5 Reasons why we're excited for #AIDS2018

From the 23rd to the 27th of July, MTV Shuga and the MTV Staying Alive Foundation will be attending the 22nd International AIDS Conference.

The conference is the largest meeting related to global health or development issues on the planet.My heart is shouting all of the “Yasssses!” because events like these usually result in constructive conversations around HIV/AIDS. While we’ve made progress, we need still have many challenges to overcome.Today, HIV is an illness that is claiming lives, robbing people’s spirits and pushing those who have the illness into dark spaces of marginalisation and stigmatisation.

As well as our fam at the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, we’re going to have members of our very own #Shugafam attending. Stephanie Sandows (Who plays ‘Tsholo’ on MTV Shuga: Down South) and Given Stuurman (who plays 'Reggie’) will be representing us at this year’s International AIDS Conference.

The first International AIDS Conference took place in 1985 and this year’s edition will be held in Amsterdam. Along with a selection of exciting key-note speeches, engaging programmes and informative workshops, we’ve highlighted five things you can look forward to at this year’s IAC!

Given and Stephanie will be Representing SA

In South Africa - a country with a population upwards of 55 million people -  an estimated 7,203,313 people were living with HIV/AIDS in 2017 (according to this report by PEPFAR). This doesn’t include the number of people who have never disclosed their status.

I think Stephanie Sandows and Given Stuurman will be two great representatives, not only for the Shugafam but for South Africa as a whole. We are confident that they will be able to paint an accurate picture of how the illness is affecting lives in Mzansi, while using their experiences from the show to educate the masses further.

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2018’s theme is: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges

There has often been disconnect between policies and their execution in everyday life. Sometimes there is a lack of accountability from stakeholders who are looking to fight HIV and AIDS.

However, 2018’s International AIDS Conference will be inviting changemakers from across the world; people who understand that the fight against AIDS continues after this week ends. We are looking forward to meeting many agents of change who will take the learnings from these 5 days into their respective communities to do what we all want to see: make a real difference. We are looking forward to breaking barriers around the world and building bridges for those without access.

There Will Be A Global Village And Youth Programme

This programme is aimed at creating a space where people from all over the world gather to meet, share and learn from each other. These programmes will be a mix of scientific sessions, cultural events, live performances, networking opportunities, NGO stands, marketplace booths, and art exhibitions.

It’s a space created where each one can teach one.  A concept like this one reminds me of the African expression,“it takes a village to raise a child”.

Exciting Engagement Tours

The Engagement Tours will offer delegates progressive learning experiences through interactive site visits to local community-based organizations in Amsterdam. The aim is for there to be an exchange of knowledge, sharing good practices, learning from each other’s successes, hearing about different challenges that have been faced and swapping different solutions through dialogue and hands-on activities.

High Profile Guests

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From the likes of Elton John and Charlize Theron to former US-President Bill Clinton, to our very own Georgia Arnold - we are expecting to meet some influential individuals at this year’s International AIDS conference. Each session will be an opportunity to learn more about the work that people are doing to fight HIV around the world.

You can find out more about this year’s International AIDS conference by clicking on this link, which will take you to the official IAC website. Look out for coverage from #AIDS2018 by using the hashtag and following us on social media:
@MTVShuga (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
@MTVStayingAlive (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)