The XVII International AIDS Conference will, for the first time in its history provide hubs (centres) where selected sessions of the conference will be screened, either live or delayed, around the world and maybe followed by a moderated local discussion to see how the content of the session can be used locally. There will be one Official Hub in the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine of the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN), Durban, South Africa organized by AIDS 2008, the Society of AIDS in Africa (SAA) and UKZN.
Additionally, and this is probably the biggest news, Partner and Independent Hubs will be put together either by large international non-for-profit organizations or by local communities (schools, AIDS societies, faith-based organizations, etc.) or individuals. The conference organizers will not help these groups set up the hubs, but promote them through the official AIDS 2008 web site, providing technical guidelines and the feed (content) for free. The promotional video will give you more information on hubs.
A F.A.Q is now available! Click here to download it (pdf).
Everyone can organize a hub! Please click here to submit a hub.
Objectives
- Expand participation and facilitate access to conference content
A greater number of stakeholders could participate in the conference by attending the IAC through the conference hubs, especially in areas where the conference has not been held. Access will also be significantly cheaper.
- Generate local synergies and media interest
Holding the conference in multiple locations worldwide will generate local dynamics that would not be generated in Mexico, increase awareness, reduces stigma and provoke discussions about HIV and AIDS instead of ignoring it.
Local media will also be much keener to report on local events than “just another conference” happening on another continent.
- Expand the scope of the IAC, making it a truly global event
By arranging an Official Hub and allowing, encouraging and promoting Partner and Independent Hubs during the IAC, the conference would be held across the world. This innovative approach would thus increase the global scope of the conference.
- Link the regions to the IAC and vice versa
It is important to integrate regional issues into the conference programme, and ensure conference deliberations reach those in the regions. Hubs will be able to report their findings on the conference web site.
- Prepare for a possible capping of the next IAC
If the trend of increased delegate numbers for each conference continues, registrations will have to be capped. This plan diverts those not able to attend in person, to the hubs. Official Hub
The Official Hub is a “mini-conference” put together by the IAC, the University of KwaZulu Natal and the Society of AIDS in Africa. It will take place in Durban, at UKZN. Some sessions of the conference are screened and followed up by a moderated discussion about local issues and challenges, and the implications of the session’s topic.
Local rapporteurs will write about each local discussion and post it on the corresponding session page on the online programme-at-a-glance. At the end of the week, they can record a short video where they summarize what has been discussed locally that will be projected in Mexico.
Partner and Independent Hubs
These hubs are the 3rd level of the conference, after the conference itself and the Official Hub. They will be privately coordinated by organizations or people outside the conference secretariat. The conference secretariat will support them with technical guidelines and video feed and advertise their events, but will not take any responsibility or financial liability. They will also have much more freedom in the way they organize it. Some Independent Hubs, called Private Hubs, will be set up only for a targeted group of people and not be open to anyone from the outside; this specificity allows hubs to be organized in private places, such as schools, clubs or prisons.
The difference between Partner and Independent Hubs is:
- Partner Hubs are organized by partner organisations of the IAC (e.g. UNAIDS and its co-sponsors, the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization and others, World YWCA, ICASO, GNP+, ICW, AHRN, etc.). They must respect certain criteria (especially in duration and size).
- Independent Hubs are organized by any other organization or individual.
Example for an Independent Hub:
- National Institute for Public Health (NIPH) has a “conference room” (i.e. a computer connected to the internet in a large room and if possible, a projector).
- NIPH signs up on our web site and is listed as a provider of coverage.
- Local people who wish to attend, can either register online or simply attend some of the screenings.
- NIPH has access to an online tool to monitor the number and names of registered individuals.
All Hubs should be free of charge for the hub participants, but the hub organizers will have the right to cap attendance for security or practical reasons. They would also select the sessions they display, as well as how (direct or differed). They can sell refreshment, food or other products at reasonable prices.
We encourage all local communities, especially the ones with the most vulnerable populations and larger international organizations (e.g. local AIDS societies, faith-based organizations, prisons, gay communities, migrants and women’s communities and centres, schools, refugee camps, etc.) to broadcast selected sessions.
All hubs will need to be submitted online on the AIDS 2008 web site. Hubs attendees will be able to register online or directly at the hub, physically or by phone. Hubs organizers will have a web interface to manage their online presence, the attendance, announcements, etc.
Languages
We will try to make conference content available in as many languages as possible. If you need specific languages (French, Chinese, Russian, etc.), please specify it on the registration form.
If you are interested, want to be informed when more information is available or have any question, please contact
.
Please note that the Conference organizers will not fund any Independent Hubs.
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The hubs would not have been possible without the strong support of the conference official webcaster, kaisernetwork.org, a free online health policy news and information service provided by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
The main difference between the webcast and the hubs is that, while a webcast can be viewed comfortably from work or home at the time you choose, a hub will gather people from your community and allow for a more powerful local discussion.
The conference co-organizers are grateful to the World Bank Institute through its arm, the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) for organizing the Partner Hubs.
The Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) is a partnership of over 120 recognized global institutions, collaborating in the design of customized learning solutions for people working in development. For more information, visit www.gdln.org
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Conference Director’s Speech |
Conference Director’s speech at the Official Hub session selection workshop, held at UKZN, Durban South Africa, on 26 May 2008.
Read it here.
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