PHA-Exchange> PHM media coverage: People's Charter on HIV/Aids --- INTL AIDS conference (The Nation- Bangkok 02 July)

[UNNIKRISHNAN P.V. (Dr)]

THE NATION, Bangkok (02 July 2004)

...........Aids in Asia will be a highlight topic of the conference as many countries in the region, especially densely populated China, India and the Mekong sub-region are under growing threat, but the topic is insufficiently discussed. The Asian People's Charter on HIV/Aids is expected to be announced....... 

XV INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE: Look who's coming to town 

Published on Jul 2, 2004 


The upcoming International Aids Conference will be the biggest such meeting ever held in Thailand, bringing together 

The grandest and liveliest conference with the most diverse group of participants to ever gather in Thailand will kick off on Sunday, July 11. The 15th International Aids Conference will shake off the boring image usually associated with such meetings, where specialists in grey suits sit stiffly discussing serious topics in technical jargon. 

There will be no such staidness this time. There won't even be any official delegations, says the conference organiser, the International Aids Society (IAS). Some 15,000-20,000 participants including international figures such as UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, Princess Mabel from the Netherlands and actor Richard Gere, for example, will all come as individuals who want to show their commitment to combating HIV/Aids. 

And in the evening they could be spotted sipping cocktails being handed out free of charge to visitors to the commercial sex workers' lounges in the Global Village section at the Impact Convention Centre, Muang Thong Thani. 

The largest-ever Aids meeting and the first of its kind in Asia carries the theme "Access for All". Like many diseases, the root causes of the spread of Aids are the lack of knowledge, poverty and perhaps desperation. The theme, therefore, underlines the need for everyone to have access to education, information, prevention and treatment. 

Yet, "Access for All" ironically reflects the very lack of the availability of these things. Coalitions of people living with HIV/Aids, academics and activists in many developing countries including Thailand have fought an uphill battle for years against drug patents held by multinational pharmaceutical firms. Stigmatisation and discrimination are still rampant as a result of insufficient public education. 

That's probably why, for the first time, the social and community issues will become one of the three major concerns of the conference (the other two are science and leadership). At the Global Village, some 5,000 infected and affected people, including children, youths and the elderly, commercial sex workers, members of gay and lesbian groups, activists, ethnic minorities, and migrant workers from all over the world, will share their stories, conduct activities and learn from one another. 

And perhaps, the 7,500 square metres of the Global Village will be the only part of the meeting that lives up to the conference theme of "Access for All" as participants do not have to pay the US$1,000 (Bt40,000) registration fee required by the meeting organisers. It will also be the most vibrant section of the one-week-long conference, as different groups of participants will take part in a range of diverse activities. The section is also open to members of the public. 

"We want it to be a borderless community," says Sangsiri Teemanka, the co-ordinator of the Global Village. "While scientists discuss their studies in the meeting halls, we want people who're really working in the field to meet and have their own space to express themselves and build networks for the future." 

One area that will probably draw a lot of attention is the nightlife lounge where sex workers will demonstrate their real working lives including the staging of a-go go dances. Artists will perform live. There will also be a community market for health foods, herbs and traditional massage and a medicine, spiritual and mental health centre, as well as a centre for networking and advocacy. Community radio broadcasts will keep everybody updated with the latest discussion topics inside the meeting halls and allow participants to voice their opinions. Receivers cost Bt120 apiece and can be kept as a conference souvenir. They will be in part broadcast by stations of the Public Relations Department, Sangsiri said. 

Another highlight of the community programme will be a public rally of the community groups that will march along Silom Road to Lumpini Park on Wednesday, July 14. The march will give the thousands of people who are expected to participate in this colourful event the chance to convey their campaign messages to the public. 

Of course, the fun events are only one element of the conference. In the Science Forum, the latest scientific discoveries in the drive to better understand and fight the pandemic will be presented. These will include reports on some of the first results of the new vaccine trials. Socio-economic issues will also be discussed. According to organiser IAS, more than 10,000 abstracts of scientific studies were submitted but only 400 were selected for oral presentation. 

Aids in Asia will be a highlight topic of the conference as many countries in the region, especially densely populated China, India and the Mekong sub-region are under growing threat, but the topic is insufficiently discussed. The Asian People's Charter on HIV/Aids is expected to be announced. 

Encouragingly, the leadership programme is not being limited to only government and political levels, but will include the participation of multilateral and international institutions, NGOs, people living with HIV/Aids, religious leaders, media groups and those from the business to entertainment fields. The programme will emphasise the role of strong leadership and the need for a greater commitment to the fight against the pandemic. 

More than 100 satellite meetings on different issues will be held as well as skills-training programmes to help people live with the disease and better understand it. 

Last but not least, why is the event being held in Thailand? 

Thailand's attempts to prevent and control the epidemic have been internationally hailed as a success story. 

And the "three elephants" logo, as the symbol of Thailand, will reflect Thai hospitality as well as symbolise the need for all groups in various sectors, communities and families to join forces in the fight against HIV/Aids. 

Nantiya Tangwisutijit 

THE NATION 

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