Vienna kick-off: Modest hopes re vaccines, the devastating impact of AIDS on children, and making “integration” a reality and not an excuse to cut funds

The first day of the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna tipped off with the usual fanfare accompanying the appearance of celebrity global leaders mixed with the irrepressible passion of AIDS activism.  Sunday’s substantive sessions also offered an initial look at some of the key issues facing the global AIDS community.

Among the highlights were appearances by former Eurythmics singer Annie Lennox at several sessions devoted to women and children and AIDS advocacy.  Lennox has become increasingly visible on the world HIV/AIDS stage having just been appointed International Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS, but she is not new to the AIDS activist scene having founded the “SING” campaign, which seeks to raise awareness and support for women and children affected by AIDS in South Africa.

Pangaea’s presence kicked off this morning at a satellite session, “The Global Context of Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV.”  Pangaea’s VP of Research and Programs Megan Dunbar co-authored a presentation by Saiqa Mullick, Senior Associate & Country Director at Population Council, entitled, “Designing Comprehensive HIV and Family Planning/Reproductive Health Programmes.”

In sessions relating to HIV vaccines we observed that for the first time in recent memory at an International AIDS Conference the rhetoric has shifted from “We’re at least 10 years away” to a focus on the deeper understanding that’s been developing re how an effective vaccine might work, offering hope that we may eventually find our way forward on this vitally important issue.

We were sobered by data presented at another presentation that show that only 15% of infants and children who are clearly at risk of HIV are being tested – an outrageously inadequate response to a problem that must be at the top of the global priority list.  We know we can stop the mother to child transmission of HIV and need to move forward now to protect the world’s children.

A session on AIDS diplomacy gave AIDS ambassadors from a number of countries the opportunity to share experiences and challenges in keeping AIDS high on the political agenda.  Sigrun Mogedal, Ambassador for HIV/AIDS for Norway, said that the traditional approach of “influence and interest” needs to evolve and that a new generation of leaders will have to be engaged with new and innovative approaches if we to keep AIDS front and center.

Integration of HIV with other services, such as family planning and maternal/child health, is a hot topic, but while there is a lot of momentum to streamline funding streams, we join many others in the advocacy community who emphasized today that integration can’t be used as an excuse to reduce funding for HIV or any of the other service areas.  In that regard, Pangaea echoes remarks of U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee who has signed a letter to President Obama, along with 60 other members of Congress, to urge that U.S. funding for HIV/AIDS internationally not be cut.  This letter, along with similar statements by other global leaders in HIV, highlights the need to make sure that the push for integration is backed up by specific, effective and measurable programs that deliver results across all the areas being integrated.