Not Your Typical Scientific Conference

What do Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Richard Gere, and 24,000 others have in common? They all attended the XVI International AIDS Conference, which took place in Toronto, Ontario, from August 13–18, 2006. Although the primary focus of the conference was the presentation of 4,500 abstracts, it was much more than a scientific conference. The AIDS pandemic is simultaneously a scientific, political, and social challenge, and this conference brought together representatives from all three groups.

One of the hallmarks of AIDS 2006 was its incredible diversity, with delegates from more than 170 countries and all walks of life. The conference also made an active effort to include marginalized groups, including women, citizens of developing countries, gays and lesbians, sex workers, and people living with HIV and AIDS. In addition to a wide range of oral and poster presentations, delegates also had the opportunity to learn, debate, and exchange ideas during satellite events, symposia, workshops, and through the "find a delegate" feature on the conference website. The topics presented were as diverse as the delegates themselves, and ranged from scientific breakthroughs such as integrase inhibitors and topical microbicides, to sociopolitical concerns such as women's rights, poverty, and discrimination.

Thus, AIDS 2006 was not merely a forum for a polite exchange of ideas among intellectuals, but an ideological melee where participants cared passionately about the outcome. Activists were one of the most visible and vocal groups at the conference. They loudly "booed" the absence of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper during the opening ceremonies, condemned Abbott Laboratories for not making their new anti-HIV drug Kelatra affordable for developing nations, and demanded action to make AIDS prevention and treatment available for all. A large contingent of youth delegates, mostly from grassroots and community organizations, were also present. One of the event's goals was to empower young people, and to help them become fully informed about the issues surrounding HIV and AIDS. A variety of sessions and skills-building workshops were designed especially for youths, and ranged from the ABCs of vaccine development to how to combat discrimination among members of specific cultures.

This diversity was evident at a plenary session entitled "25 Years of AIDS – Reflecting Back and Looking Forward." The panel of five speakers included the executive director of UNAIDS, the Director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, an activist, a young woman who has been HIV-positive since birth, and the manager of Uganda's National AIDS Control Project (NACP). Although the speakers had differing, and sometimes dissenting perspectives, they all agreed that more effort was needed from all fronts in the fight against AIDS.

Another unique feature of the AIDS Conference was its accessibility to the general public. The "Double Bill" of Clinton and Gates attracted considerable media attention, and numerous journalists sent the latest conference news to audiences across the globe. The creation of a Global Village open to both delegates and the general public was another key feature of the conference. Taking up the entirety of a 7,000-square-meter (75,347-square-foot) conference hall, the Global Village was jam-packed with booths representing community groups from Toronto and around the world. It also featured live broadcasts of plenary sessions, a Youth Pavilion, video lounge, visual arts exhibits, interactive activities, and networking zones that highlighted the needs of under-represented regions and marginalized groups. Numerous informal talks and seminars could be found throughout the day, with discussions taking place in venues that resembled large living rooms. The Global Village was also a hub of cultural activity, with presentations that ranged from drama, dance, and fashion shows to sex-toy demonstrations and safer sex education. Designed to "engage, challenge, and inspire," the Global Village gave everyone the opportunity to learn, advocate, and network.

Poverty and politics, disease and discrimination, drug development and drug abuse, sexual rights, women's rights, and human rights – these are just some of the issues associated with the AIDS pandemic, and the solutions will need to be as diverse as the problems. When it comes to HIV and AIDS, no topic should be taboo, and no person excluded from education, prevention, or treatment. AIDS cannot be stopped by a single drug, organization, or prevention strategy, but only by learning and applying what works for each group, culture, and nation.

The 2006 International AIDS Conference facilitated this process by bringing together representatives from diverse fields from around the world. Scientists learned about the potential social impacts of the drugs they are developing. Policymakers were confronted with the demands of community groups and activists. And activists learned about the intricacies of drug development, patent laws, and international agreements. Although occasionally overwhelming in its scope, AIDS 2006 gave all participants a chance to be seen and heard. Many ambitious goals were announced during the event. Will there be universal access to AIDS medications by 2010? Can we truly defeat AIDS in the foreseeable future? Only time can provide the answers to these questions, but the incredible energy, dedication, and passion that pervaded this conference left me with a feeling of hope.

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