[procaare] AIDS2008.com is Live: CHAMP Launches Shadow Site for AIDS2008

["Julie Davids" <procaare@healthnet.org>]

AIDS2008.com is Live: CHAMP Launches Shadow Site for 2008 International AIDS Conference
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AIDS2008.com is Live:
CHAMP Launches Independent Community Blog
Shadowing the 2008 International AIDS Conference (IAC), Invites Collaborators

Bloggers and other journalists invited as correspondents, and people worldwide asked to subscribe for updates and new posts 

First site alert asks for global solidarity in fight for a U.S. AIDS strategy:

As the wealthiest nation in the world fails its own people in responding to the AIDS epidemic at home, it continues to promote ineffective abstinence-only programs around the world, bans funding for syringe exchange in the U.S. and decries it worldwide, defunds programs for sex workers, and slashes funds for U.S. HIV prevention education, research and care programs

Every two years, the International AIDS Conference gathers up to 25,000 people from around the world who are engaged in struggles against the pandemic. Information about this year's conference, held from August 3-8 in Mexico City, is available at www.AIDS2008.org. This year, Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP) will coordinate an independent, international community media site that will provide coverage and context before and during the conference, at www.AIDS2008.com. 

"We invite people worldwide to participate in this resource," explained Kenyon Farrow, Director of Communications for CHAMP. "Anyone who will be at the IAC can apply to be a featured blogger. There will also be open space for delegates to post conference diaries or cover specific sessions, issues or controversies. And people from around the world can participate in the dialogue by posting stories or comments as well." 

Until July 21, the site will feature global alerts, asking people worldwide to write, call or fax policymakers or coalitions in support of sound HIV/AIDS policies. The first alert invites global allies to join the call at www.nationalaidsstrategy.org insisting that the United States develop a national AIDS strategy. 

"My country requires other governments to develop a national strategy in order to receive U.S. funds to combat the epidemic - and gives a lot of advice and restrictions on what other countries should do to fight HIV/AIDS. But the U.S. has never had a comprehensive AIDS strategy of its own, even though it committed to such as signatories to the United Nations General Assembly Special Session Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS in 2001," explained Julie Davids, Executive Director of CHAMP. 

"The need for a plan is far more than symbolic. If our nation's capitol, Washington, DC, were a country, its prevalence rate would be on par with that of half of the nations in Sub-Saharan Africa. Across the country, 46% of Black gay men are infected, and we are failing to get AIDS treatment and care to half of those who need it," she concluded. 

AIDS2008.com is currently disseminating global action alerts. Beginning July 21, AIDS2008.com will be a home for community bloggers and journalists reporting from and about the International AIDS Conference in Mexico. 

Beginning July 21, AIDS2008.com will be the home for community bloggers and journalists reporting from and about the International AIDS Conference in Mexico. Until then, be sure to check back here for global action alerts (see below). 

Join the AIDS2008.com effort: 

a. Journalists and Bloggers attending the IAC: apply to be a correspondent for aids2008.com by contacting Cameron Lefevre 
b. Sign up to receive updates about AIDS2008.com 
c. Participate in the dialogue during the IAC, August 3 - 8 by posting to AIDS2008.com from around the world! 

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Tel: 212.937.7955 . Fax: 401.633.7793 . E-mail: champ at champnetwork.org 

www.champnetwork.org 

Julie Davids
Executive Director, Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP)
New York, NY