The Conference´s Legacy
Since the previous Conference held in 2021, EACS has been dedicated to making a meaningful impact on both the city and its resident where the European AIDS Conference is hosted, all thanks to our innovative Legacy Project, inspired and led by the conference co-chairs and the local community.
The primary objective of this initiative is to create a sustained, positive influence that extends far beyond the confines of the Conference itself.
Our focus is on benefiting the medical community, the local population, and the city of Warsaw in ways that endure over time.
Notably, this project seeks to play a pivotal role in advancing healthcare not only in HIV but also in related fields.
With great enthusiasm, we are pleased to unveil the activities that will run concurrently with the 19th European AIDS Conference, outside of the scientific programme.
The following events are under the EACS auspices as a Legacy Project:
You are warmly invited to the gala concert Living free with HIV.
Wednesday, 18 October, 22:00.
Klub Niebo, 21 Nowy Świat St. in Warsaw.
Admission reservation 10 EUR: https://pozytywniwteczy.pl/koncert/
Donations can be made with credit cards, on the spot at the club, before the event.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to prevention activities in the LGBTQ community in Poland.
HIV can affect anyone, so everyone should get tested. To remind Poles of this, the Polish Foundation for Humanitarian Aid 'Res Humanae' and Gilead Sciences organise a special event every year on the occasion of the World AIDS Day: red ribbons are flashed on the facades of city buildings. There are also posters on the streets encouraging to tests for HIV. The ribbon has already been flashed in almost every major Polish city, including Gdańsk, Gdynia, Kraków, Łódź, Poznań, Szczecin, Toruń, Wrocław and Warsaw, where it can be admired every year.
In the heart of Warsaw city centre, this significant event will take place on the evenings of 18th, 19th, and 20th October after dark as an accompanying event to the important conference.
Medical University of Warsaw contributes to 19th European AIDS Conference in Warsaw 2023 by supporting HIV_week@WUM initiative proposed by students. Educational activities will be conducted at the thematic stand at the University's Didactic Center from 18 - 21 October 2023. About 500 HIV self-tests will be distributed among students as part of "learning by doing" experience, along with providing information on indications for HIV testing and U=U message.
Since 2017, the Foundation for Social Education has been the only organisation in Poland to offer integrated HIV, HCV and syphilis testing combined with injection equipment exchange for substance users. During EACS 2023, our camper will be standing in front of Expo XXI offering free testing and the opportunity to learn more about our activities. The project is carried out in partnership with the PREKURSOR Foundation.
From Wednesday 18 October to Friday 20 October, you can visit our Mobile Harm Reduction Service - the camper will be standing at the entrance to Expo XXI.
From 10.00 to 18.00 you can visit us and do free and anonymous tests for HIV, HCV, syphilis and exchange equipment.
The project is carried out in cooperation with the PREKURSOR Foundation, the City of Warsaw, the National Centre for Drug Prevention and GSK/ViiV.
In April 2022, the Capital City of Warsaw signed the Paris Declaration and joined the international Fast-Track Cities (FTC) initiative as first Polish city. The Fast-Track Cities initiative is a global partnership between cities and municipalities around the world and four core partners – the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and the City of Paris. For more information, click here.
IFMSA-Poland, part of the International Federation of Medical Students Associations with 1.3 million global members, focuses on local engagement, global research, and public health campaigns. Notable initiatives include "Streetcar Named Desire," raising HIV awareness and supporting those with the virus, gaining international recognition.
IFMSA operated in 16 major Polish cities, with special buses in Warsaw for Juvenalia, offering education, free condoms, and souvenirs. During conferences, we provide transportation experiences educating on STI prevention, reproductive health, and infectious diseases by our consultants resembling ticket control officers.
SCHEDULE AND ROUTE
18 October 2023
Route: "Foksal" Bus Stop - EXPO XXI "Prądzyńskiego 02 bus stop" - Foksal" Bus Stop
Bus departure times: 19:00, 19:50
20 October 2023
Route: "Nowy Świat 01" Bus Stop to EXPO XXI "Prądzyńskiego 02 bus stop" - Nowy Świat 01" Bus Stop
Bus departure times: 19:00, 19:50
The bus will operate a round-trip route, shuttling passengers between either 'Foksal' or 'Nowy Świat 01' and EXPO XXI on the dates specified above.
19 October, 19:00 at Muranów Cinema, Andersa 5, 00-147 Warsaw, Poland (TBC)
A powerful examination of the experiences of people who are living with HIV in Ireland today, How to Tell A Secret is a hybrid documentary film that looks at social stigma and the art of telling your story.
Robbie Lawlor was diagnosed with HIV at 21 and became one of the youngest people to come out on Irish television. Enda McGrattan, also known as Veda, promised to keep their HIV status a secret for a decade but eventually broke free by releasing a song. And a group of Irish and migrant women, who cannot show their faces, found creative ways to have their voices heard...
Mark your calendars for Saturday, 21 October and get ready to make a difference! Lace up your running shoes for the "Living Free with HIV" run, taking place after the closing ceremony of the European AIDS Conference 2023 in Warsaw.
This 5 km run and 5 km walk/nordic walk along the scenic Vistula River will not only promote a healthy lifestyle but also support the fight against HIV stigma and discrimination.
Part of the registration fees will go to NGOs in Poland, making this event a charity run as well.
You can also register on-site at the conference at "Life4me+" booth. Let's make a powerful statement against stigma and discrimination together!
