AIDS 2010 Pre-Conference Announcement: International Indigenous Working Group on HIV/AIDS (IIWGHA), Vienna, Austria, July 17th 2010
A meeting for Indigenous peoples has been scheduled to coincide with the AIDS 2010 conference in Vienna this summer. The main goals of the meeting are to provide networking opportunities for Indigenous peoples, HIV/AIDS professionals and researchers, and to generate discussion about future initiatives in the International Indigenous HIV/AIDS movement. A number of topics have been identified as important to the International Indigenous Working Group on HIV/AIDS more information on these topics will be provided shortly. The IIWGHA welcomes other suggestions from the Indigenous and HIV/AIDS community at large.The pre-conference will be held on July 17th, 2010 at The Imperial Riding School Hotel in Vienna. Further details can be found on the CAAN (Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network) website: www.caan.ca
If you are interested in attending or presenting at this pre-conference, please contact Troy Myers at troym@caan.ca. A final meeting program will be distributed to interested individuals in early July. After this pre-conference half-day strategic planning sessions for the IIWGHA will be arranged during AIDS 2010 – for more information on these sessions please contact Troy Myers.
International Indigenous Working Group on HIV/AIDS
It is important to note that many Indigenous and Aboriginal People throughout the world continue to fall behind in receiving universal access to prevention, care, treatment and support; a goal set by world leaders for 2010. HIV/AIDS is disproportionately distributed across global populations, as it hits hardest in areas where structural, economic, and development challenges are greatest and it is especially evident within the Indigenous populations.
International Indigenous and Aboriginal Leaders Gather to Discuss HIV/AIDS Issues (Vancouver, BC Oct 30th, 2009)
The 5th International Policy Dialogue on HIV/AIDS and Indigenous Persons held in Ottawa was attended by Indigenous Peoples from New Zealand, Chile, Australia, Guatemala, United States, Brazil and Canada; the delegates overwhelmingly supported the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network to lead the International Indigenous HIV/AIDS Working Group.
Objectives of the IIWGHA:
1) increase the integration of HIV/AIDS and Indigenous peoples at the International level;
2) improve meaningful inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in research policy and program development;
3) ensure Indigenous Peoples are more accurately represented in HIV/AIDS epidemiological data;
4) increase support for capacity development to integrate HIV/AIDS and Indigenous Peoples;
5) Develop an Indigenous specific approach to the social determinants of health; and
6) ensure that Indigenous and Aboriginal HIV/AIDS issues are presented at the International Conference on HIV/AIDS in Vienna and beyond.
“The 5th International Policy Dialogue on HIV/AIDS and Indigenous Persons has provided an opportunity to support Indigenous Peoples in the knowledge exchange of cultural projects and programs in Aboriginal communities in Canada. We take pride in taking a leadership role in this initiative” – Ken Clement CEO of the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network.
For more information please contact:
Troy Myers
International Indigenous Relations Manager
Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network
6520 Salish Drive, Vancouver BC, V6N 2C7 Ph: (604)266-7616 Fax: (604)266-7612 Toll Free: 1.888.285.2226
troym@caan.ca
