"As Africans we cannot and should not allow AIDS to continue causing havoc among us as if we are completely helpless. We should take the challenge ahead of us very seriously. I congratulate the organizers of this seminar for coming up with a very appropriate seminar theme; indeed I could not agree with them more "Time for action is now", said the Minister The Regional Chairperson Mme. Tamaro Toure in her opening remarks reiterated IPPFAR's vision of ensuring improved quality of life for Africans,particularly young people who are mostly affected by HIV/AIDS, "HIV/AIDS should be our priority at regional and FPA level. At country level FPAs should be visible in contributing to national efforts in the area of prevention and care using gender and rights based approaches. We need actions now not mere words, plans and strategies" Prof, Sai, former IPPF President, moderating the Plenary session on 'HIV/AIDS situation, trends and challenges', challenged IPPFAR to play a catalytic role at national level and to do more advocacy work to ensure that there is full political commitment by national governments in fighting HIV/AIDS. UNAIDS Country Team Leaders from East/Southern Region spoke on trends of HIV/AIDS in their respective Sub regions and highlighted some of the interventions that have been found to work - especially in Uganda, Zambia, and Senegal which have managed to slow down the HIV Infection rate, especially among young people. They particularly recognized and appreciated IPPFAR's action oriented approach to addressing HIV/AIDS and expressed their continued commitment to collaborating with IPPFAR. Dr, Pram Senanayake, IPPF Central Office, presented IPPF policies, programme directions and challenges for IPPF in addressing HIV/AIDS. She introduced the new HIV/AIDS policy and the Advocacy guide, challenging FPAs to take leadership in some of the strategies. The seminar Action plan was unanimously adopted, and a Special task force established to follow up the implementation of the Action Plan. Among the recommendations was the challenge to FPAs to strengthen their partnerships with networks and agencies that focus on youth, women and people living with AIDS. "We cannot do everything and knowing how complex HIV/AIDS interventions are, we need to be focussed and utilize the existing structures and net works", said Dr Timothy Gatara, who was representing the Ag. Regional Director. A young woman living with AIDS brought tears to the eyes of the 150 delegates representing 44 countries when she narrated her reactions, tribulations and experiences in living with HIV/AIDS: AIDS calls for urgency not panic AIDS calls for Compassion not Blame AIDS calls for understanding not ignorance Give us (PLWA) compassion and hope to live Give us hope for the cure Give us hope for justice and fairness ( By Asuntawagura@hotmail.com) SOURCE: IPPF Africa Region, 12 July 2001 email: info@ippfaro.org