The theme of the 9th ICAAP is
"Empowering People, Strengthening Networks"
For more than 20 years countries around the world have faced the AIDS epidemic more or less alone. Best practices have been documented to help countries deal with their specific epidemics, but as the world becomes more globalized and country borders become more fluid, interventions that address mobility, migration and global and regional responses become more important.
The empowerment of people - both HIV-positive and HIV-negative vulnerable to HIV - and the strengthening of networks - PLHIV groups, faith-based organizations, communities, governments, regions, sectors, as well as individuals - are important components to addressing this change.
With increased mobility in-country and across borders, nations can no longer expect to work alone in its response to HIV and AIDS.
Regional and international cooperation is needed to address HIV transmission among migrant populations. Strong networks are of utmost importance when countries need effective interventions to halt the epidemic in its tracks.
The 9th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific in Bali in August 2009 aims to address, among others, issues of mobility, migration, as well as gender and people with disabilities in order to empower the people and strengthen networks to effectively respond to AIDS.
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