(GENEVA, SWITZERLAND) - May 15, 1998 – The Scientific Planning Committee of the 12th
World AIDS Conference has selected 5,000 abstracts submitted from 136 countries. Based on
the latest registration figures more than 11,000 delegates are expected to attendthe six
day Conference commencing on June 28th, 1998 at the PALEXPO in Geneva.
Dr. Bernard Hirschel, Chair of the Conference and head of the HIV/AIDS section of the
Cantonal University described this Conference as the pivotal meeting ground for all those
concerned about scientific, political and community issues regarding HIV/AIDS. 'As the
pace of research accelerates, the 12th World AIDS Conference will be a key opportunity for
the world's leading scientists from many disciplines to report their progress, share
scientific knowledge and develop strategies for the continuing fight against AIDS. This
action should be translated action relevant to Communities' experience of the HIV/AIDS
pandemic.'
This year's Conference theme focuses on 'Bridging The Gap' between North and South,
between scientists and community, between people themselves. The North and South are
representative of the developed and developing countries, where more than ninety percent
(90%) of people with HIV/AIDS live.
The plenary programme for the Conference will feature 20 leading HIV experts from
throughout the world, highlighting the latest developments in AIDS research and focusing
international attention on the urgent need to 'Bridge The Gap.'
The programme is structured in four distinct tracks, addressing HIV-related issues
including basic and clinical science, patient treatment, care, epidemiology, prevention,
public health, human rights and social and behavioural science. Policy implications and
community perspectives thread throughout all four tracks, building bridges between people
living with HIV/AIDS and their communities from different regions around the globe.
Leading scientists have been primarily responsible for planning the scientific aspects of
the programme, although they are working closely with people living with HIV and other
members of the HIV community. In turn, those planning the community aspects have been
supported by scientists and recognise how many scientists are themselves deeply affected
by the pandemic at a personal level.
COMMUNITY ASPECTS
The community components of the Conference have been designed to complement and support
the scientific sessions. They include the Community Rendez-Vous, Orientation Sessions,
Community Symposia, Skills Building Sessions, the Community Village, Social-Cultural
Outreach, the Scholarship Program and the Electronic Talking Tree situated at the heart of
the Conference Community Village.
Both scientists and
community representatives have been encouraged to apply for scholarships and the
Conference has received an overwhelming 3,600 applications, nearly double the number
applying to the last conference. The Conference has dedicated 2 million Swiss Francs to
this initiative, approximately 10% of the delegates will be attending the Conference as
part of the Scholarship Program. These scholarship delegates will benefit from extensive
Skills Building Program provided in English, French and Spanish.
According to Robin Gorma, Community Planning Committee Chair, "as the Committee
planned this year's Conference, we were always conscious of the need to reflect the
difficult realities of living with AIDS, especially in communities struggling with
seriously limited resources." Out of this issue 'The Geneva Principle' was born to
attempt to bridge the gap between Science and Community by involving both sectors in all
aspects of the Conference development.
The Community Village has been designed to include NGO booths, an selection of Swiss
organisations to facilitate dialogue and exchange, a platform for public presentations and
the central Electronic Talking Tree.
MEDIA REGISTRATION
Registration: Journalists are encouraged to submit registration and accommodation forms as
soon as possible, as hotel space in Geneva is limited. A limited number of hotel rooms has
been reserved for the media and will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis. For
further inquiries please contact:
Congrex Sweden AB
AIDS 98
P.O. Box 5619
Linnegatan 89A SE-114 86 Stockholm Sweden
Phone: +46-8-459-6600 Fax: +46-8-661-8155
The 12th World AIDS Conference is organised by a non-profit association with a Secretariat
in Geneva, under the auspices of the International AIDS Society. Conference co-organisers
include The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), The Global Network of
People Living with HIV/AIDS, The International AIDS Society, The International Council of
AIDS Service Organizations, The International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS and
The Canton of Geneva. |
back to media page
