RATN - The Regional AIDS Training Network (RATN) was established in 1997 as a project funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) designed to build regional capacity for HIV response in Eastern and Southern Africa. RATN's status changed in April 2003 when it moved from being a project to a registered international/regional Non-Governmental Organization representing a consortium of training Institutions in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) to collaborate on training activities related to STIs/HIV/AIDS in the region.

Vision

"A Society with the capacity to respond effectively to the HIV and AIDS pandemic".

Mission

"To strengthen the capacity of relevant individuals, organizations and other stakeholders to respond to STIs/HIV/AIDS in the Eastern and Southern African region".

The primary rationale for establishing RATN was in developing the technical and management capacities to implement effective HIV and AIDS interventions. In order to achieve this, RATN functions as a catalyst or facilitator to strengthen the capacity of member training institutions and as a forum of exchange of good practices and experiences.

RATN is currently made up of a membership of twenty nine Training Member Institutions (RATN MIs) developing and delivering skills development courses targeted at mid-level STI/HIV/AIDS workers, trainers, programme managers and senior policy makers. The broad categories of RATN MIs include (a) International NGOs; (b) National and Local NGOs; (c) Management Institutions; and (d) University Departments.

RATN is a unique model for HIV training and capacity development. There are several international, regional and national organizations with a training mandate in the area of HIV and AIDS operating in Eastern and Southern Africa. But RATN is a very unique model for training and capacity development for HIV response in the Eastern and Southern Africa region. RATN's uniqueness lies in the principle of networking of several training institutions to tackle systemic barriers to addressing training and capacity development gaps and therefore allow for cross-fertilization of best practices and tools for effective HIV training and capacity building.

Key areas of activity

• Training and Capacity Development
• Knowledge and Information Management
• Advocacy, Partnerships and Networking
• Research, Monitoring and Evaluation

Training delivery with systematic adult learning approaches

At least 75 percent of RATN's training programmes are tailored to address the needs of adult learners considering the adults learning skills are supposed to take into account the many experiences and challenges that the adult learners come along with to training courses. Since inception RATN has mastered the art of applying training methodologies that promote participation and exchange of experiences to enhance transfer of skills. The training programmes have clear instructional plans and the use case studies, group discussions, personal experiences and the development of work plans are incorporated within the training methodologies. At the end of training, participants are encouraged to develop action plans on how the new skills and knowledge will translate to improved performance at their places of work.

For a detailed listing of upcoming courses visit the RATN website www.ratn.org

RATN-RST cooperation

The UNAIDS RST support RATN as a one-stop regional resource centre for information on training and capacity building.

Geographic coverage

Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region.

Contact

Kelvin Storey
Executive Director
PO Box 16035-00100 GPO
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 20 3871016/3872129/3872201/3872235
Fax: +254 20 3872270
storeyk@ratn.org; ratn@ratn.org

www.ratn.org