After Durban 2016: The Real Work Happens Now

After a very busy summer, the AIDS 2016 conference may seem like a distant memory. However, it helped to identify the work required of us if we are to reach the fast track treatment targets set for children as well as the Sustainable Development Goal of ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. For the Coalition, our time in Durban was also a unique opportunity to connect with our partners. Through our Symposium, Children and HIV: Equity Now!, we identified and discussed critical issues that must be addressed in order to reach all children in the epidemic. It was great to see many of you there; it was an impressive example of our community’s energy for, and commitment to, reaching all children!

The Coalition broke new ground in Durban when it comes to the needs of children of key populations affected by HIV and AIDS. Read about this work below as well as our upcoming advocacy meeting in Amsterdam.

As is so often the case, the discussions in Durban were only a starting point. The real work happens now and in the months to come. The Coalition hopes to support all of you in your efforts to carry the messages from the Symposium forward and in engaging other stakeholders to help us in our efforts. We have developed several tools to help spread the word about emerging evidence, promising programs, and, most importantly, the pressing needs facing children and adolescents living with and affected by HIV and AIDS and we encourage you to make use of them in the ways you deem most appropriate.

The presentations shared at the Symposium are available online. In addition to reviewing and sharing this information, you can help by:

Joining the conversation on social media: Follow us on Twitter (@childrenandHIV) and use the #ReachAllChildren hashtag.

Sharing content focused on children & HIV such as:

• Time to Step Up
• HIV-Sensitive Care Force Planning: Action Items to Ensure Support & Resources For Caregivers Of Children Affected By HIV
• EQUITY Special Issue: A Summary of AIDS Care. For your convenience, we have developed summaries for the research articles contained in this issue.

As always, please let us know if you have any questions or feedback. There is much work to do between now and 2030. We look forward to partnering with you to pursue our collective mission!