The Third EQUINET Regional Conference on Equity in Health in east and southern Africa will be held at Speke Conference Centre, Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda September 23-25, 2009. We look forward to welcoming people from government, non-state organisations, academic and research institutions, civil society, parliaments, regional and international organisations and other institutions promoting and working on equity in health in east and southern Africa! The conference theme is 'Reclaiming the Resources for Health: Building Universal People Centred Health Systems in East and Southern Africa' highlights the opportunities we seek to highlight for improving health equity in east and southern Africa: - for poor people to claim a fairer share of national resources for their health; - for a more just return for ESA countries from the global economy to increase the resources for health; and - for a larger share of global and national resources to be invested in redistributive health systems. This is a unique opportunity to hear original work and debate on the determinants and forces that are driving or impeding equity in health in east and southern Africa, including those at global level. The conference will hear from people working in state and non government institutions, and from academia, civil society and parliaments. This conference will organise presentation and active discussion and review of a wealth of diverse experience and knowledge to share strategies, experiences and policies for building universal people centred health systems, based on values of fairness and justice. We will have plenary and workshop/ parallel sessions on: - Health equity in east and southern Africa - Protecting health in economic and trade policy - Building universal, primary health care oriented health systems - Equitable, health systems strengthening responses to HIV and AIDS - Fair financing of health systems, and reclaiming financial resources for public sector health services - Valuing and retaining health workers - Organising participatory, people centred health systems - Social empowerment and action for health - Understanding and managing equity oriented policy development and implementation - Country experiences of advocacy and promotion of equity in health - Monitoring progress through country and regional equity watches We will also have a range of activities associated with the conference, displays, an essay/art competition, photography; skills meetings and theatre. We look forward to welcoming people from government, non-state organisations, academic and research institutions, civil society, parliaments, regional and international organisations and other institutions promoting and working on equity in health in east and southern Africa! The abstract and registration forms can be found at http://www.equinetafrica.org/meetings.php. Abstract submission opens on July 30 2008 and closes on January 30 2009. Early submission is urged! Notification on accepted abstracts will be provided by March 16 2009. Registration opens on July 30 2008. Early registration at lower cost closes on January 30 2009 and email / online registration closes on June 30 2009. Early registration is urged! To find out further information, give suggestions, register interest and put your name on the mailing list for the conference, please contact the EQUINET secretariat, TARSC, email admin@equinetafrica.org, with EQUINET CONFERENCE in the subject line or visit http://www.equinetafrica.org/meetings.php. This is the fourth such conference in the region since 1997, and the third EQUINET Regional conference (read the report of our last conference at http://www.equinetafrica.org/bibl/docs/REP062004equity.pdf ). This year the EQUINET steering committee is happy to hold the conference in east Africa, in Uganda, in co-operation with a local organizing committee involving HEPS Uganda, Makerere University and Ministry of Health Uganda. Pre and post conference skills and theme workshops will be organised through the Conference Scientific Committee. Workshops are anticipated to be one day or half day sessions and to include about 30 people. Proposals to convene and organize workshops can be made to the Scientific Committee by emailing admin@equinetafrica.org before September 15 2009. Accepted workshops will be listed in the second announcement sent in October 2008. CONFERENCE SUBMISSIONS, ABSTRACTS Abstract submission opens on July 30 2008 and all abstracts must be submitted on or before January 30 2009 Abstracts are invited within the major conference themes shown overleaf. The theme sessions will be 2-3 hours in length and interactive in nature. Presenters may be asked to present verbally, using Power-oint, or using a visual presentation of a paper using charts, photos, drawings and/or text mounted on a poster board. The sessions will include brief summary presentations of the accepted abstracts on the theme and aim to give adequate time for full facilitated discussions of work and the issues raised. Feedback on abstract selection will be given by March 16 2009, and relevant workshop/ session convenors will communicate directly thereafter with presenters of accepted abstracts on their sessions. The Abstract submission form and registration form can be downloaded at http://www.equinetafrica.org/meetings.php or obtained from admin@equinetafrica.org. Abstracts are a maximum of 400 words and typed at MS Word documents in Arial 11pt font. The title should be no more than 50 characters including punctuation, but long enough to identify the nature of the study. Ensure the abstract provides information on the findings. Abstract and registration forms can be submitted online after July 30 2008 or via email to admin@equinetafrica.org and copy to rene@tarsc.org. Accepted abstracts will appear in print in a bound abstract book distributed at the conference, and may also be posted on the conference web site. REGISTRATION Registration opens on July 30 2008. Early registration closes on January 30 2009 and online/ email registration on June 30 2009. Country of residence / category Before January 30 2009 February 1 – June 30 2009 East and southern Africa US $100 US $150 Other medium / low income country US $150 US $200 High income country/International organisation US $250 US $300 Student US $100 US $150 You are welcome to the conference even if you are not submitting an abstract! Registration forms can be submitted online after July 30 2008 or via email to admin@equinetafrica.org and copy to rebecca@tarsc.org. Registration fees are shown below. EQUINET has limited funds for full or part sponsorship of selected delegates, speakers etc. Accommodation can be booked directly at the conference venue. You will receive a confirmation e-mail when we get your abstract or registration form. If you don’t receive a confirmation, we have not received it and please send it again! Please visit the conference website at http://www.equinetafrica.org/meetings.php for further information!