International AIDS Conferences: Keeping the Promise? ---------------------------------------------------- "Should I take part in the International AIDS Conference?" If the idea of the next International AIDS Conference on the horizon prompts you to ask this question, then this on-line discussion is in- tended for you: Intaids eForum structured discussion ­ 18 March to 31 July 2003 To join, send an e-mail to: join-intaids@healthdev.net -- It may be hard to believe, but the next International AIDS Conference (IAC) is only a little over a year away. The 15th IAC will be held in Bangkok in July 2004. Before we all get caught up in the detailed preparations again, we have an opportunity to reflect - to step back and examine the good and the bad memories of previous IACs, raise concerns, and determine strategies for addressing recurring themes related to the conference. This might include highlighting the conference objectives and achievements, organisation and impact, our own expectations and bene- fits of taking part, as well as the relevance and importance of the IACs to local/national HIV/AIDS programmes and responses. Over the coming weeks, the Intaids eForum is hosting a series of structured discussions on the design, value and impact of the IACs. The discussion will coincide with upcoming planning meetings that will determine the priorities and organisation of the Bangkok confer- ence in 2004. It will hopefully feed into decisions about the IAC2004 format, structure and content, and decisions about prioritisation and resource allocations among the various parts of the conference. The objective of this debate is to maximise the benefit and impact of future IACs. We aim to achieve this by: * Providing an opportunity and platform for the many views and con- cerns expressed around previous IACs, but which are then rapidly forgotten; * Informing decision-making around the Bangkok 2004 IAC with IAC par- ticipant perspectives; * Summarising and presenting the results of the HDN Durban/Barcelona IAC participant surveys; * Promoting transparency and accountability around organisation of the IACs; * Emphasising the importance of the community-related elements of the IACs; * Creating opportunities for the benefits of future IACs to be shared beyond those able to attend in person; * Encouraging a formal impact evaluation of future IACs. During the previous two IACs (Durban 2000 & Barcelona 2002), HDN car- ried out on-site participant surveys using anonymous questionnaires. Approximately 32% (3,188) and 11% (2,006) of participants completed these surveys at Durban & Barcelona respectively. The results reveal for the first time the profile of regional participation, organisa- tional/sectoral affiliations, and IAC participants': * main personal objectives and expectations for the conference; * views about the IAC programme balance; * perspectives on the cost of registration; and, * answers to an open question about their predicted priorities for the 2004 conference. As far as we are aware, these were the only systematic attempts to date to evaluate the IAC or to map the views of IAC participants and their satisfaction with what the conference offers to them. Based on an analysis and comparison of the survey results, and draw- ing on other relevant documents and interviews, the Intaids struc- tured discussions will begin on 18 March 2003. Specific articles and discussion on the topics outlined below will follow at 3 week inter- vals. Discussion topics and schedule From 18 March 2003: * An introduction ­ this will provide a brief historical overview of the IAC, particularly for people new to the IACs or the HIV/AIDS field. How did the conference develop since 1985 and what have been the major shifts in emphasis? How are the IAC structure, participa- tion and objectives changing as the epidemic unfolds? Includes a re- view of the role of the International AIDS Society's (IAS) - the con- venor and organiser of IACs. When did the differing opinions first surface about how to balance and integrate the 'biomedical science' and 'community' potential of the IAC. General reflection on what was good at Barcelona and what was not will be encouraged. 7 April: * Purpose and Objectives of the conferences. What are the IACs for? And what do they hope to achieve? Do the organisers and participants always agree? How does this fit with what the AIDS response requires today? Evaluating the impact of WACs. 28 April: * Too few, too many? Are the right people taking part? Who are the IACs for? Who do they really reach? Are scholarship programmes ade- quate? Still struggling for visas? How can Bangkok 2004 participation be optimised? 19 May: * IAC track structure and content. Who sets the agenda/priorities for the conference? How are the major tracks changing with time? Do par- ticipants agree with the resulting balance? What are the plans for 2004? 12 June: * Behind the scenes at the IAC. Who takes part in the planning com- mittees? How are presenters selected? How is the focus of the pro- gramme selected and who is arguing for your issues to be on the agenda? What are the priority topics or questions for Bangkok 2004? 30 June: * Resource allocation within the IAC. How is your registration fee calculated and spent? Where else does the money come from? Resources required for various conference elements. Cost-benefit ­ are the IACs a good investment? 21 July: * Distribution of concluding summary document. Including: synthesis of discussions, full results of Durban/Barcelona survey results and "Making the most of the 2004 IAC: New suggestions for working to- gether and networking around the conference". Throughout the discussions, Intaids eForum members are encouraged to actively contribute to this discussion and to help interpret the re- sults of the Durban/Barcelona surveys. If you are already a member of the Intaids eForum, DO NOTHING, you shall receive the postings automatically. If you are not a member of Intaids, you can join NOW by sending an e- mail to: mailto:join-intaids@healthdev.net The Intaids eForum is provided free of charge to users, and there are currently around 4,100 Intaids members worldwide. If you have an issue or topic that you feel we are missing from the planned discussion themes, please send a short email to: mailto:info@hdnet.org and we shall do what we can to make sure it is included. HDN Moderation Team mailto:info@hdnet.org http://www.hdnet.org