The XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna will begin in less than 3 days. The ‘Keep it Global!’ campaign is an event of key importance to the LAC region.

This campaign aims to attract the attention of Global Fund Board Members and donors to the continuing challenges faced in countries that are not eligible, or may soon lose eligibility, to apply for Global Fund grants. The current eligibility criteria is up for review at the next Global Fund board meeting in December. This is our opportunity to insist that the Fund be kept Global!

The campaign is being led by the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, a region which like LAC is characterised by middle-income countries with concentrated epidemics. More information about this campaign is available here.

«Keep it Global!» – is a call to all Global Fund Board Members and donors that everyone should have access to prevention and treatment regardless of what country they live in! The review of the Global Fund eligibility criteria must ensure that all countries in need of funding are eligible to apply!

What role can you play?

• Pick up a scarf with the symbols of this campaign and wear it during the conference in any way you feel comfortable: on your head, arm, leg or controversially around  your neck (!) just make sure that it’s VISIBLE. The scarves will be available at the Eastern Europe and Central Asia stand in the Global Village in the Tea Zone

• Wear your scarf to the following meetings:

· 19 July 08.30 – 10.30: Plenary Session, Session Room 1

· 20 July 16.30 – 18.00: Symposium, Session Room 1

· 21 July 14.30 – 16.00: Symposium, Session Room 1

· 22 July 11.00 – 12.30: Regional Session, Session Room 2

• Tell all your friends and colleagues about the campaign – this concerns all of us. Even if  your country has access to Global Fund funding today, what will happen next year?

• Find out more about this campaign and how you can participate and visit the Eastern Europe and Central Asia stand in the Global Village in the Tea Zone.

• If you’d like to volunteer for the Campaign, distribute fliers, wave the flag (!), please write to the organising committee: masha@haf-spb.org