IAC Vienna 2010
Rights Here, Right Now: the XVIII International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2010)
Text reproduced by kind permision of World YWCA.
Vienna, Austria will host the XVIII International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2010), the largest international meeting on HIV and AIDS, which will be held from July 18 - 23, 2010.
AIDS 2010 Theme
The AIDS 2010 conference theme, Rights Here, Right Now emphasises the central importance of protecting and promoting human rights as a prerequisite to a successful response to HIV. The right to dignity and self-determination for key affected populations, to equal access to health care and life-saving prevention and treatment programmes, and the right to interventions based on evidence rather than ideology, are all incorporated in this urgent demand for action.
Rights Here, Right Now emphasises that concrete human rights measures need to be in place to protect those most vulnerable to and affected by HIV, especially women and girls, people who use drugs, migrants, prisoners, sex workers, men who have sex with men, and transgender persons.
Rights Here, Right Now also emphasises the location of the conference in Vienna, chosen in part for its proximity to Eastern Europe and Central Asia – a region experiencing one of the fastest growing epidemics that is fuelled primarily by injecting drug use. It also underscores this critical moment in time for the global epidemic – with the 2010 deadline that world leaders set for providing universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support on the immediate horizon. Rights Here, Right Now is a call for leadership, accountability and action.
The AIDS 2010 programme will present new scientific knowledge and offer many opportunities for structured dialogue on the major issues facing the global response to HIV. A variety of session types – from abstract-driven presentations to symposia, bridging sessions and plenaries – will meet the needs of various participants. Other related activities, including the Global Village, satellite meetings, exhibitions and affiliated events, will contribute to an exceptional opportunity for professional development and networking.
Submitting an abstract
As of November 1, abstracts for the conference can be submitted online through the AIDS 2010 website. An abstract is a short document with complete information of a study / project / work / programme and key message(s) for the future. The abstract presents the objective, methods, results, and conclusions of a programme. The objective of an abstract is to give the reviewing committee an idea of a programme in 300 words. Abstract submissions will be scored by an international panel of reviewers and ultimately selected by members of the AIDS 2010 Scientific Programme and Track Committees.
Abstracts can be submitted within the following six programme tracks:
Track A: Basic Science
Track B: Clinical Sciences
Track C: Epidemiology and Prevention Sciences
Track D: Social and Behavioural Sciences
Track E: Economics, Operations Research, Care and Health Systems
Track F: Policy, Law, Human Rights and Political Science
Online abstract submission closes on February 10, 2010.
More information on the scope and objectives for each of the tracks is available on the AIDS 2010 website.
Satellites and the Global Village
In addition to the conference sessions, the AIDS 2010 programme includes satellite sessions, exhibitions as well as access to affiliated events. Satellite sessions will take place in the conference centre but are fully organised and coordinated by the organisation hosting the satellite (private company, government agency, institution or Non Governemental Organisations).
Applications for satellite meetings open on December 1, 2009 and close on March 31, 2010
The Global Village is an exciting and important space in the conference programme offering opportunities to organise events ahd showcase and provide materials to delegates through exhibition booths and displays. The Global Village is also open to the public providing an area for interaction and learning. With more than 20,000 delegates expected, exhibitions and Global Village can reach a broad cross-section of key stakeholders in the AIDS response. Examples of activities include sessions, forums, oral presentations and awards, networking zones, NGO exhibition booths, marketplace booths, art exhibits, film screenings and performing arts.
Applications for Global Village open on December 1, 2009 and close on February 10, 2010.
More information about satellite sessions and the Global Village is available on AIDS 2010 website.
Youth Programme
The Youth Programme aims to strengthen the participation and profile of young people between the ages of 16 to 26 in the conference through activities such as a youth pavilion, youth-driven sessions, an electronic youth bulletin, the youth opening and reception, and a high-level youth leadership forum.
Youth Programme submissions open on December 1, 2009 and close on February 10, 2010.
More information about Youth Programme is available on AIDS 2010 website.
International Scholarship Programme
The Conference Coordinating Committee is committed to making AIDS 2010 accessible to people from resource-limited settings, young scientists globally, community activists and civil society representatives. The International Scholarship Programme is open to everyone around the world.
Scholarship applications open on December 8, 2009 and close on February 10, 2010.
More information about the International Scholarship Programme is available on the AIDS 2010 website.
For more information, visit the AIDS 2010 website on : http://www.aids2010.org/