A report on the first international Conference on HIV/AIDS Sustainable Developments between North & South: Bridging the Divide. 

HIV/AIDS calls for a global strategy of joint responsibility in which the developed countries do not only discuss about, but together with the less developed countries find a suitable ways of controlling AIDS. this requires better integration of the people from Africa and the rest of the world, an extract from the welcome address by Ministerial Councillor Mr Dirk Lesser states, ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of the State of NRW
 

The conference provided a suitable discussion platform. a wide range of topics including societal conditions via nutrition problems, medical and psychosocial relief services up to the  significance culture, faith and religion. 

The objective of the conference was to exchange information and share experiences on the social science interventions which have been used in medical therapy, prevention programmes, projects and policies with the aim of expanding on knowledge and bridging the differences between North and South.

Specific objectives

o          Identify and describe interventions in HIV/AIDS medical health programmes, projects and policies carried out in Africa and Europe

o          Document on recommended best practices for improving health

o          Formulate plans of action, methods, and strategies for strengthening health interventions between North & South

The theme of the Conference was: “The power of compassion” The many faces of care: where we aim and paying greater attention on how best to improve or obtain learning skills in offering compassion or sympathy for HIV/AIDS infected persons and their families. It was not only to put together medical programmes, but social-economic, legal and indigenous and faith healers programmes so that as many areas as were possible were adequately covered. 

The Conference consisted of medical lectures, workshops and poster and exhibition sessions which provided opportunity for education and discussions on the latest information relevant to all aspects of HIV/AIDS.

Amongst  the participants/ presented included HIV positive persons, who gave insights to how determination and positive thoughts about one's self could go a long way in giving new life to even positive persons. a film documentary of one of such cases was that of a girls who was as good as dead but case to life again by positive thinking.  

Showing that HIV can be managed and that being infected does not mean that the person do not have any chance of living, this shows that Only through dialogue will it be possible to sustainable improve the situation of HIV and AIDS-affected people through exchange of  knowledge and experiences as well as by taking different social backgrounds into consideration.  

Amongs the speakers were Maryanne Nwaokeleme and Clara Okorie of AYFT .

Presenter and topics discussed include these among other issues:
Mrs. Marjorie Manduli-Bolz, Dr. Mariatu Rohde
Mrs. Betty Mporokoso - HIV/AIDS Law & Practice, UK
Max Ghani- Cross Cultural and Anti Discrimination Trainer – UK
Effects of biological and social differences between women and men on health and steps to achieve health equity by Maryanne Nwaokeleme – Nigeria.
Clara Okorie spoke on skills for youth to aids them.
Challenges facing people living with HIV/AIDS in the religious sector by Declare Mushi – Tanzania

Action medeor: Know How Transfer and New Technologies CD4 Counter equipment: Speaker Mr Dirk Angemeer
Local Production of ARV’s: Speaker Mrs Christine Häfele.
HIV Activists Workshops
Mrs Harriet Mulenga from CHAMP Zambia
Mr Stephen Mwangi – Kenya
Mrs Robina Merkels - Light of Africa NRW e.V. Germany