”
“In addition to its important historical value, we hope this database will help inform and inspire contemporary practitioners in the HIV and LGBTI health sectors. We also plan to keep adding all our future campaigns to the archive which will ensure it remains a live documentation of our response to the issues which effect the health of the communities we serve.”
Mr Parkhill says the current 30 year span of the archive combined with the broad nature of ACON’s work as an organisation means the database has a fascinating variety of content.
“While the process of developing, producing and implementing our health promotion campaigns has evolved significantly over the last 30 years, ACON’s commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of the people and communities we serve has remained firm.”
“HIV prevention and HIV support has been and continues to be the core of our work and so this is reflected in the content of this database. However we have produced many other campaigns related to a range of other health issues which impact on our community such as sexual health, mental health, alcohol and drugs, community safety, domestic and family violence, social inclusion and healthy ageing. This is also captured in the archive.”
Mr Parkhill says alongside the extraordinary range of content, the database also showcases ACON’s approach to health promotion campaigns and the philosophy that underpins it.
“Our work over the last 30 years has been guided by four principles: that people and communities affected by particular health issues should be included and active in any response; that the promotion of health-enhancing information, values and behaviour should be done by people who share similar social backgrounds or life experiences to the target population; that evidence based responses are essential to building and retaining the trust of our community and organisational partners; and that the most effective way to engage people around sexual health is to have a positive, life-affirming view of sexual activity in all its diversity.”
For more information and to view the ACON Campaigns Database, visit: www.aconcampaigns.com.au for details.
Image: various ACON campaigns (supplied)