Bridging the Gap: Conference Workbook [International Conference on AIDS (12th: 1994: Geneva, Switzerland)]

keeping the Community informed of the Conference
process and of developments in issues programmed for the
Conference. Secondly, the CLN has welcomed the input
of a number of Key Correspondents - sub-regional
representatives mandated to gather and disseminate
information on the Conference. Thirdly, an electronic
mail network (CLN-Electronic: accessed through our web
site www.aids98.ch) provided the Conference with a
discussion forum for on-going information exchange and
debate, which in turn fed into the Community RendezVous Networking Sessions and other sessions on a number
of emerging issues.
Community Rendez-Vous
The Community Rendez-Vous will facilitate community
exchange and skills development, beginning Friday,
June 26 in the evening with a retrospective Vancouver
1996 and a Community Reception. Saturday, June 27
is planned as a full day including regional, sub-regional
and targeted community-specific meetings (organised in
co-operation with existing and emerging networks). A
plenary summary session including community resolutions
is scheduled for the evening of Thursday, July 2.
Scholarship delegates can pre-register for the
Community Rendez-Vous. Others may register on site on
Friday, June 26. Registration is limited to 200 per region.
Community Rendez-Vous Schedule

Friday, June 26
16.30-18.30
Friday, June 26
19.30-21.30
Saturday, June 27
09.00-12.00
Saturday, June 27
13.00-17.00
Thursday, July 2
18.30-20.00
Thursday, July 2
21.00-22.30

Opening Plenary
Session Hall I
Community Reception
Palais Eynard, Geneva
Regional Meetings/
Skills Building Workshops
Session Halls I and II
and Rooms D, E, F, G, H, I
and K
Network Meetings
Session Halls I and II
and Rooms D, E and F
Closing Plenary
Session Hall I
Closing Ritual
Perle du Lac

The Electronic Talking Tree is a network of computer
workstations grouped at the base of a number of real trees
placed throughout the Conference venue. At these easy-tofind points, delegates can use the electronic message
service and look through the Conference programme to
identify key information using the Abstracts-on-Site
facility.
Late Breaker Sessions
Because the deadline for abstract submission was several
months prior to the Conference, there will be an
opportunity for the presentation of abstracts highlighting
important 'late breaking' developments in scientific
research. These will be presented on Monday, June 29
(11.00-12.30: mother-to-child HIV transmission) and the
morning of Friday, July 3.
Non-Abstract Driven Sessions
Non-abstract driven sessions, including track-specific
symposia on certain topics, form a key part of the
programme, with state-of-the-art presentations by leading
authorities in the field. The number and times of track
symposia differ from track to track, and some are partly
abstract-driven and/or involve invited speakers making
presentations with a moderator.
Oral Abstract Sessions
The main body of the 12th World AIDS Conference is
composed of oral abstract presentations of track-specific
peer-reviewed research. Questions from the audience will
be encouraged and facilitated by the session chairs.
Note: Oral abstract presentations will also be presented
as posters Monday to Thursday (see page 5).
Orientation Sessions
Participants, especially newcomers to world AIDS
conferences, will be pleased to find practical information
(with regard to the Conference programme, venue and
terminology) offered in one-hour sessions at regular
intervals during Sunday, June 28. Although the official
language of the Conference is English, orientation sessions
will also be offered in French and Spanish.
Orientation Session Schedule
Sunday, June 28
10.00-11.00 Sessions in English
11.30-12.30 Session Hall I
13.00-14.00
14.30-15.30
10.00-11.00 Sessions d'orientation (en frangais)
13.00-14.00 Session Hall II
11.30-12.30 Seances de orientacin (en espatiol)
14.30-15,.30 Session Hall II
Overflow Areas
A limited number of over-subscribed sesssions will be

broadcast by closed circuit television to overflow areas
located in Session Hall IV (Community Village), the
Conference Centre lobby, and Session Hall VII.

Community Symposia
Community Symposia have been organised for the late
afternoons of Monday 29, Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 1.
These will deal with a range of different issues related to
community action and HIV/AIDS. The focus will be on
interactive exchange including case studies, demonstrations, round table discussions, and workshops.
Community Village
The Community Village is situated at the heart of the
Conference. It has been designed to include NGO
booths, an amalgam of Swiss organisations, areas to
facilitate dialogue and exchange, a platform for public
presentations, and the central Electronic Talking Tree
(http://www.aids98.ch).

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12th World AIDS Conference Geneva