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AIDS is a plague in Sub-Saharan Africa, the region most affected by the pandemic. Africa’s already high and still rising HIV prevalence rates have dramatic consequences for the continent. While some African countries have succeeded in slowing the spread of the disease, primarily via effective prevention campaigns, prospects for the future remain worrisome.
At the same time, the true extent of the problem of other sexually transmitted infections in Africa today remains unknown, demonstrating the need for a revival of interest in the field.
Senegal has been selected to host for a second time the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA). The 15th ICASA will take place in Dakar from December 3-7. With more than 5,000 delegates from across the globe, ICASA 2008 will be organized by the Society on Aids in Africa (SAA) under the patronage of the Government of Senegal.
The central theme of the 15th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa is: “Africa’s Response: Face the facts”
The 15th ICASA will take place at a key moment in the fight against HIV/AIDS and STIs in Africa. In the last few years, the international community has established numerous initiatives aimed at combating endemic disease in Africa by partnering with local scientific and political institutions, as well as members of the community.
However, even as the fight continues, it is important to stop and evaluate these many initiatives, in order to recognize their contributions, successes and ambitions, as well as to acknowledge their weaknesses and shortfalls. It is time to take stock of political commitments, unfulfilled promises, and actions and practices employed in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
At ICASA 2008, international and African experts will evaluate the current state of the HIV and STI epidemics with regard to science, communities and leadership.
The selection of Dakar, a crossroads in the promotion of research and a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa, assures the quality participation of actors engaged in HIV/AIDS at both the local and international level.
The 15th ICASA promises to be a space of vibrant exchange where academics and community members the world over can gather for careful reflection on various aspects of the disease. As the organizers of ICASA 2008, it is our hope that the conference encourages in each of its participants a commitment to construct a new era of openness and action, and reinforces an unwavering dedication to bettering the lives of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and STIs.
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