HIV/AIDS 2010 - world's largest international conference on HIV/AIDS in 2010

The AIDS 2010 Conference Programme seeks to promote scientific excellence and inquiry, encourage individual and collective action, foster multisectoral dialogue and constructive debate, and reinforce accountability amongst all stakeholders. Sessions will focus on the latest issues in HIV science, policy and practice and will also seek to share key research findings, lessons learned, best practices, as well as identify gaps in knowledge. The conference will feature abstract-driven sessions, a daily plenary session, a variety of symposia sessions, skills building workshops, and independently organized satellite meetings. In addition, the conference programme will include a number of programme activities, such as the Global Village and the Youth Programme, which are an integral aspect of the International AIDS Conference.

The AIDS 2010 Programme Committee is an international committee of experts and professionals with exceptional experience in their respective fields. These individuals will work together to construct a balanced and representative conference programme. The Joint Programme Committee will meet for the first time in May 2009 to begin the programme building process.

This webpage will be updated regularly and reflect advances in the conference programme.

Description of conference sessions:

Daily Plenary Sessions

The daily plenary sessions feature some the worldâ?™s most distinguished HIV scientists, policy specialists and community leaders. Plenary sessions will bring together all conference delegates at the first session of every morning.

Non-Abstract Driven Sessions (NADS)

Non-abstract driven sessions address a variety of current viewpoints and issues. The format and focus of these sessions will vary. These sessions will be developed by the three programme committees with stakeholder input.
Symposia sessions will deal with critical issues that defy simple solutions. Focusing on a single, clearly defined topic or issue, speakers and delegates will share experiences, contribute relevant research findings and brainstorm ideas to identify possible ways forward. Sessions will also report new findings and announce forthcoming research and new initiatives.

Bridging Sessions connect the three programme components (Science, Community, Leadership & Accountability) to provide an opportunity for multi-disciplinary, multi-perspective dialogues on topics of common interest. Through moderated panel discussions, speakers will share knowledge and perspectives on the particular issue selected. Together with contributions from delegates, members of the panel will be encouraged to illuminate linkages and synergies between their different areas of expertise
Special Sessions feature presentations by some of the worldâ?™s key research leaders, AIDS Ambassadors and policy specialists. These sessions, 60-minutes long and held mid-day, are highly engaging for all delegates.
Skills Building Workshops

Skills building workshops will cover a diverse range of content with the primary goal of providing a forum for teaching specific skills or strategies to particular audiences that can then be applied within their own work or life settings. These workshops will be grouped into broad topic areas, each of which will feature a range of sessions designed to strengthen the global response to the epidemic.

Abstract Driven Sessions

The abstract driven component of the conference offers the highest caliber of state-of-the-art knowledge and peer-reviewed research. Abstract driven sessions are either specific to one of the six tracks (A-F), or involve abstract from different tracks but focusing on one theme.

Abstracts are selected through a blind peer-review process. Abstract submissions have been scored by a panel of reviewers and ultimately selected by members of the scientific programme committee. Abstracts will be presented by scientists, activists, policy makers, people living with HIV/AIDS and others working in the field.
Oral abstract sessions will be organised by the six scientific programme tracks and will focus on new developments in one of these areas. Each session will include a number of speakers who will each make brief presentations followed by a short discussion. Audience questions will be encouraged and facilitated by the session chairperson.
Poster discussion sessions. A small number of the highest-scoring posters in each track will be selected for oral presentation in chaired poster discussion sessions in dedicated session rooms. There will be between four and six posters per session; each will have five minutes for presentation followed by a facilitated audience discussion. The posters will be displayed for viewing for the duration of the conference.
Poster exhibition and viewing sessions will cover a wide variety of topics organised by the six scientific programme tracks. A different group of posters will be displayed each day. Presenters will be at their posters at previously announced times to answer questions and provide further information on their study results.
Rapporteur Summary Session

A Rapporteur Summary Session will be held immediately before the Closing Session. The summary session will synthesize the presentations made during the week, focusing on critical issues addressed, important results presented and key recommendations put forward. In addition, rapporteur teams will publish daily reports and session summaries on the conference website.