Held in Arusha, Tanzania on 21-22 September 2002. I joined Arjan de Wagt of UNICEF in putting together the program and I edited these proceedings.

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This was my presentation to the UNICEF/WABA Colloquium on HIV and Infant Feeding in Arusha, Tanzania in 2002. As far as I know, this was the only conscious attempt made to bring the HIV and breastfeeding “communities” together to discuss the sensitive issues involved, searching for common ground, and learning from each other. It was a valuable experience; one that ought to be repeated.

I would like to begin by saluting UNICEF for its courage in standing up for breastfeeding and for recognising and acknowledging the key role of the breastfeeding-supportive non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Among the agencies and NGOs working on the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT), this is rare indeed.

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