The International Working Group on HIV & AIDS (IIWGHA) is pleased to announce the International Indigenous Pre-Conference on HIV & AIDS taking place this summer in Washington, DC.  This is an innovative exchange forum where Indigenous service providers, researchers, policy makers, community leaders, and Indigenous people living with HIV come together to share and learn.  Unique and culturally appropriate wise practices in HIV & AIDS service will be explored with the aim to increase the visibility of HIV & AIDS in Indigenous communities across the globe. 

The Pre-Conference immediately precedes the International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012), but is not officially connected to AIDS 2012. 

AGENDA

The conference last from 8:00am - 5:00pm on both July 20th and 21st. The conference agenda includes plenary speakers, panel presentations, breakout workshops, and interactive, small group work.  Workshops will be organized by the following four tracks:

• Lived Experiences of Indigenous People Living with HIV or AIDS
• Cultural and Wise Practices
• Indigenous Policy and Advocacy
• Research, Epidemiology, and Surveillance

A final agenda, and all additional conference logistics will be sent to all registrants prior to the Pre-Conference.

LODGING & CONFERENCE LOCATION

Conference activities will take place at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel. 

There was a limited room block reserved at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel.  Please contact the hotel about room availability, and feel free to contact our reservations agent directly, Cheri Fairchild, Cheri.Fairchild@fourpointsdc.com to make a last minute reservation.  All hotels in DC, including this one, are rapidly selling out, so please contact the hotel for the possiblity of reserving a remaining room VERY SOON. 

This hotel is conveniently located on public transportation lines - 4 blocks from Metro Center, which services the Red, Blue, and Orange Metro lines, and 1.5 blocks from McPherson Square Metro which services both the Blue and Orange lines. 

The hotel is only 3 blocks from the Convention Center - where the activities for the International AIDS Conference will be taking place.   

The closest airport is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which has both Blue and Yellow line Metro access and many taxis that can take you to the hotel.

REGISTRATION

There is a free event - there is no registration fee for this conference, however, there is a limited amount of conference space avaialbe, and therefore registration will be closed once the limit is reached.  So please register as soon as possible.  Please select whether you are a participant or a speaker at the Pre-Conference (if you do not know if you are a speaker yet or not, please register as a participant). 

CULTURAL CELEBRATION

There will be a cultural celebration and round dance taking place the evening of Saturday, July 21st, from 6:30pm-10:00pm at the Eastern Market North Hall, 225 7th Street, SE in DC.  This event is free and open to all Pre-Conference attendees.  Traditional regalia is encouraged for this event.  Additional details will be available at the Pre-Conference.

SPONSORS

IIWGHA would like to thank the generosity of our conference sponsors:

Indian Health Service, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, Office of Minority Health Resource Center