The Global Campaign for Microbicides (GCM), in close partnership with the African Microbicide Advocacy Group (AMAG), the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC), the International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA) and the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force (PATF), held a free, day-long pre-conference workshop before the start of the official opening ceremony of the 2010 International Microbicides Conference (M2010).

Dr. Salim Abdool Karim (pictured above) of the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) gave the keynote speech, guiding participants through an overview of HIV prevention research science and advocacy. Afterward, Gus Cairns of NAM/aidsmap moderated a panel discussion to discuss "Hot Issues in HIV Prevention Research & What They Mean on the Ground". Panelists included: Nono Eland, Treatment Action Campaign (South Africa); Sylvester Simayaba, Women's Empowerment Project (Zambia); Pedro Gonzalez, IMPACTA (Peru); Kate Morrow, Brown University (US); and Bobby Ramakant, Citizen News Service (India).

The pre-conference workshop also featured array of thematic skills-building sessions including an introduction to new prevention technologies and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a short course on prevention research literacy and ethics, and training on advocacy and campaign building. See the pre-conference program for further details.

 
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The Global Campaign for Microbicides, along with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is hosted a satellite symposium “Standards of Prevention in HIV Prevention Trials" to debate and discuss this key ethical and practical question regarding the design and implementation of clinical trials.

Featured at the satellite was the newly published report, Standards of Prevention in HIV Prevention Trials.

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Coming Soon

The Microbicides Media and Communications Initiative (MMCI), in partnership with
Family Health International (FHI) and the Global Campaign for Microbicides (GCM), invite hosted a launch of the Communications Handbook for Clinical Trials.

The event featured a lively program with leading investigators, communications experts, trial sponsors, advocates and donors to celebrate this new, valuable resource for the field.

About the Handbook: The Communications Handbook for Clinical Trials is a practical guide developed for site-level microbicide researchers, communicators, advocates and others working on HIV prevention trials in developing countries. A truly collaborative project, the Handbook includes context-specific case studies and practical insights from actual clinical trial communications initiatives, including contributions from CAPRISA, CDC, CONRAD, FHI, GCM, IPM, iPrEx, MTN, Partners in Prevention, Population Council, and others.

Download the Communications Handbook for Clinical Trials now!

The Global Campaign for Microbicides, the African Microbicides Advocacy Group, AVAC: Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention, the International Rectal Microbicide Advocates, the New HIV Vaccine and Microbicide Advocacy Society, the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force, and the University of Pittsburgh hosted the M2010 Advocates' Corner--a networking and information-sharing space held throughout the M2010 Conference. The "Corner" was an interactive and particpatory area where delegates representing community, advocacy, and civil society came to dialogue, exchange ideas, network, build solidarity, relax, and socialize.  The Advocates’ Corner also hosted a program of activities including lunchtime dialogues with advocates and researchers on a variety of scientific and community issues. A special reception the evening of Sunday, 23 May celebrated IRMA's new report, From Promise to Product: Advancing Rectal Microbicide Research and Advocacy, and the Omololu Falobi Award for Excellence in HIV Prevention Research Community Advocacy. 

See the full program of activities

The Microbicide Media and Communications Initiative (MMCI) Secretariat, housed at the Global Campaign of Microbicides, sponsored a training and resource center at the Microbicides 2010 Conference.  At the center, communications specialists from AVAC, CONRAD, FHI, GCM, GHS, IRMA, Population Council, SA MRC, and others provided specialized 20-30-minute communication consultations to microbicide researchers, trial staff, and advocates. Individualized sessions focused on the following areas:

• Media interviewing skills and mock interviews (may be videotaped)
• How to develop a communications plan
• Developing and delivering key messages
• Developing media strategies

Additionally, short "Media Skills On The Go" sessions were held during the breaks. These power-packed sessions provided quick, practical tips and advice on how to work effectively with the media. Trainings included:

• How to pitch the media
• How to handle tough interview questions
• How to include trial participants in your media activities

Interested in improving your communications skills? Download the Communications Handbook for Clinical Trials now!