Descriptions of the plenaries give an indication of the key issues that will be addressed. There will be 3 main plenaries; with 1 plenary dedicated to each of the 3 sub-themes of the pre-conference: health, dignity and justice.

The names of the confirmed plenary speakers have also been published. These include:

• Rev. Nyambura Njoroge, World Council of Churches, Kenya
• Imam Johari Abdul-Malik, Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Centre, USA
• Dr. Rosalee Velosso-Ewell, World Evangelical Alliance, Brazil
• Ruth Messinger, President, American Jewish World Service
• Canon Gideon Byamugisha, Christian Aid Goodwill Ambassador, Uganda
• Faghmeda Miller, Positive Muslims, South Africa
• Bishop Yvette Flunder, United Church of Christ City of Refuge, USA
• Moono Nyambe, Global Network of People Living with HIV, Zambia
• Swami Advaidananda, INERELA+, Réunion Island
• Dr Ronald Lalthanmawia, Christian Medical Association of India

Keep an eye on the online program to see additional speakers as confirmations come in.

Full descriptions of the 24 workshops to take place at the pre-conference will be published online by 1 June. A few of the many organizations involved in running workshops include: Caritas Internationalis; Center for Interfaith Action on Global Poverty (CIFA); Metropolitan Interdenominational Church; UNFPA, Kaiser Family Foundation; The Balm in Gilead; the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; World YWCA; RESULTS UK; Catholic Relief Services, Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services; World Vision; the Russian Evangelical Baptist Union; Norwegian Church Aid; St John’s Cathedral, Hong Kong, and Christian Connections for International Health.

Unlike other parts of AIDS 2012, the Global Village is open to the general public as well as AIDS 2012 participants and is expected to attract thousands of visitors each day.

The Faith Zone – to be shared with the Caregivers Zone – will include a podium for various events and speakers, as well as space for displaying materials. In addition, there will be comfy sofas for networking and relaxing. Therefore, if you have a creative idea for an event, including music, workshops, music, food, dance, theatre, publication launches, videos and much more, then the Faith Zone is for you! There will also be space to display materials, so if you have a poster or other publications that help to showcase faith-based work on HIV then please consider applying too.

Download the call for proposals from www.iacfaith.net/interfaith, and send your filled out form to preconference@e-alliance.ch by May 25 2012.

Pre-Conference Flyer for download.

The Interfaith Pre-Conference is organized around three main plenaries, each focused on the sub-themes of Dignity, Health and Justice. Linked to each plenary there will be eight simultaneous workshops. Thus, the pre-conference will see 24 workshops which combine the three plenary themes with eight sub-categories as follows: 

Each workshop will offer a theological reflection on the topic as well as a “best practice” or other practical presentation, with significant time spent in exchange and discussion to identify how we need to move forward in the future.

The following earlybird tickets are available until 17 May 2012:

1. An ‘Earlybird ONLY’ ticket entitles you to pre-conference registration for 220 USD (excluding processing fees)
2. An ‘Earlybird PLUS’ ticket entitles you to both accommodation and pre-conference registration for 500 USD (also excluding processing fees).

Pre-conference registration includes:

• admittance to the Networking Reception on 19 July at 6pm (including welcome drink and canapés);
• participation in the pre-conference on 20 and 21 July;
• lunch and beverage breaks on 20 and 21 July (or pre-dawn breakfast and post-sunset dinners for Ramadan observers);
• transportation from the pre-conference to the National Cathedral for the Interfaith Prayer Service on 21 July evening at 7pm

Accommodation entitles you to up to 10 nights at the Meridian Hill Hall, Howard University. Rooms are single rooms with shared bathrooms, air conditioning, internet access and linen provided. There are also shared kitchens and common room areas with sofas, TV and vending machines. Mini microwave/fridges will be made available upon request. Rooms must be reserved for the 10-day block even if you are not staying the full 10 days.

For more information contact Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl or Imam Dr Abdul-Malik Ali, or view the Faith at AIDS 2012 portion of our website.

Scientific Abstracts

The XIX International AIDS Conference welcomes the submission of abstracts for original contribution various scientific fields.

Global Village Submissions

The Global Village is a diverse and vibrant space hosted by the conference, where community gathers from all over the world to meet, share and learn from each other. The conference is accepting proposals for activities for the Global Village Programme.

Youth Program Proposals

The Youth Pavilion in the Global Village is the main networking space for young people at AIDS 2012. The pavilion will host a diverse programme of sessions, workshops, performances and exhibitions. The conference is currently accepting submissions for programme activities.

Scholarship Applications

The conference organizers are committed to making AIDS 2012 accessible to people from resource-limited settings and communities, researchers, young people, community activists and civil society representatives. You may apply for a scholarship that will cover the cost, in whole or in part, of your conference attendance.