Don't leave Indigenous communities behind: Marama Pala closes IAS 2015

Marama Pala, IIWGHA CO-Chair,  at the closing of IAS 2015

AFAO's Ben Wilcock reports back from the closing of IAS 2015.

After summaries of the four main tracks of the conference were presented in the closing session of the #IAS2015 conference, the conference attendees had the honour of being present for an inspiring talk by Marama Pala, Co-Chair of the International Indigenous Working Group on HIV & AIDS (IIWGHA).

A Cure For All: 2nd International HIV/Viral Hepatitis Co-infection Meeting

AFAO Health Promotion Officer, Ben Wilcock, reports back on the 2nd International HIV/Viral Hepatitis Co-infection Meeting, held in Vancouver.

On Friday and Saturday (17-18 July), I was fortunate to be able to attend the 2nd International HIV/Viral Hepatitis Co-infection Meeting in Vancouver. It was an official event before the IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (#IAS2015).

There were a range of issues covered relating to HIV and viral hepatitis co-infections (both hepatitis B and C), with a particular focus on building momentum towards expanding hepatitis C treatment access globally for people co-infected with HIV and viral hepatitis, in the light of the new range of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatments for hepatitis C now available (though often not yet accessible) and in the pipeline. (See: #ACureForAll for more info).

IAS 2015: Reaching 90-90-90

AFAO Policy Analyst, Michael Frommer discusses day one of IAS 2015.

Questions about the best way to facilitate access to testing in order to reach the UNAIDS target of 90% of people with HIV diagnosed was a recurring theme in sessions on the first day of IAS 2015,  Vancouver.

Future directions of the IAS: share your views

IAS2015 at the Vancouver Convention Centre

The International AIDS Society (IAS) is engaging with stakeholders to help develop a new strategic plan.

During the IAS 2015 conference, the International AIDS Society has been holding a series of strategic planning consultations with members, as well as calling for input via an online Membership and Strategy Survey.

A key issue in the consultation for the new IAS 2016-2020 plan is what balance is struck between its three key missions; representing HIV professionals; convening the IAS conferences; and engaging in advocacy.  

IAS 2015: Disclosure and HIV criminalisation advocacy

Alison Symington, Canadian
HIV/AIDS Legal Network.

The 8th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (IAS 2015) is on in Vancouver, Canada, this week. AFAO Policy Analyst Michael Frommer reports back on the pre-conference community forum. 

Key human rights challenges, such as criminalisation of HIV transmission, were centre stage at the IAS community forum on Saturday 18 July.

Alison Symington, co-director of Research and Policy at the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network (Legal Network), described the challenge of advocacy and policy work in Canada in the face of ongoing criminalisation.

Support Don’t Punish Day of Action

There was resounding agreement that the 'War on Drugs' has failed at the AIVL/NUAA day of action celebrating the global movement Support Don’t Punish. 

L to R: Leah McLeod - NUAA, Peter Baume AC, Nicholas Stewart - Dowson Turco, Jude Byrne - AIVL, Will Tregoning - Unharm

Held at NSW Parliament on 26 June, the impressive range of speakers included ex federal Senator Peter Baume – renowned for the key role he played in fostering a constructive political response to HIV in the late 1980s, Jude Byrne from the Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL), Nicholas Stewart, a private legal practitioner and volunteer lawyer at Sydney’s Inner-City Legal Centre, and Will Tregoning from Unharm – a drug law reform advocacy organisation.