Bali, August 7 2009: As a 3000-strong delegation of HIV experts from 65 countries descends on the Indonesian island of Bali for ICAAP 9, World Vision and partners are preparing to create new networks to keep children safe from the effects of HIV and AIDS.

An ICAAP satellite event held jointly by the Coalition on Children Affected by AIDS (CCABA), UNICEF, World Vision and other child-focused agencies, will explore how to improve coordination of HIV interventions specific to children.

The event will connect the theme for ICAAP 9, "Empowering People, Strengthening Networks," to the often under-resourced issue of children affected by HIV and AIDS.

An estimated five million people are living with HIV and AIDS in the Asia-Pacific. While several countries can show success in curbing the spread of the virus, other emerging hotspots like Papua New Guinea and Indonesia's West Papua region reveal that the struggle is far from over.

Children and youth are among the most vulnerable groups, both in contracting the virus and in facing its effects - stigma, isolation, bereavement and crushing household poverty.

World Vision has been calling for targeted HIV interventions to protect children including improved prevention of mother to child transmission as well as better education and life skills for teenagers. In 2007, UNFPA estimated 1.28 million young people (under 22) had already contracted the virus.

In addition, World Vision will highlight the vital role that community leaders must take in addressing the detrimental effects of HIV-related stigma. As well as increasing children's vulnerability to neglect, community stigma contributes the spread of HIV and AIDS because of the fear of being tested.

Dr Kyi Minn, World Vision's regional HIV and AIDS advisor and a speaker at the event, said today that the current economic climate was no reason to scale down community advocacy on the issue.

"This year has been difficult with the financial crisis and budget limitations. Despite the downturn, all actors can still keep prevention and response on their agenda," he said.

ICAAP, or the International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, is held every two years to establish clear paths for HIV prevention in the region. ICAAP 9 runs from 9 to 13 August.

For more information:

On ICAAP 9:
http://www.icaap9.org/

On World Vision's HIV and AIDS programmes in the Asia Pacific:
http://wvasiapacific.org/hivandaids/

Spokespeople for World Vision at ICAAP:

Regional:

Dr Kyi Minn, Regional HIV and AIDS Advisor
kyi_minn@wvi.org
Mobile: (+95) 9515 5247

Dr Minn's career with World Vision in HIV and health has spanned well over a decade, with responsibilities and research throughout the Asia Pacific. Currently based in Myanmar, Dr Minn advises on both health and advocacy interventions to address the impact of HIV and AIDS in the region.

Laurence Gray, Regional Advocacy Advisor
laurence_gray@wvi.org
Mobile: (+66) 8 1845 2807

Laurence Gray advises on child protection responses in eighteen countries regionally as well as supporting strategies to integrate advocacy approaches with programming and development agendas. His commitment to addressing HIV and AIDS has led to the issue becoming a strategic priority in the region.

National:

Cambodia: Richard Pooley, HIV and AIDS Programme Director
richard_pooley@wvi.org
Mobile: (+855) 1296 8481

With HIV prevention and care one of Cambodia's most pressing issues, Richard Pooley heads up a team of national specialists who partner with government and local agencies on a variety of programmes including public health campaigns, healthcare support and child protection.

India: Daisy David, Coordinator - HIV and AIDS
daisy_david@wvi.org
Mobile: (+91) 99716 00211

Daisy David has worked for many years in HIV affected communities, and is in particular an advocate for the rights and protection of women living with HIV and AIDS.

Indonesia: Dr Adhi Sanjaya, Regional Advocacy Policy Advisor, Health and HIV and AIDS
adi_sanjaya@wvi.org
Mobile: +62 811 110 9652

Dr Adhi's strong background in medical healthcare is now being applied to HIV and AIDS in his current regional role. Dr Adhi can comment on existing health policy as well as identify national spokespeople to comment on Indonesia's HIV situation.