A delegation from Fast Track Cities London made the journey to the annual International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference in late July, which took place in Munich. The theme of the conference this year was ‘putting people first’ calling on health services to develop a global HIV response that is built for the individual, with solutions being considered from the point of view of those most affected.
Alongside Fast Track Cities, the UK was represented by a diverse network of partners, including clinicians, government services, the voluntary and community sector and people with lived experience. Garry Brough, Programme Manager at Fast Track Cities joined with Harun Tulunay (Positively UK) and Aled Osbourne (Brigstowe) to run at workshop within the event’s Global Village – Addressing stigma, inside and out. The workshop was an opportunity to showcase the peer-led programmes to address HIV-related stigma that are running across both London and Bristol; the Empowerment Programme to address internalised stigma; and Hearts and Minds training, addressing stigma in healthcare settings.
The workshop also provided an opportunity for delegates to break into regional groups to share and discuss more local approaches to addressing stigma, particularly in terms of empowerment and training.
At the beginning of the conference week, Co-Chair of Fast Track Cities London, Professor Jane Anderson, had the opportunity to present a update around addressing the gaps in retention of HIV care across London at the 95-95-95 Targets Update, sponsored by the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care.
A busy and tiring conference, but also a fantastic opportunity to engage with partners working on HIV prevention and treatment initiatives across the globe and showcase the work we’re doing in London.