Workshops

The aim of the Workshop Programme is to increase the capacity of delegates to implement and advocate for effective, evidence-based HIV/AIDS policies and interventions in their respective communities and countries.

Workshops have a limited participant capacity. Seating will be granted on a first-come first-seated basis. Participants are encouraged to arrive 15-20 minutes prior to the start time.

Notifications to all workshop applicants have been sent out. Thank you to all who have participated in the submission process for the AIDS 2018 Workshops Programme.

Background

AIDS 2018 will select about 30 high-quality, targeted workshops that will promote and enhance opportunities for knowledge transfer, skills development and collaborative learning from public submissions through the AIDS 2018 website. The proposals will be reviewed by an independent reviewing committee, and at least two reviewers will assess each proposal. The final selection will be conducted by the AIDS 2018 Workshop Working Group, composed of members selected from the Conference Coordinating Committee (CCC) and programme committees.

Workshop focus areas

AIDS 2018 workshops are grouped into three areas: community, leadership and science. These areas cover a range of content and teach specific skills that can be applied within the workplace or in life settings. The main purpose of the grouping is to guide delegates to workshops that will best correspond to their needs.

Community

Experience shows that community involvement is an essential part of the response to combat the HIV epidemic. This series of workshops will showcase effective community empowerment programmes that are strengthening public health outcomes in HIV treatment, prevention, care and support. These workshops will emphasize the importance of building skills and capacity in relation to peer-driven programmes and services that are run “by and for” people living with HIV and key populations.

Participating in these workshops will enable delegates to broaden their knowledge and skills in mobilizing key populations and local communities to implement effective and sustainable programmes. By sharing the successes of global community responses to HIV, workshops will emphasize the importance of building partnerships and strengthening networks between civil society, policy makers and health professionals.

Leadership

Workshops provide a platform for new and current leaders to learn innovative skills, which are critical for an effective response to the HIV epidemic. Delegates will develop and enhance their ability to assess and measure commitments and actions of leaders in their own communities.
The intention of these sessions is to provide practical advice on best practice and to challenge individuals and organizations to consider ways in which they go about developing leadership skills and accountable processes. The aim is to understand such practices and examine what outcomes are possible for an effective, transparent and coordinated HIV response.

Science

Workshops enhance skills development and encourage collaborative learning around the latest scientific research, emerging technologies and breakthroughs in policy and programme in order to inform and guide the global response to the HIV epidemic.

Workshops in this category will serve to: (1) accelerate the scaling up of evidence-informed and combined approaches to HIV care, treatment and prevention; (2) highlight excellence in biomedical, epidemiological, behavioural, social, economic, political, and operational research, as well as in multi-disciplinary science; and (3) discuss the impact of the HIV response on health and social systems, including the potential for effective HIV programmes to transform the response for today and for generations to come.

Workshop levels

To maximize the potential of the conference platform in sharing experience and increasing knowledge and expertise of professionals working in HIV/AIDS, each workshop topic may be classified according to levels of experience and expertise of the target audience. The purpose is to guide conference delegates in identifying and selecting the workshop session that will best meet their needs.

The three workshop levels are:

Foundation level. For learners new to a career in HIV and health, these workshops are intended to build strong foundation skills and knowledge.
Intermediate level. For mid-career learners who have a strong foundation, looking to further advance their professional expertise and become more effective team leaders, these workshops offer a robust selection of topics that will help delegates specialize their focus, explore new areas and opportunities, or expand their skills to the next level of professional development.
Advanced level. For those who have been working in HIV and health for years, and are looking for new, fresh approaches to fighting HIV and AIDS, and delivering on high-stake projects, these workshops should allow delegates to build and nurture their talent, while increasing their own influence and marketability, and strengthening engagement with key experts at leading global health organizations.