Time to Deliver: XVI International AIDS Conference

Time to Deliver: XVI International AIDS Conference, Toronto, Canada, 13 - 18 August 2006

The 16th International AIDS conference will be held in Toronto, Canada from 13 - 18 August 2006. This year, the theme is “Time to Deliver,” underscoring the continued urgency of bringing effective HIV prevention and treatment strategies to communities all over the world. The conference is estimated to have 20,000 participants including scientists, health care providers, political and community leaders and people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHAs). The conference aims to: expand public awareness; highlight recent successes and challenges; influence key policy makers to increase commitment; and support the engagement and de-stigmatisation of PLWHAs.

For those unable to attend, the conference webpage AIDS2006.org will feature webcasts, full abstract texts, and downloadable presentation slides and transcripts of selected sessions. For information on registration, programmes and other activities, see the conference website or contact the International AIDS society at P.O. Box 2, CH - 1216 Cointrin, GENEVA, Switzerland, Phone: +41-(0)22-7 100 800, Fax: +41-(0)22-7 100 899 or email info@iasociety.org

See the conference website at: www.aids2006.org/

Meetings & Training: Pre-International AIDS Conference Meetings Toronto , Canada

There are a number of meetings and training sessions happening in Toronto, Canada just prior to the International AIDS Conference in August 2006. See a selection of these events below:

Making the connection: vulnerable populations, HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health and rights, 12 August 2006, Toronto, Canada

A number of international organisations are hosting a workshop that will focus on intensifying linkages between HIV, AIDS and SRHR (sexual and reproductive health and rights) at the policy and programme levels, with particular focus on the impact of these dynamics on vulnerable communities. The objectives of the workshop are: to provide an overview of the issues; share on the ground experience in developing policies to support the linkages and experience in programme delivery; identify and discuss approaches to ensuring a rights-based approach in programme design and delivery; and engage affected communities and strengthen networks in order to identify priorities and possible approaches for further policy and programme action in the health sector and beyond. Please note that space is limited.

For more information, contact Heather McMullen on heather@acpd.ca or at +1 613 562-0880 ext 226 or go to: www.acpd.ca/acpd.cfm/en/section/Home

Stigma symposium, 12 August 2006, Toronto, Canada

The International Center for Research on Women, with GlaxoSmithKine’s Positive Action and the Elton John AIDS foundation, is hosting a one day symposium on research on HIV and AIDS-related stigma and the exploration of strategies and tools for stigma reduction. Held on 12 August in Toronto, Canada, this symposium seeks to maximise learning, the cross-sharing of lessons and the building of capacity and potential collaboration among key groups working to reduce the stigma of AIDS. The symposium will include a plenary session, presentations and hand-on skills-building sessions.

For more information or to register for this event, please contact Jennifer Ramsey at: JRamsey@icrw.org.

HIV/AIDS, Conflict and Displacement: Pre-Toronto 2006 International AIDS Conference Event, 12 August 2006

In the run up to the 2006 International AIDS Conference in Toronto, Canada, UNICEF, UNHCR and the Interagency Task Force on HIV/AIDS (IAFT) are organising a one-day meeting specifically dedicated to the theme of HIV and AIDS programming in conflict settings. The meeting, on the 12th August at the Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel, will provide an opportunity for all stakeholders (the humanitarian community, policy-makers, implementing agencies, donors, civil society, persons infected and affected by HIV and AIDS and others) to take stock of the experiences developed over the course of the past years, evaluate the lessons learned, identify the policy and programmatic ways forward, and set the agenda for the years to come.

For more information, contact Betty Noakes, UNICEF Canada at bnoakes@unicef.ca or tel: +1 416 482 4444 ext 826 Fax: +1 416 482 8035