Understanding HIV: What tertiary media educators need to know

January 31, 2008


Background to the Abstract

The title of this abstract needs a definite response because many of our international media students come from countries that have, or will experience, a serious HIV epidemic. Dr Peter Piot, Executive Director of the United Nations AIDS Programme, stated on World AIDS Day (1 December 2006) that 42 million people were already infected with HIV and that this number could double by 2020. The pandemic is still in its infancy and Asia, with more than 60 per cent of the world's population, is destined to become the new epicentre. The seriousness of the situation is evident when you consider India's population: a one per cent increase in HIV infections will translate into 6 million new HIV cases. A similar scenario could develop in China - a country with the largest population in Asia. As vast parts of southern Africa have shown, the HIV epidemic, if allowed to spread unchecked, will ultimately cripple a country's workforce and devastate social, political and economic life.

Recommended Citation

TL Forum (2008). Preparing for the graduate of 2015. Proceedings of the 17th Annual Teaching Learning Forum, 30-31 January 2008. Perth: Curtin University of Technology. http://otl.curtin.edu.au/tlf/tlf2008/contents-all.html

About the Author

Dr Trevor Cullen (PhD) is Professor of Journalism at Edith Cowan University in Perth, Western Australia. Trevor is recognised as a national and international leader in the field of HIV/health Journalism and Journalism education. He has received several University and national teaching and research awards. These include two Australian Government awards – A National Teaching and Learning Fellowship (NTF) and the Australian Award for University Teaching. (AAUT).

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