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Report on the 17 International Conference on AIDS
August 3-8, 2008
Mexico City, Mexico
The conference is quite an event: thousands of delegates meeting in scientific sessions, satellite sessions and related events in the “Global Village.” Even starting at 7:00 a.m. and going to 9:00 p.m. in sessions is not enough time! I did my best to fit in as much as possible and hope this report gives you some small feel for the event.
I arrived too late on August 2 to attend any of the pre-conference events as scheduled. The next day, however, I began by participating in a World Health Organization consultation on its relationship with civil society organizations in the fight against HIV/AIDS. I left there to participate in a satellite session, New Directions and New Models in HIV Services: Municipal Responses and Universal Action Now. My official duties then ended as the opening ceremonies began. They were not the Olympic Games, but they were pretty awe inspiring.
Throughout the week, I saw many Committee members and friends of the Committee, particularly at the poster presentations. Scott Burris did his usual exemplary job in presenting his poster and Jonathan Cohen’s session on human rights was as thought-provoking as only he can be. Unfortunately, I missed Catherine Hanssen’s workshop on informed consent but I am sure she covered the topic as thoroughly as she always does.
Much of the discussion on the domestic epidemic centered on calls for a national AIDS strategy. Rep. Barbara Lee, among others, carried that message as she participated on multiple panels. In fact, more than one delegate called for a “domestic PEPFAR” to mirror our international efforts here at home.
Although a number of sessions focused on the increasing criminalization of HIV/AIDS around the globe and attendant issues, and a number of satellite sessions addressed human rights issues, I was struck by the absence of any comprehensive discussion on the Rule of Law in relation to this pandemic. I applaud the unceasing work of Catherine, Jonathan, Scott and others who labor with so few real resources to keep these issues on the world stage. However, I hope that we will be able to work with them even more closely in the future to highlight the ongoing need for lawyers to insure that individual rights and public health issues do not collide on the battlefield of HIV/AIDS.
Events
Recent
HIV/AIDS Law and Practice:
From Local Client to Global Workforce
April 9-10, 2008
Hilton Anatole Hotel
Dallas, Tex.
Video Address by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA)
Conference Materials
Other Past Events
AIDS Coordinating Committee Fall Meeting
Nov. 2–3, 2007
Guests:
Andre W. Rawls, J.D., Psy.D., Illinois Department of Public Health, Chief of HIV/AIDS Section, and Chair, National Association of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, addressed funding and access to care issues.
Prof. Brook Baker, Northeastern University Law School, gave a presentation on international agreements, intellectual property rights and their effect on access to HIV medications. Click here to access that presentation.
Sex, Drugs and the Law: The
ABA's Response to HIV/AIDS
Aug. 11, 2007
Moderator: Gloria J. Sturman; Panelists: Shelley D. Hayes, Hon. Richard T. Andrias, Robert E. Stein, Barry Sullivan
Town Hall Meeting on AIDS, Color & Equality Apr. 11-12, 2007
