Media [International Conference on AIDS (11th: 1996: Vancouver, Canada)]

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Vancouver Vancouver
Juy 7 1, 99(- 7 CI 1 jIleot 1996

ROLE OF COMMUNITY GROUPS CONTRIBUTE TO SUCCESS OF
XI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AIDS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VANCOUVER (July 7, 1996) - The successful outcome of the Xl International Conference on AIDS will be achieved, in
large measure, due to the commitment, dedication and support provided by HIV/AIDS community groups and support
organisations, members of the Organising Committee said today.
"When we were awarded the XI International AIDS Conference in 1993 my colleagues on the Organising Committee
and I resolved to achieve a level of participation from HIV/AIDS community groups that would eclipse anything seen at
previous International AIDS Conferences;" said Dr. Martin Schechter, on behalf of Organising Committee members Drs.
Michael Rekart, Michael O'Shaughnessy and Julio Montaner.
"I am delighted to report that the support we have received from these groups and associated organisations has surpassed even our own optimistic projections."
He cited several examples of the community's contributions, including:
* the active role of the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) and and the International
Council of AIDS Service Organisations (ICASO) as official Supporting Organisations to the XI International
Conference on AIDS;
* community representation on all eight advisory committees to the Organising Committee of the Xl
International Conference on AIDS including, in some cases, majority representation;
* the key organising role of the Community Liaison Department of the Conference Secretariat and of
the Vancouver HIV/AIDS community in the planning and preparations for the Robson Square Public
Forums - public events that will allow delegates and non-delegates alike to participate in off-site
Conference activities and the program of the Conference's Cultural Society;
* the organisation of the July 5-6 Community Forum at the University of British Columbia which drew
500 persons living with HIV/AIDS and community workers from all five global regions for two days of
community networking, strategy-building and skills development;
* the community's highly-successful Conference Education Program designed to sensitise more than 5,000
police, hospitality and transportation workers in Vancouver to issues of HIV/AIDS in advance of the
start of the Conference.