World AIDS Day, 1 December 2010 - events in Brussels

Light for Rights – Universal Access, Human Rights

Programme of activities and events in Brussels

30 November

10:30-11:30: Parliamentary hearing on AIDS and human rights
This event is organised at the Human Rights Sub-committee of the European Parliament with support of Stop AIDS Alliance, in follow up to the Parliament’s resolution on an EU human rights based response to HIV/AIDS. Speakers include Henning Mikkelsen, UNAIDS, Robinson Cabello, Via Libre (Peru), Katherine Todrys, Human Rights Watch, Jean-Claude Boidin, European Commission and a representative of the Belgian EU Presidency (TBC). For registration and more information, contact Arben Fetai ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) before 25 November. Venue: European Parliament

14:00: Conference: "With Migrants for Migrants: Improving HIV Prevention for All"
This conference is organized by the International Organization for Migration in the framework of the “AIDS & Mobility Europe 2007-2011 project, and is hosted by the  European United Left–Nordic Green Left Group of the European Parliament. Focusing on the challenge of AIDS as a fundamental health problem in Europe, also affecting the migrant populations, the conference will also serve as a networking and dissemination event of the AIDS & Mobility 2007-2010 project funded by the European Commission. Light lunch is served from 13:00. For registration and more information, contact Philipp Schlüter pschlü This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Venue: European Parliament, Room 5B 001.

17:00-20:00. Painting Exhibition "The Masks also speak"
Since 2003, ESDIA (Echos séropos d’Ici et d’Ailleurs) asbl, a Belgian association involves migrant populations in WAD activities by organising shows and events that promote their interests. African migrants primarily, without excluding the multicultural public with whom they cohabit, are ESDIA’s target audience. This year, ESDIA marks WAD by launched its new campaign, "Down the masks". The campaign will be inaugurated by the opening of the exhibition of the painter Fatoumata Sidibé entitled "The masks also speak", in the presence of the artist who will present her works. For more information, contact Maïté Cuvelier at ESDIA asbl ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Venue: Inzia Restaurant, 37 rue de la Paix, Ixelles

1 December

8:00 - 15:00. Awareness raising activities
Belgian associations engaged in the fight against AIDS will distribute red ribbons to commuters and inform them about HIV/AIDS at following metro and train stations: Central, North, South, West, Arts-Loi, Simonis, Louise, Porte de Namur, Montgomery, De Brouckère, Alma and St. Guidon. For more information, contact Thierry Martin ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) at Plate-Forme Prévention SIDA or visit http://www.preventionsida.org/v2/357.

13:00-14:30. Scientific seminar on HIV testing in Europe
Estimated 30% of people infected with HIV in Europe are unaware of their infection. Organized by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the seminar will bring together leading European HIV experts and EU policy makers to discuss the importance and benefits of an increased uptake of HIV testing, not only for the individual but for the public health community. During the seminar ECDC will launch its new HIV testing guidance to support countries in improving national HIV testing strategies. Speakers include Marina Yannakoudakis, Member of the European Parliament; John Dalli, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy; Laurette Onkelinx, Belgian Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health, for the Belgian EU Presidency, Marc Sprenger, ECDC Director, Marita van de Laar, ECDC and Nikos Dedes, European AIDS Treatment Group. A standing lunch buffet is available from 12:30. For registration and more information, contact Carokine Daamen at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Venue: European Parliament, Altiero Spinelli Building, room A1G-3.

15:00-16:30. Conference: Fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa Comprehensively and Effectively.
In Botswana estimated 17% of the 2 million population are living with HIV. In 2001 the Government of Botswana implemented with Gates Foundation and Merck&Co the African comprehensive HIV/AIDS partnerships (ACHAP). This public private partnership paved the way for a healthcare infrastructure which now provides for the HIV/AIDS treatment of about 130.000 people, covering more than 80% of those in need. This event organized by the German Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (vfa) will highlight Botswana’s success in the fight against HIV/AIDS as a possible blueprint for African countries and discuss the of role public-private-partnerships in the next decade. Speakers include Themba Moeti, ACHAP, Boris Azaïs, Merck & Co., Michael Rabbow, Boehringer Ingelheim and Henning Mikkelsen, UNAIDS. For registration latest 25 November and more information, contact Petra Janke-Scmidt, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Venue: European Parliament, Altiero Spinelli Building, room A5G-1.

17:00-19:00. Light for Rights Projection Mapping
Belgian associations engaged in the fight against AIDS will be organising visibility actions in the centre of Brussels under the Light for Rights theme, notably light effects on the fronting of Central Station. Other entertainments will include DJ, live painting by Denis Meyers, creation of banners, bar, expo, flying lanterns, fire eaters, etc. For more information, contact Thierry Martin  ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) at Plate-Forme Prévention SIDA. Venue: Carrefour de l'Europe (in front of Central Station)

17:30: Opening of the Photographic Exhibition "The Neglected"
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, will open the photographic exhibition “The Neglected” which will be hosted at the Berlaymont building from 1-17 December. The exhibition portrays the impact of the world fastest growing HIV epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, illustrating the harsh reality of the most vulnerable and neglected people living with HIV or at high risk for HIV infection in the region. Commemorating World AIDS Day and highlighting the theme of “Universal Access and Human Rights”, the photo exhibition is organized by the Directorate for Research of the European Commission in collaboration with the AIDS Foundation East-West and the photographer David Gillander. The opening event is upon invitation only. For information , please contact Alessandra Martini at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Venue: Berlaymont building, 1^st floor hall.

19:00. March and rally of solidarity with people living with HIV
Under samba rhythms, Belgian associations will be organising a march and rally of solidarity with people living with HIV. The march will be starting at Carrefour de l'Europe at 19:00 to end at 19:45 at the Grand-Place with a release of balloons in front of a mural painting symbolising the fight against AIDS. A reception will follow from 20:00 onwards at the Brussels City Hall to present a patchwork of names and messages of solidarity to remember those who died from AIDS, but also of hope for people living with HIV and their families. For more information, contact Thierry Martin ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) at Plate-Forme Prévention SIDA. Venue: Carrefour de l'Europe and Grand-Place.

19:00. "The HIV Positive Night" Buffet
ESDIA (Echos séropos d’Ici et d’Ailleurs) asbl, as part of their "Down the masks" campaign, will be organising their traditional “HIV Positive Night” buffet in solidarity with people living with HIV, starting at 19:00 on 1 December 2010 at Restaurant Inzia in Matonge.  An African musical group will be entertaining the participants. For more information and for booking, contact Maïté Cuvelier at ESDIA asbl ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or Restaurant Inzia at 02 513 81 67. Venue: Inzia Restaurant, 37 rue de la Paix, Ixelles