Attracting thousands of people from across the Asia Pacific region, the conference provided the opportunity to draw attention to STOP HIV, showcase the work of ONOC and learn from latest research findings and practices throughout the Asia Pacific Region.
STOP HIV Program Manager, Joanna Ferris attended the conference and was was able to link up with others in the region including HIV Ambassador for Hope Peter Momo who has been working closely with the HIV prevention through sport committee in PNG. Although the sessions that focused on reaching youth recognised the need for innovative, youth friendly, fun initiatives the existing programs tended towards arts, theatre, radio, IT and peer education but sport was largely overlooked. STOP HIV was able to draw attention to sport as an underutilized avenue for HIV prevention in the region and share with other youth focused prevention initiatives some of the lessons we have learnt.
STOP HIV was acknowledged and praised by the UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassadors, drew much attention from conference delegates wanting to understand the link between sport and HIV and, being set up in the Pacific House raised awareness and improved links and partnerships with people and organisations working on HIV within the region.
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