IS Academy Expert Meeting on HIV/AIDS
Rethinking HIV/AIDS Preventive Counselling
13 – 14 November 2006

The IS Academy HIV/AIDS organizes expert meetings regularly to discuss issues concerning HIV/AIDS policies. The aim of these meetings is to bring together different stakeholder groups such as policy makers, development practitioners, scientists, and other professionals to exchange knowledge about developments relating to HIV/AIDS in different regions. The format of the meeting encourages interdisciplinary interaction between different stakeholders. The focus of this year’s Expert Meeting is on counselling in HIV/AIDS preventive programs. The goal of the meeting is to improve HIV/AIDS counselling efforts by bringing together existing and/or new knowledge and experience.

Prevention programs worldwide have changed due to the implementation of large-scale treatment programs. There is a need to confront challenges of the past that have yet to be resolved, as well as new challenges related to better integration of prevention and treatment. Good quality counselling on treatment, prevention, sexuality and testing is needed. The attention to evidence-based planning and the incorporation of community input reflect a desire for both transparency and accountability in the planning and provision of services to address public needs.  

The first day of the meeting is dedicated to analyzing and discussing the obstacles to and challenges for effective counselling. The second day focuses on implications for policies and programs, research, public health systems development and capacity building.

Program and links to powerpoint presentations: click here