CAN attended the the 2012 International AIDS Conference (IAC) between 22nd-27th July in Washington DC. The IAC occurs every two years and brings together thousands of people working in the HIV and AIDS field. The conference theme, “Turning the Tide Together”, reflects a unique moment in time, emphasizing that the HIV epidemic has reached a defining moment. By acting decisively on recent scientific advances in HIV treatment and biomedical prevention, the momentum for a cure, and the continuing evidence of the ability to scale-up key interventions in the most-needed settings, we now have the potential to end the HIV epidemic.

The Caregivers Action Network, the Worldwide Palliative Care Association and the UK Consortium on AIDS and International Development convened a number of jooint events and activties at the conference:

  • On the request of the International AIDS Society we  produced the official care and support roadmap for the conference – providing an at-a-glance reference of all related sessions and events during the conference. Download the Roadmap 
  • Organised the Caregivers Networking Zone in the Global Village. Read the programme of events.
  • Convened daily Caregivers Caucuses.
  • Feature a caregiver’s gallery – the Who Cares? I Care! Gallery  to provided a visible presence for caregivers at the conference.

 

                                    

The Netwroking Zone

The Caregivers Zone, situated in the Global Village, was jointly organised by The Caregivers Action Network and the UK Consortium on AIDS and International Development. The Caregivers Zone provided a platform for the co-hosts collective memberships of close to 1000 organisations and individuals to advocate for increased focus on care and support and the contribution of caregivers.

 

Objectives

The objectives of the Networking Zone were to:

  • Share experiences and build skills on caregiving, care and support and social protection
  • Explore linkages between care and support, prevention and treatment and the role of care and support in a comprehensive HIV response
  • Demonstrate caregivers contribution to achieving HIV and broader development goals
  • Highlight how caregivers must be supported and included in the HIV response
  • Provide a space for caregivers and those working on care and support to meet, organise and plan advocacy

 

The programme of events in the Caregivers Networking Zone

Download the Caregivers Networking Zone Programme

 

Faith Zone

The Zone area was jointly shared with the Faith Zone – find out more about the Faith Zone programme here. In addition to the seperate activties, there were joint sessions which focused specifically on caregivers and faith, such as the joint panel which took place on Tuesday July 24th looking at the interplay of care and support and faith.  

 

International AIDS Conference Resources

Caregivers Networking Zone Programme

The Caregivers Networking Zone Programme for the International AIDS Conference lists the sessions which took place at the Caregivers Zone.

Download the Programme

 

 

Caregivers Action Network Messages

As part of its advocacy campaign at the XIX International AIDS Conference, CAN used the messages in the file below to ensure that the voices and priorities of home-based caregivers were clearly represented during the proceedings.

Download the Messages document

 

 

Observations from Cordaid Delegation

Download the Observations document