SiREN SYMPOSIUM WRAP-UP

The third biennial SiREN Symposium was held last week at Technology Park Function Centre. Across two days, over 100 delegates participated in discussions, networking, and workshops; while a team of 10 volunteers assisted the SiREN team in making sure everything ran smoothly. Seven travel grants were awarded to delegates living in rural and remote WA; with delegates travelling from Denmark, Kalgoorlie, Esperance, Carnarvon, and Albany to attend and contribute to both days of the Symposium.

A broad range of topics were covered throughout the Symposium, including improving access to STI and BBV treatment and resources, community participation in research and evaluation, resource development, and migrant populations.

Our panel of Kai Schweizer (YEP Crew), Habiba Asim (YEP Crew), and Stephen Boccaletti (Freedom Centre) provided delegates with their perspectives on sexual health. Comments from the panel included the importance of end-to-end inclusion of young people in research and other activities, the need for inclusive content and resources, and ensuring young people know that they are valued.

 

 

 

 

An advocacy workshop led by Dr Mel Stoneham and Melinda Edmunds from the Public Health Advocacy Institute of WA (PHAIWA) equipped delegates with the necessary skills to advocate for policy change.

Keynote presentations from Professor Martin Holt (UNSW), Professor Rebecca Guy (UNSW), Associate Professor James Ward (SAHMRI), and Dr Joe Doyle (Burnet Institute) provided insights into the latest national and Perth-based data, the media's role in public and sexual health, and the need for targeted interventions.

 

 

 

For those who attended and were unable to complete the Symposium Evaluation Form, please keep an eye on your inbox as we will be sending delegates a link to an online evaluation form in the coming days.

Thank you to all those who took part in the Symposium's development and coordination, and to all those who attended! We hope you found the SiREN Symposium to be an insightful, memorable, and rewarding experience.

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

SECCA Open Day. SECCA are hosting an open day on 21 June to showcase their new app, listen to presentations from teachers and experts who use the app, and network afterwards. To register your interest please call 08 9420 7226 or email admin@secca.org.au.

Youth Futures: Connection and Mobility in the Asia Pacific. Hosted by Deakin University's Alfred Deakin Institute, this two day symposium (15-16 November) will explore issues of mobility; digital practices, spaces, and cultures; intercultural relations; diversity and migration; and opportunities for young people in a globalised world. For more information, please visit the Symposium's website.

NEWS & RESOURCES

YOUR Health Case Study. SiREN has developed a case study video with Bianca Fish from HepatitisWA about the YOUR Health program. YOUR Health is an education program that aims to equip young people with the skills and knowledge they need to make positive choices about their sexual and mental health, relationships, and blood-borne virus risk. The program is a partnership between HepatitisWA, Peer Based Harm Reduction WA, SHQ, and the WA AIDS Council. Watch the video here.

HTLV-1 in Australia. Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) has received wide-spread attention in the media in May. Sharing some features of HIV, HTLV-1 can be transmitted by sex, blood contact, and mother to child. Unlike HIV however, HTLV-1 causes a more diffuse range of disease, severe in some people and non-existent in others. Please click here to read more about ASHM's response to HTLV-1 and access selected media articles. 

Sex Education Journal - Special Issue on Trans Youth in Education. This special issue explores how educational policies, curriculum, and practices of teaching and learning affect young people who identify as trans, gender non-binary, or non-conforming. To access the issue, please visit the journal's website.

Sex Safe Study. The resource describes a project led by the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity & Health, which was designed to promote the sexual health and well being of international students through a peer-led model. To read the final report, please click here

AFAO Media Release. AFAO have released a statement in response to the Federal budget. To read, please visit the AFAO website.

Website updates. The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet and their Alcohol and Other Drugs Knowledge Centre site have been extensively redesigned. Their new format allows for easier navigation and quicker searches, resulting in improved workforce support. The Knowledge Centre also includes new portals addressing harm reduction, health impacts, and social impacts. To view the websites please click the following links: HealthInfoNetThe Knowledge Centre.

What's Going on Down There? This resource, developed by researchers at Monash University and the University of Melbourne, aims to raise awareness of bacterial vaginosis and other common vaginal conditions. To view the website, please click here.

ASHM Appoint New CEO. The Australian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) have appointed Alexis Apostolellis as their next CEO and Scott McGill as Deputy CEO and Programs Director. To view the full announcement, please visit the ASHM website.

TRAINING

Expressions of Interest - PrEP Training for WA GPs, Nurses, and Other Health Professionals. The WA Health Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program are seeking expressions of interest from those who would like to attend training to support the prescribing and management of PrEP. Training will be held in multiple locations across WA. To register your interest, please click here.

Mooditj Leader Training: Hosted by SHQ from 5 - 8 June, Mooditj Leader Training will build your knowledge, skills and confidence to run the fun and interactive Mooditj program for young people in your community. To register, please visit the SHQ website.

Nuts and Bolts of Sexual Health: Consisting of one core day and two full day electives, this program offers the core knowledge, attitudes, and skills required to provide respectful relationships and sexual health information and support to young people. Nuts and Bolts will be held on 17 - 19 July. To register, please visit the SHQ website.

GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS

Research Translation Projects. Applications are open for the WA Health Research Translation Projects program. The program seeks to support high-quality research projects that have the potential to demonstrate improved cost effectiveness or efficiencies that can be delivered to WA Health with a focus on translation of research outcomes into health care policy and practice in WA. Applications close on 18 June at 1pm. For more information please visit the program website.

ViiV Healthcare Australia - Positive Action Community Grants. The Positive Action Community Grants enable the delivery of programs that encourage greater and meaningful involvement of people living with HIV. A total of $150,000 will be awarded to successful applicants. For more information please contact john.c.walton@viivhealthcare.com.