Activists at AIDS 2008 in Mexico. © AIDS 2008

Activism has always been an important part of the AIDS movement –and nowhere more so than at International AIDS Conferences.  Over the years, activists from around the world have raised their voices on issues such as universal access to treatment, insufficient funding for programmes and numerous human rights issues whether for women or people who use drugs to name just a few.

Through the tireless activism and advocacy of people living with HIV/AIDS, we now play a greater role in all aspects of the International Conferences.  As a result, for example, the Global Village and Community Programme Committees have become an integral part of each conference.

While the conference organizers fully support the role that activists play in raising awareness of community issues, the concept of activism has evolved over the past few conferences to ensure that no harm comes to individuals or property.  The conference values the rights of all attendees to peaceful freedom of expression.  These values are outlined in the Principle and Values of Conference Participation posted on the websites of the International AIDS Society and AIDS 2010.

In order to support community activists and advocates at the conference, AIDS 2010 has appointed Ron Rosenes, a long-standing activist from Canada as Community Activist Liaison. You may have met Ron in Sydney, Mexico City or Cape Town where he played this role. Ron is fluent in English, French and Russian and will be supported by Tim McCaskell of AIDS ACTION NOW! and Andy Velez of Act Up New York.

The Community Activist Liaison programme supports activism with on and off-site meeting space and resources for networking, making signs and printing flyers.  After a successful pilot in Cape Town, the programme plans to offer media training for community delegates who wish to take advantage of the Media Centre to get their message out to the widest possible audience.

For more information, contact Ron Rosenes