The theme of ICASA 1999 was “Looking Into the Future: Setting Priorities for HIV/AIDS in Africa”.

The conference was organised around five scientific tracks: 

Track 1: HIV/AIDS/STDs and the Community

Track 2: HIV/AIDS/STDs and Socio-economic Consequences

Track 3: Determinants of Spread of HIV& STDs and Prevention Interventions

Track 4: Care and Social Support 

Click here for a synthesis of Track 4 discussions, focusing on young people and VCCT 

Track 5: Basic Science and Clinical Care UNICEF executive director, Carol Bellamy, addressed a plenary session of the conference.

Click here for extracts from her address.

UNICEF supported young people’s participation at the 1999 International Conference on AIDS and STDs in Africa. Youth representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Zambia, Namibia and Kenya focused on the issue “Why are young people still getting HIV/AIDS?” This began with an assessment of an HIV/AIDS prevention intervention in their countries where they looked at what information is being provided, who it is reaching (and not reaching) and included recommendations as to how HIV/AIDS programming for young people might be improved.

They then presented their findings at the conference, where they were the only young people to hold a round table at the conference. They presented to a full house and delegates commented on the professional, logical nature of their presentation.  In support of this activity, eighty youth (including the ICASA presenters) from thirteen countries participated in a live chat on Voices of Youth discussing the question ‘Why are young people still getting HIV/AIDS.’ A wealth of information was generated discussing a number of issues including: abstinence, testing for HIV, talking about AIDS with your partner, communication with parents, project relevance.

Click here for a summary sheet developed for ICASA delegates on what young people had to say. 

In Cote d’Ivoire and Kenya UNICEF the young people filmed their experiences in this process, including their findings and recommendations. Their participation at the AIDS Conference was also filmed and this footage will be incorporated in to the production of programming tools on participation.