"The concept of a Regional BCC Network for HIV/AIDS for East, Central and Southern Africa (ECSA) grew out of a common interest and understanding among a number of BCC practitioners dealing with HIV/AIDS in the region that something needed to be done to help address common challenges and needs, improve strategies, and build capacity in the area of BCC. In October 2001, they formed a BCC Task Force to recommend specific activities for addressing key areas of interest in BCC and for coordinating BCC efforts in the region, including organising a wider regional meeting for initiating a formal regional BCC Network [...] The objectives of the meeting were to: share lessons learned and interventions in BCC in the ECSA region; discuss key current issues and BCC tools for HIV/AIDS; discuss the expansion and operationalisation of the BCC Network for HIV/AIDS; foster linkages among BCC practitioners and those in allied professions in ECSA. The main themes of the meeting agenda highlighted the emerging issues in planning and programming for BCC; developing BCC for care and treatment; addressing stigma; reaching youth; and strengthening research, monitoring, and evaluation of BCC interventions [...] This report is an overview of the proceedings of the meeting and is intended to serve as a resource and learning document for meeting participants as well as for other BCC practitioners in the region. The structure of the report follows that of the meeting agenda and includes a summary of all plenary and concurrent session presentations and all group work discussions." (Executive summary)