Update from the XVI International AIDS Conference

[Guest guest]

Dear Colleagues,

Please find below an update from the International AIDS Conference to be held in

Toronto in August. We would particularly like to draw your attention to the Red

Ribbon Award (see below and www.redribbonaward.org).

We would encourage you to nominate community and grassroots organisations, in

particular real community-led organisations that would actually benefit from

receiving the US$20,000 and $5,000 awards that the supporters of this award are

offering.

___________________________________________

Dear Friends,

Please find attached the latest updates, and announcements regarding the XVI

International AIDS Conference. I encourage you to circulate this email widely to

your contacts and to post the announcements in your office.

Update from the XVI International AIDS Conference

AIDS 2006 Update from the International and Toronto Local Host

Secretariats

This Month’s Topics:

1. New features on the AIDS 2006 website

2. Key dates and upcoming deadlines

a. Abstract submission (22 February)

b. Scholarship Applications (22 February)

c. Skills Building Workshop Proposals (22 February)

d. Red Ribbon Award Nominations (31 March)

3. Registration and visa applications

1. New features on the AIDS 2006 website

Media Centre page: The Media Centre page for the Conference has

been revamped and contains new information on AIDS 2006 media contacts, online

media registration and updated background information, including press releases,

fact sheets and publications. Visit www.aids2006.org/mediacentre for more

information.

Abstract Mentoring Programme: The Abstract Mentoring Programme

matches less-experienced abstract authors with more experienced peers to

strengthen the quality of abstracts submitted. Please note that the Mentoring

Programme is solely a tool which allows users to request a mentor or pose

questions regarding abstracts. Abstracts submitted via the Mentor Scheme Project

Question Registration Form are NOT valid entries for review. Only abstracts

which have been submitted via the online abstract submission system will be

accepted.

2. Key dates and upcoming deadlines

22 February 2006:

Abstract submission closes. Only late breakers will be accepted after this date.

To help you with your abstract submission, please refer to the Abstract

Submissions Guidelines page. For further information on abstract format options,

visit the Abstract Format Options page. If you are a less-experienced abstract

author, visit the Abstract Mentoring Online page to develop an abstract that

effectively communicates your research project and results.

International and Canadian scholarship applications close. Applicants are

reminded that the confirmation number they receive when submitting an

application indicates that the application has successfully been received.

No other communication will be made with applicants until the successful

candidates have been selected. After this time, all applicants will be notified

of their status via email.

Skills building workshop proposals close. The Skills Building programme will

offer workshops covering a diverse range of topics, with the principle aim of

providing a stage for teaching specific skills or strategies to specific

audiences that can then be applied within their own work or life settings once

they return home. Participants will share experiences, enhance their knowledge

and skills, and build personal networks so they can more effectively plan and

implement HIV/AIDS policies and programmes.

The workshop format will vary depending on the presenters, but may include

presentations, group activities or discussion, as well as a period for questions

and answers, all with the goal of facilitating the effective transfer of

knowledge and skills among peers. More information on how to submit a proposal

for a skills building workshop, topic areas and a description of the key

challenges which proposals should cover, is available on

www.aids2006.org/skillsbuilding.

31 March 2006

Red Ribbon Award applications close: The first-ever ‘Red Ribbon Award:

Celebrating Community Leadership and Action on AIDS’ will be presented at AIDS

2006. The award is sponsored by the Leadership and Community programmes of the

International AIDS Conference with the support of UNDP and UNAIDS. We are

requesting your support in the nomination process by nominating community

organizations (not individuals) and circulating news of this award to the

appropriate networks and communities.

All 25 finalists of the award will receive a monetary prize. Please note that

nominations will be accepted until 31 March 2006. Information on the award and

how to nominate can be found on www.redribbonaward.org or by contacting

redribbonaward@...

3. Registration and visa applications

22 February 2006 is the deadline for registering under the standard

registration fee. After this date, a late surcharge of US$ 110 for

Non-OECD delegates and US$ 145 for OECD delegates will be introduced.

Visit www.aids2006.org/registration to register, or for more information about

registration fees and procedures.

Canadian Visa Requirements

Conference delegates are reminded that they may require a visa or other special

documentation in order to enter Canada and/or transit through the U.S. and that

they should start the necessary procedures as soon as they have registered for

the Conference. The visa application process takes eight to twelve weeks, and

therefore the process should be started well in advance of August 13, 2006.

In addition, Canadian immigration stipulates that visitors to Canada from any

county who have a criminal background need to apply as soon as possible to

obtain necessary documentation in time to enter Canada.

Visitors to Canada should contact the nearest Canadian Embassy or

Consulate, visit Canada International at http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/

or call 1-888-242-2100 (from within Canada) or 1-800-992-7037 (from outside

Canada) for more information.

Please consult www.aids2006.org/travellingtocanada for the most recent

information related to entry into Canada and transit through the U.S.

For the most up to date information on the Conference, please visit

www.aids2006.org.

Amoroso

AIDS 2006 Toronto Local Host Secretariat

Tel: +1.416.840.3334 ext 304

Fax: +1.416.840.3343

Cell: +1.647.400.1007

.amoroso@...

www.AIDS2006.org

___________________________________

Regards,

Gala Vrabiye

Administrative Coordinator

International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO)

65 Wellesley St. E., Suite 403

Toronto, ON M4Y 1G7

CANADA

Tel: 1-416-921-0018 ext. 10

Fax: 1-416-921-9979

E-mail: icaso@...

Web site: www.icaso.org