About the Conference

AIDS 2008 will provide many opportunities for the presentation of important new scientific research and for productive, structured dialogue on the major challenges facing the global response to AIDS. Conference organizers are developing a wide variety of session types that meet the needs of various participants and support collective efforts to expand delivery of HIV prevention and treatment to communities worldwide. Central to many of these sessions will be the transfer of knowledge and sharing of best practices.

In addition to the conference sessions there are a number of activities, including satellite meetings, exhibitions, the Global Village and the Cultural Programme, that are integral to delegates’ experience at the conference.

The International AIDS Society is pleased to announce that the AIDS 2008 programme is accredited for 28 credits by the European Union of Medical Specialists-European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (UEMS-EACCME). The UEMS-EACCME, through an agreement with the American Medical Association (AMA), guarantees a transfer of CME credits for participants working and practicing in the United States.

As in accordance with their statutes, the UEMS-EACCME guarantees that all accredited CME activities at AIDS 2008 are of a high educational standard and that that they are free of all commercial or individual forms of bias. Delegates should claim credits only for sessions actually attended. A CME booth will be set up at the conference venue where certificates of CME credit can be obtained by medical professionals seeking them.

1. Provide a forum in which key scientific and practice-based research, best practice, lessons learned and gaps in knowledge are addressed
    
2. Present strong evidence to influence leaders, including key policy makers and donors, to increase their commitment to HIV and AIDS prevention, care and treatment, undertake responsible action and be more accountable.
    
3. Increase understanding of the contribution made by the HIV global response to broader social, economic and health issues.
    
4. Maximize opportunities for the participation in conference and programme planning of those engaged in evidence-based responses – scientists, PLWHA, members of marginalized communities especially those most vulnerable to HIV, including women, girls, and young people.
    
5. Promote strategies that will reduce stigmatization and discrimination of PLWHAs and those working professionally across the response to HIV and AIDS.
    
6. Reach a wider audience through the webcasting of conference proceedings to regional sub-conferences/meetings and through the availability of conference sessions online.
    
7. Improve public awareness of the continued impact of and global response to HIV and AIDS through enhanced media coverage.

• key research findings, lessons learned, and gaps in knowledge, and best practice are acknowledged and shared;
   
• successes and shortfalls in the overall response to HIV and AIDS are highlighted;
   
• priorities for future action are identified;
   
• ongoing, productive and forthright dialogue is nurtured before, during and after the conference, both onsite and virtually though networking, webcasting and other strategies
   
• new or changed leadership are called on to share their priorities and plans.

• Health systems strengthening, service models, integration with TB, SRH, co-infections, maternal health, long-term care, mental health, palliative care, drug resistance, harm reduction, primary health care, hepatitis C, etc.
   
• Specific regional issues e.g. stigma; setting regional policy agendas; using what is gained and expanding to other regions (south-south)
   
• Synergy of treatment and prevention; treatment as a tool for prevention (reducing viral load and infectivity)
   
• Respect and promotion of human rights and gender equality as a framework for all aspects of the response.