International authority on HIV/AIDS in Africa to deliver lecture at SU June 24

International authority on HIV/AIDS in Africa to deliver lecture at SU June 24June 14, 2006Carol K. Masiclatclkim@syr.edu

On Saturday, June 24, the Department of African American Studies in The College of Arts and Sciences at Syracuse University will present, “The Dream of a Future Without AIDS: A Tree a Child,” a lecture by Beth Maina Ahlberg, professor of international health in the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health at Uppsala University in Uppsala, Sweden. The event will take place from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at 805 East Genesee St.

Kenyan-born Ahlberg is also a social science researcher coordinator at the Skaraborg Institute of Research and Development in Skorvde, Sweden. During her visit to SU, Ahlberg will share her work on HIV/AIDS in Eastern Africa, focusing on a current project in Maasailand, Kenya. In addition to her teaching in the area of public health (with an emphasis on sociology), she has lectured extensively on theory and methods of social science, the sociology of health and sexual and reproductive health. She has conducted extensive research in eastern and southern Africa and Sweden focusing particularly on methodological issues in the study of sexual and reproductive health, including birth control, the control of sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS, female genital mutilation and gender issues.

“Beth is a colleague, comrade and fellow activist who has, for many years, been very deeply involved in pro-people’s struggles in Africa and internationally,” says Micere Githae Mugo, department chair and professor of African American Studies. “We are delighted to be hosting her and to have the support of The Ghana Society of Central New York, the Pan African Community of Central New York and the United Women of Africa Organization as co-sponsors of this event.”

June 5 marked the 25th anniversary of the first diagnosed cases of AIDS.

Ahlberg’s lecture is in support of local and national AIDS awareness campaigns and will link her work with local efforts by committed community organizations. June 27 is National AIDS Testing Day.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Doreen Blenman at 443-4302, by e-mail at aas@cas.syr.edu, or visit http://aas.syr.edu.