International AIDS Conference, Toronto, August 17, 2006

On 17 August 2006, JLICA organized a special satellite session at the XVI International AIDS Conference, in Toronto, Canada. The event united a distinguished array of leaders in the HIV/AIDS fight, many of them JLICA participants or partners, to address the challenge of moving “From Evidence to Action” for children’s wellbeing. Stephen Lewis, United Nations Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, opened the session with an electrifying keynote speech, acknowledging the inadequacy of the world’s collective efforts to protect children in the shadow of HIV/AIDS and tasking JLICA to help lead a strengthened response. JLICA Co-Chair Agnès Binagwaho moderated a first panel including Linda Richter, Geoff Foster and Jim Kim. The speakers highlighted implementation gaps in the delivery of essential children’s services and in support to families and communities in areas heavily burdened by HIV/AIDS. A second panel, led by Peter Bell, explored what forms of evidence are required to improve children’s outcomes and discussed how to accelerate translation of knowledge into policy. Speakers included Alex de Waal, Stuart Gillespie, and Paul Bekkers, the Dutch Government’s Ambassador for HIV/AIDS. An energetic question and answer session followed the panel presentations.

The satellite session constituted a first chance to share JLICA’s objectives and action plan with the public. The overflow crowd responded enthusiastically; many attendees came forward to express their support and eagerness to collaborate with JLICA.

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