Putting People First: AIDS 2024 Munich
The International AIDS Society (IAS) hosts an annual conference that attracts thousands of HIV/AIDS sector leaders, advocates, activists and grassroots workers from around the globe. It’s been ten years since the conference was hosted in Melbourne, in 2014. This year the conference was hosted in Munich, Germany, from 20 to 26 July.
Four folk from Team LPV attended the conference this year including Peer Navigator, Carlos Araya and Health Promotion Officer, Vic Perri, who share their experiences with us here. Community member, Chrissie Sibanda also shares her conference experiences with us. These folk were able to attend the conference with assistance from NAPWHA’s and other scholarship programs, providing funding for flights and accommodation.
L-R: Richard Keane, CEO; Vic Perri, Health Promotion Officer; Sarah Feagan, Peer Navigator; Carlos Araya, Peer Navigator
Carlos Araya volunteered their time at the IAS Global Village, giving them the opportunity to meet people from diverse backgrounds and learn about their motivations for attending the conference. Carlos participated in various activities, including attending conference sessions, visiting booths, attending abstracts and joining Australian delegation events. These experiences allowed Carlos to connect and learn from individuals working in healthcare, community development, and research.
One of the highlights of the conference for Carlos was learning valuable insights into the relationship between research and community development, and importantly, gained revealing insight into Australia’s privileged position in terms of healthcare access and support.
For Carlos, connecting with Latinx migrants from other developed countries was particularly inspiring. They learned about their community-building efforts and collaborative models of sharing resources and knowledge. This experience has motivated Carlos to expand local networks and explore opportunities for collaboration which could have positives outcomes for LPV.
One of the most significant new things Carlos learnt at the conference was the development of long-lasting injections and pills, which could revolutionise the management of HIV. Additionally, they gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by people in developing countries regarding research participation. Many individuals in these regions may be forced to discontinue treatment due to financial constraints or lack of access to healthcare. This experience heightened awareness of the importance of supporting research efforts to improve global health outcomes.
Vic Perri presented a series of videos produced by LPV for the Well Beyond 50 project. Vic, along with LPV CEO Richard Keane presented on ‘Quality in an Ageing Life: Health Promotion and Peer Connection’ in the Global Village Silver Zone, which was a large stand set up in the Global Village for PLHIV aged 50 and up, to network and share knowledge.
Vic also participated in a moderated intergenerational panel discussion in the Global Village Silver Zone, organised by the European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG) and REALIZE Canada.
The significant conference message for Vic was that first and foremost, more work needs to be done on integration and collaboration of support and services for a holistic approach to care for older PLHIV. For long-term survivors, lifelong trauma can be real due to loss of networks and community, survivors’ guilt, guilt of long term non- disclosure of HIV status due to stigma and to avoid rejection, history of rejection.
For Chrissie the conference was a transformative experience as an HIV advocate. Attending the conference for the first time was deeply moving for the collective enthusiasm, commitment, and dedication shared by participants from around the world.
The theme of AIDS 2024 was ‘Putting People First’. The conference emphasized the importance of centering the needs and rights of people living with HIV in all aspects of the HIV response. Andriy Klepikov one of the strong advocates and a person who uses drug from Ukraine gave a powerful speech that highlighted the potential for ending AIDS as a threat to public health and individual wellbeing, If we unite with a vision of putting people first. This vision emphasises the responsibility of governments, policymakers, and health professionals to include people living with HIV as active participants and partners in decision-making processes. This can be a call for action for everyone involved in the HIV response to unite in creating a world where the focus is on supporting and uplifting those affected, rather than perpetuating stigma and the barriers caused by living with HIV.
The conference had a significant impact on Chrissie, both personally and professionally. It was a privilege for her to witness the coming together of diverse voices, including HIV advocates, scientists, researchers, and other stakeholders. Learning about new advancements, such as the Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) vaginal ring Dapivirine, which offers women more options for HIV prevention, was particularly empowering. These innovations are crucial for providing choice and independence in HIV prevention. The availability of choice is fundamental to empowering individuals to take control of their health.
The conference emphasised the importance of using non-stigmatising language. The impact of language on stigma and perception was an eye-opener for Chrissie, especially regarding how HIV is communicated to children born with HIV. Labelling HIV as solely a sexually transmitted disease can alienate and stigmatize those who were born with HIV, who have never engaged in sex .Ensuring that communication is accurate, sensitive, and inclusive is crucial in reducing stigma and promoting justice for people living with HIV. It’s crucial to shift our language to be more inclusive, accurate, and free of stigma.
The Global Village at AIDS 2024 was a vibrant and moving space, showcasing a diverse range of cultural booths that presented a multitude of messages and emotions from people living with HIV, activists, advocates, young people, and older individuals. It was a powerful reminder for Chrissie of the strength and diversity within the HIV community. It provided a platform for sharing stories, raising awareness, and fostering connections between people from different backgrounds. The emotional and educational experiences offered by the booths contributed to a greater understanding of the complexities of living with HIV and the ongoing efforts to address these challenges globally.
While the Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) message is a significant breakthrough, it was disheartening to learn that 10 million people worldwide are still not receiving the treatment and care needed to experience its benefits. This raises important questions about how to communicate effectively with those who cannot achieve an undetectable viral load. Addressing these challenges requires a compassionate and inclusive approach, focusing on equitable access to treatment and support for all individuals.
AIDS 2024 served as a powerful reminder for Chrissie of both the progress we’ve made and the work still needed. The collective voices and shared commitment at the conference have inspired me to further my advocacy efforts. By continuing to prioritize inclusion, mental health, and accurate communication, we can drive meaningful change and ensure that the needs and rights of people living with HIV are recognized and addressed.
That take home message from the conference, for Chrissie, is that living with HIV can be challenging, but remember: you are not alone.
“Every day, people like you and me are fighting stigma, managing our health, and thriving in ways we never imagined. HIV doesn’t define us — we define ourselves. Take pride in your journey. Whether it’s overcoming the fear of diagnosis, embracing treatment, or finding the courage to speak out, every step you take is powerful. You deserve care, love, and respect — not just from others, but also from yourself. Stay connected, lean on your community, and know that you are part of a global network of strong, resilient individuals. We are here, living and thriving together, proving that HIV is just one part of our story, not the whole.”
The next IAS Conference, AIDS 2025, will take place in Kigali, Rwanda. For more information visit the IAS website.