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 Microbicides 200428-31 March 2004, Hilton London MetropoleThe conference42 million men, women and children worldwide were living with HIV by the end of December 2002 (source: UNAIDS), including five million newly-infected during that year alone. Another 45 million people will become infected between 2002 and 2010, unless the current transmission rates can be vastly reduced. Of the 42 million, 29.4 million live in sub-Saharan Africa and 58% of them are women. Not only are women more susceptible to HIV infection, many are powerless to insist on the use of condoms or other methods of protecting themselves. In this context, and with the knowledge that an effective HIV vaccine is unlikely to be available for several years, the need for an effective topical microbicide grows ever more urgent. 2004 should prove to be a landmark year in the field of microbicide development as the first Phase III trials of novel products are due to start – the next step along the road to making a microbicide available to the millions worldwide in desperate need of protection.The aims of the Microbicides 2004 conference are to:Report novel or innovative work in the microbicides fieldProvide updates on recent microbicides research, divided into three tracks: basic science, clinical science, and behavioural science (including public health and the microbicide marketplace)Provide a forum for the discussion of new developments in microbicide research including ethical, clinical, behavioural and methodological issuesPresent opportunities for knowledge-sharing between microbicide researchers, public-health workers and advocacy organisations.There will be an opening ceremony on the evening of Sunday 28 March at which politicians, policy makers and the international media are expected. The conference will run for a full three days, each of which will contain:Scientific overviews and presentations with plenary sessions, invited lecturers and presentations of original researchWorkshops to review issues unique to microbicides such as trial design and outcome measures, and ethical issues in the clinical trials of microbicidesPoster sessions. Focus on LondonFollowing the successful Microbicides conferences in Washington in 2000 and Antwerp in 2002, March 2004 sees the focus move to London.The venue is the Hilton Metropole Hotel, two minutes by taxi from Paddington station and the Heathrow Express, with a journey time from the airport of 15 minutes. The hotel is in walking distance of Hyde Park and London’s main shopping streets, and close to Imperial College. Accommodation will be available at the venue and other hotels in the vicinity.London in March offers a variety of diversions for out-of-conference relaxation, including sight-seeing and shopping; the arts and the theatre; and pubs, clubs and restaurants to suit every taste. Conference staff will be on hand to help delegates plan their spare time.To book your place or find out more information, e-mail info@microbicides2004.org.uk or telephone the Event Office on +44 (0) 20 7720 4411
Sunday 28 March Monday 29 March Tuesday 30 March Wednesday 31 March

Sunday 28 March: 1430-1600
Networking Event

The International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS and Positively Women would like to welcome all HIV positive women attending Microbicides 2004 to a networking event on Sunday 28th March, between 2.30pm and 4.00pm. We look forward to meeting with you all, having an opportunity to discuss microbicide-related issues of key importance for HIV positive women and developing a strategy for the conference which will enable us to ensure that these issues are highlighted. Please contact Fiona Pettitt at fpettitt@icw.org if you would like to attend this event.

Venue: Lecture Theatre, 1st floor, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Building, St Mary's Hospital, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, following directly on from the Microbicides Overview for Advocates.

If you are not attending the Microbicides Overview for Advocates, please register for Microbicides 2004 at the Hilton Metropole before coming to this reception.

Those attending this meeting must register for Microbicides 2004 between 1200 and 1600, before the opening ceremony and all those with posters must have them in place by 1600 at the latest.

Monday 29 March: 1230-1400
African Microbicides Advocacy Group (AMAG) consultation: Priority issues and actions in Microbicides Advocacy in Africa

The African Microbicides Advocacy Group (AMAG) invites you to a consultation on Issues and Actions in Microbicides Advocacy in Africa, at the upcoming International Microbicides 2004 Conference in London.

We are a small but growing group of committed advocates from a wide range of backgrounds including activists, researchers, scientists, policy makers, service providers and programme mangers. We are gearing up for concerted and collective advocacy action to push the Microbicides agenda in a way that recognises our context and perspectives as advocates in Africa.

WHEN: Monday 29 March 2004
12.30 - 14.00 p.m.

WHERE: Microbicides 2004 Conference, London
(Exact venue to be announced later)

A light lunch will be served

CONSIDER YOURSELF AN ADVOCATE AND BE THERE TO MOVE THE AFRICAN MICROBICIDES AGENDA FORWARD!!!

Mark your calendars!

To reserve a space & for more information, contact:
Promise Mthembu Email: pmthembu@icw.org

Manju Chatani Email: mchatani@internetghana.com