Road To Vienna
Amidst great fanfare and the energetic performances from the region’s youth, leaders from around the Caribbean witnessed the official Caribbean launch of AIDS2010 at the V Centario Intercontinental Hotel in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on 9 October, 2009.
  Youth from Yur World performing different acts at the opening of the Caribbean activites for Vienna 2010
Dr. Marcus Day the Co Chair of the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) and Coordinator of the Caribbean Harm Reduction Coalition (CHRC) declared the campaign open by underscoring that the Caribbean region had a wealth of experience and best practices that we needed to take to the wider world. “The AIDS conference presents a brilliant opportunity for us to showcase the work that the Caribbean does in addressing the issues of vulnerable population in a less then ideal political and social environment” he said.
 Dr. Marcus Day declares the Caribbean activities for Vienna 2010 open.
His point was reinforced by the Dominican Republic Youth network Yur World whose member’s shared vibrant HIV care and prevention pieces through drama, song and dance. “Our experiences at the last International AIDS Conference in Mexico was an eye opener for us said Elias Ramos, Coordinator of the group. “We were able to interface with other youth networks and came away with ideas about improving ours. Since then we have worked hard to build up the network and so today we have members throughout the nation”.
Members of the audience who hailed from 18 Caribbean countries and territories shared their own experiences of being involved in the past Conference. For Miriam Edwards, Co-Chair of the Caribbean Sex Worker Coalition (CSWC), “Mexico helped to place CSWC on the international arena. The Caribbean delegation met with other sex workers from across the world, learned new strategies and enlisted in other sex work networks”
 Both Daryl Phillip (l) of Dominica and Miriam Edwards of Guyana (r) gave testimony of the impact of the AIDS Conference in Mexico on their work.
Mario Klenimodig of Curaçao related his experience of being able to present on the vexing issues relating to men who have sex with men in the Caribbean. “It was amazing how many persons came up to me afterwards and said they had no clue before my presentation about the issues faced by the region’s same gender loving people”.
Joan Didier of Saint Lucia’s AIDS Action Foundation underscored the fact that even if persons do not get to physically attend the Conference, “we should ensure that our work gets represented on this world stage. Therefore please do submit abstracts even if you cannot or will not attend”
 Joan Didier of AIDS Action Foundation is emphatic that Caribbean participation on Vienna 2010 be increased
Audience members sought and got clarification about immigration matters relating to travel to Vienna and insisted that “Dr. Day makes it known to the organizers that it is not an easy task for Caribbean people to obtain visas to go into Europe and as a consequence of that, our prospects of full participation can be severely hampered” stated CVC’s Dr Robert Carr.
In preparation for the Conference, the model being used in Jamaica was detailed by Ian McKnight incoming Executive Director of the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities in which through peer-support strategy, members of civil society organization who felt some what intimidate by the process would be assisted to collate their data and write abstracts for submission to the Conference.
The launch was followed by a reception in the hotel ballroom and dance and dramatic performances by the Dominican Republic youth network “Yur World”.
 Members of the audience pay keen attention to the presentations.
Kingston to Vienna
Jamaican Civil Society organizations embarked on a strategy to increase Caribbean submissions to the International AIDS Conference to be held in Vienna 2010.
In Kingston, two such workshops were held during which members strategized and hammered out abstracts for the Conference.
Co Facilitated by Ivan Cruickshank, who himself presented abstracts at International AIDS Conferences in Toronto, the last such session saw over 15 CSOs represented.
 Ivan Cruickshank engages members of civil society.
They hailed from groups that work with persons living with HIV, women, inner-city youth, faith based groups, members of the gay, lesbian and transgender communities, substance users.
  Patricia Watson (left) and Dane Lewis (right) have both presented abstracts at International AIDS Conferences in the past and shared her experience.
  Stacy Ann Jarrett (left) and Ionie Whorms (right) are both embarking on writing abstracts for the first time.
The XVIII International AIDs Conference will be held in Vienna Austria July 18-23, 2010 under the theme “Rights here, Right Now”. For more information visit: AIDS 2010
AIDS 2010 Activities
Visa Requirements for Austria
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