The China HIV/AIDSInformation Network (CHAIN) is an open and participatory platform for sharing and exchaning HIV/AIDS information and resources.

CHAIN was founded in 2002 by National Center for AIDS/STD Prevention and Control (NCAIDS), National Institute of Health Education (IHE) and Chinese Association of STD & AIDS Prevention and Control (CASAPC) With support and funding from; UNAIDS, UNICEF, China-UK HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Project (HAPAC), and The Ford Foundation. The Organisation was registered as an independent NGO in August of 2005 at Civil Affairs Bureau of Chaoyang District, Beijing, under the monitor of Beijing Health Bureau.

CHAIN has also been operating under funding by the CHARTS project, with technical support from Family Health International. A two-year agreement for “Institutional Development of CHAIN” was signed with FHI in Dec 2005 which has proved an important project at building the capacity of CHAIN as an information provider.

CHAIN’s mission is tosupport China’ s multi-sector response to HIV/AIDS by providing a platform for sharing information and promoting communication that enhances the collaborative effort of a harmonized society.

 Our goals include;

• Strengthening the leadership and co-ordination of HIV/AIDS responses at a National level
• Improving the mechanisms for exchanging and using information by mobilising the necessary resources and utilising them more effectively
• Enhancing the capacity for implementation and monitoring at provincial and sub-provincial levels
• Promoting China’s HIV/AIDS response and efforts made by both government and civil society and share China’s experience. We hope to achieve this goal by keeping all parties up to date with the latest information. By connecting government agecies and International NGOs to local civil society organisations we aim to provide strong lines of communication and resource sharing links which will strengthen the HIV/AIDS response in China.

 Our services incude;

• A Chinese and English website including current information on HIV/AIDS

www.chain.net.cn

www.chain.net.cn/english

• Physical library
• Books/brochures/DVD of 123 kinds 39,956 copies in total.
• More than 21,000 copies of books/DVD provided to 875 individuals and institutionssince April, 2007.

For further information on how you can help to support CHAIN please contact Marketing and Promotions Officer Natasha Holt at: natashaholt@chain.net.cn

 CHAIN: Keeping you informed