The XV11 International AIDS Conference will be held at Centro Banamex in Mexico City from the 3rd to the 8th of August 2008. The theme for the conference is Universal Access Now. The theme emphasises the need for continued urgency in the worldwide response to HIV and AIDS and for action on the part of all stakeholders.

The conference is a major event that provides a unique forum in which key scientific and practice-based research, best practice, lessons learned and gaps in knowledge are addressed.
It also provides a platform for the community and leadership to interact, strengthen an evidence-based policy and programmatic response to the epidemic as well as to provide an opportunity to intensify political and financial commitments to HIV and AIDS.
Issues for the media :-

• The conference will draw about 25 000 participants from across the globe including many world renowned leaders and experts in the field of HIV and AIDS. This presents an opportunity for the media to gather, impart and share experiences, research and lessons from various stakeholders.

• There are a number of marches and events that will take place before and during the conference. Some of the marches taking place include 1st International march against stigma, discrimination and homophobia, Universal AIDS Action Now/ Testing - Prevention - Treatment march and rally, AIDS ride 2008, Toronto to Mexico City, march and rally for human rights and HIV and AIDS: Now more than ever. The media can highlight to their various audiences, the significance of these events.

• A number of organisations will be hosting events that you can look out for during the conference. For example, SAfAIDS will be launching its Regional Children's Antiretroviral Therapy Toolkit for Children and communities, skills building session on ‘Promoting Treatment Literacy for Children Within the Circle of Care’   and SAfAIDS skills Building session on ‘Engaging Communities in Dialogue to Address Culture, GBV, HIV and AIDS’

• The media have a special role to inform the public and make them aware of the continued impact and global response to HIV and AIDS through enhanced media coverage.

Sources

1. www.aids2008.org

2. www.aidshealth.org

3. www.aidsride2008.org

4. www.marchagainsthomophobia.org

5. www.soros.org/marchforhumanrights