AIDS 2016 #AIDS2016

International AIDS Conference 2016 held in July 2016 at Durban South Africa.  It gathered 18000 delegates consisted of people working to defeat the disease such as Civil Society Organizations, NGOs, politicians, youth, policymakers, and media from around the world. The conference highlighted and discussed issues in surroundings of HIV/AIDS. The conference came back again to South Africa because of the sensitivity of AIDS in South Africa.

A Group Photo with other Young Leaders

The previous time the International AIDS Conference held in Durban in 2000, admittance to lifesaving antiretroviral drugs in 2000 was abruptly limited. Sixteen years later, over 17 million people are today in HIV treatment and South Africa is home to the largest HIV treatment program in the world. "Sixteen years after Nelson Mandela spoke at the 2000 International AIDS Conference, we return to Durban for #AIDS2016. It all starts today, Nelson Mandela Day". #MandelaDay AIDS2016
MY Role at #AIDS2016

Endorsing a Campaign 

I got an opportunity to represent my organization "Kafka Welfare Organization-Pakistan (KWO)" at AIDS 2016 18-22 July 2016 and Pre-Youth Conference 16-17 Jul 2016. I was also representing International Youth Alliance for Family planning (IYAFP) being a Country Coordinator from Pakistan.

Ali is doing his session at global village

Ali Asif youth activist and advocate from same organization also represented KWO at #AIDS2016 and Wiqas Ahmad my friend, activist, and colleague from Y-PEER Pakistan also participated at the conference.

Discussion during Youth Pre-Conference

I got an opportunity to have a session with International Youth at Youth Pavillion AIDS 2016. My session was based on "Sports for Development as a tool to prevent HIV AIDS".

Doing a Session at Youth Pavillion with International Youth

Meanwhile, some prominent personalities were part of conferences and they said:

Charles Theron and Banki Mon during a discussion

"We now face a new risk. The risk of complacency. It is time for a new generation of leaders to step forward." - Prince Harry

Prince Harry Signing the Petition to fight against HIV/AIDS

Sir Elton John named young people to evocatively affianced in the HIV response. "We need the confidence and courage of children to end AIDS," said John.

Sir Elton John addressing to a panel discussion

"The largest generation in history is entering an age when they are most at risk of HIV." - Bill Gates

Bill Gates addressing to conference

The International AIDS Conference carries together the world's specialists and communities pretentious by HIV, to advance knowledge about HIV, present novel research findings, and promote and improve scientific and community partnerships around the world.

Charles Theron during a panel discussion

The International AIDS Conference is the place where science and community see in the HIV rejoinder. In addition to over 500 sessions determined by the latest HIV science, #AIDS2016 endorses activism and community enlistment, holding a Global Village with workshops, presentations and more doings open to the public.
IYAFP: A meeting of IYAFP was also held with some country coordinators and executive team members.

By Rana Umair Asif
Pakistan