The 24th International AIDS Conference took place in Montreal (and virtually) this summer (July 29 – August 2nd). In addition to contributing to the Canada Pavilion, Realize took the lead on two important zones in the conference Global Village (open to everyone, not just conference delegates) to address inequities in the global HIV response.
Jeffery Kwong from ANAC (Association of Nurses in AIDS Care – New York) takes part in a presentation on Sexual Health and Wellness for Persons Ageing with HIV at the Silver Zone at AIDS 2022.
The Silver Zone – the first ever International AIDS Conference Global Village networking zone dedicated to aging and older people living with HIV – happened at AIDS 2022! After two previous attempts by Realize and global partners to advocate for such community spaces at AIDS 2016 in Durban and AIDS 2018 in Amsterdam, the third time was a charm, and on home soil too! The Silver Zone was a place for aging and older people living with HIV to re-engage with the HIV community and follow the science on HIV and ageing; to feel included and celebrated. The networking zone featured live and recorded presentations and interactive workshops and installations on topics of interest to aging and older people living with HIV, long-term survivors and those who provide care and support to these populations. Topics on the agenda were HIV, aging and…sexuality, mental health, quality of life, comorbidity, community engagement and more! Find out more about the Silver Zone agenda.
Dr Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada dropped by the DNZ at AIDS 2022. Pictured here with Realize Executive Director, Tammy Yates-Rajaduray (left) and Realize Board member and DNZ volunteer, Daniel Sands (right).
Disability Networking Zone – Realize is organized the Disability Networking Zone (DNZ) at AIDS 2022. This 12th edition of the DNZ included a three-day program where Conference participants and the public met, learned from each other’s experiences, and engaged with cutting edge global research and good practices.
The DNZ 2022 included presentations, stories, roundtable discussions, and interactive sessions that invited participants to share their knowledge with a wide range of Conference delegates and visitors. In this COVID-19 context, we used a hybrid approach that included online sessions and pre-recorded messages alongside in-person presentations. The DNZ organizers worked hard to support an inclusive and accessible conference.
In the networking zone people with disabilities, people living with HIV, researchers, conference attendees, and the general public came together to share experiences, learn from each other, and create greater awareness of the intersections between disability and HIV.