Case Study: Caribbean Networking Zone, AIDS 2006

The Caribbean Networking Zone at AIDS2006 was organized by two prominent coalitions of regional organizations: The Caribbean Harm Reduction Coalition and the Coalition of Caribbean Vulnerable Communities. As the coalitions only came together two months before the conference, and the budget was limited, things were very rushed. All coalition members and all National AIDS Program Coordinators were invited to help staff the booth and donate materials.

Key elements of the space included a T-shirt wall, posters of research on Caribbean HIV issues, the distribution of HIV literature from all over the region, a chill out zone with a computer hooked to the Internet, a bulletin board where people could leave notes for others, and of course lots of Caribbean music.

The Zone was considered a major success. Accomplishments were that it brought together all the different regional groups in one common space allowing them to connect, network and share experience; it showed what Caribbean civil society was doing to respond to HIV/AIDS; and, showed their national governments that Community could organize a space without government help and that it was nicer, friendlier and with more spirit that the official Caribbean space inside the formal Conference.  Indeed, an unanticipated outcome was that the Zone became a place where politicians and officials interacted informally with civil society and community.

The Prime Minister of St Kitts (who has since come out to support decriminalizing sex work and the repeal of the buggery laws) visited our Zone. The Assistant Secretary General of CARICOM passed a few times. The Chancellor of the University of the West Indies and former Director of PAHO came by and after a discussion on prisons said how he learned something new and would advocate for a standard of health care in prisons comparable to that of the general population. The Minister of Health of Saint Vincent was a regular visitor. As for the rank and file of Caribbean people - they all came and limed, our PLWHA community came and limed, our NGOs, our academics, our Diaspora community all came and enjoyed the flavour. It was unbelievable.

Marcus Day, Coordinator, Caribbean Networking Zone

The organizers felt that it was definitely worth the effort and they are already planning for a bigger and better funded Caribbean Networking Zone for AIDS 2008. The hope is that in Mexico there will be a stage for live entertainment and speakers, and they will have scheduled group sessions where specific populations can meet to meet and discuss issues. They also hope to have food and drinks that showcase Caribbean culture and offer food support to their PLHIVs.