Networking Zones gather people working on the same issue or region together in in the Global Village. It can be a place for displays, activities, presentations and place to network. Each zone has an NGO, network of organizations or group of individuals “hosting” the networking zone. This involves forming a coalition of people involved in the issue willing to plan the zone, build it, staff it during the conference and take it down after the conference.
How to apply
To submit a proposal for a networking zone you must use the use the Programme Activities application form used for Global Village Sessions, NGO and Marketplace Booths, Cultural and Youth Activities.
Read through the instructions carefully and make sure you follow them. If you have questions, use the contact details provided with the application to direct your questions.
To apply you must first create a conference profile.
Tips
Look at the AIDS 2008 Programme Activities Guide to see what sort of Networking Zones were at the Mexico conference, and who hosted them.
Try to organize a broad-based coalition of people and organizations working on the same issue, population or region. For issue-based Networking Zones make sure you link with Austrian or European groups involved in the same issue. Even some regional-based networks may be able to link with people from that region now living in Austria. The broader the coalition planning the Networking Zone the better.
Identify a person (or persons) to act as Networking Zone Coordinator. If your proposal is accepted the Global Village staff will organize a series of teleconferences among the different people and organizations involved to plan the Networking Zone.
If similar applications come in from different groups working on the same issue, The Global Village staff may pair you up. Be as creative and interactive as possible but recognize that the budget the conference gives you, if any, will be limited. Start fundraising for the Conference now. If there is money provided for each Networking Zone, it will not pay for travel to the conference.
Remember that the audience in the Global Village will be conference delegates and the general public.
People organizing the Networking Zone will need to come a few days before the conference to build and set up the Zone, working with relevant people from the convention centre.
Think about submitting a joint application with other/another group(s). Joint applications are stronger and show how communities can work together.
Plan your application well in advance of sending it. The sooner you send it in the better. Sometimes it is difficult to link to the online application form in the last 48 hours before the deadline. Don’t t leave your application until the last minute.
It is useful to include supporting documents/pictures or examples of your work on the web.
Dates to remember
1 December, 2009: Networking Zone (Programme Activities) Submissions open
10 February 2010: Networking Zone (Programme Activities) Submissions close
Contact information: globalvillage@aids2010.org