Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the UK’s Department for International Development (DfID) for funding the production of this booklet, which has enabled the voices of those involved in the research to be heard more widely throughout the region.

We would also like to thank the International Aid Network (IAN) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine for their support throughout the research. We are grateful to IAN and Global Fund in Serbia for their contri­bution to the printing costs of this booklet.

This research was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) in the UK and we would like to thank them for their support in conducting re­search here in Serbia and in Montenegro.

Conducting research in more than one language presents particular chal­lenges. The study has benefited greatly from the professionalism, commitment and multi-skilled ability of our translator Ljubica Gavanski.

To say that this research would not have been possible without the ongoing commitment of our participants is to attempt to master the understatement. Their contribution over three years to this research has been extraordinary. Many have participated at some risk to themselves but have been determined to contribute their voice to help bring HIV out of the shadows in Serbia and in Montenegro. As you will read from their words, they are courageous, eloquent, witty and thought­ful individuals. Countless times we have been humbled by their ability, in spite of their circumstances, to be inspired and thrilled by life and be forever hopeful.

To all those who have given their time and energy to tell us their stories, thank you. It’s been a privilege to hear your stories and know you over the past three years.

We hope that this research can be part of changing public attitudes to indi­viduals living with HIV and anyone who is discriminated against on account of difference.

Sarah Bernays, Katarina Janković Terzić and Tim Rhodes