Bay hosts massive Aids conference

NELSON Mandela Bay is fast becoming the preferred conference destination with the hosting next month of the 6th Social Aspects of HIV and Aids Research Alliance (SAHARA) Conference 2011, from November 28 to December 2, 2011 at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU).

The region’s tourism body, Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT), said it was excited to host the numerous delegates from across South Africa expected to attend this very important five-day conference. Tamlynne Wilton, one of the conference organisers says between 500 and 1000 local and international guests are expected to attend.

“Of course we welcome conferences to the city with open arms, but in particular, this conference is of critical importance as it brings into perspective a crucial question regarding the health of our society, are we turning the tide on HIV/ Aids,” said Mandlakazi Skefile, NMBT chief executive. “We welcome all delegates to the city and hope they work proactively and positively to address HIV/ Aids and the challenges to our health system. We also hope they enjoy spending time in Nelson Mandela Bay and take some time out to explore our cultural diverse city.”
 
SAHARA was established in 2001 with the vision of reducing the number of new HIV infections through the promotion of collaborative research and dissemination of evidence-based information. With the Human Science Research  Council (HSRC) as its parent organisation, SAHARA has continent-wide reach, with networks and projects in more than 26 African countries, co-ordinated by three regional offices for East and Central Africa, Southern Africa and West Africa. Since 2003, SAHARA has convened annual conferences as platforms for interface between researchers and policy makers, with the aim of sharing information and best practices relating to the social aspects of HIV/AIDS.

The SAHARA conference is a forum which brings together researchers, policy makers, donors and international organizations, civil society, and communities to exchange information, views and experiences, discuss problems, look for effective approaches to those problems and obstacles, make professional contacts; and keep track of what – and who – is current in the field.

“This conference is not the usual standard scientific conference, and will be like no other. It is the largest conference of its kind: going beyond the boundaries of biomedical paradigms and bringing together those involved in producing research and those at the centre of the epidemic (epidemiologists, medical doctors, social scientists, etc.) in an interdisciplinary, multi-stage, and multi-sector environment; with a strong African focus; and involving real, local people on the ground,”  said Wilton.

The Conference is themed around this central question: Are we turning the tide on HIV/Aids?: Social, Political and Economic Landscape of HIV Prevention and Response.

Conference chairperson Professor Nancy Phaswana-Mafuya said delegates were very welcome. “Please join us in November 2011 and we assure you will have a wonderful time in Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth,” says Professor Phaswana-Mafuya, who is also the director of SAHARA and HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections and TB (HAST)  at the HSRC.