16th International AIDS Conference, Toronto, Canada -- August 2006
Thousands expected to attend lavish conference, total event cost could provide AIDS treatment to thousands without medical access around the world
August 14, 2006
The latest International AIDS Conference is being held this week in Toronto, Canada (the organizers have a decade old boycott against hosting the event in the U.S., the largest donor to AIDS care in the world, over a policy disagreement).
Thousands are expected to attend, including actors and rock stars and hundreds of U.S. government employees. Yet few scientific breakthroughs are likely to emerge and the total cost of the event could provide AIDS treatment to thousands of people living with HIV around the world with no medical access. The Department of Health and Human Services is sending 78 employees at an expense of $315,000 to the taxpayers this year despite the fact that all presented research is available online.
Toronto Star: “Conference 'irrelevant' to basic scientists; Too much circus, too little science” National Post: “Conference boasts star power like no other health cause” Toronto Sun: “GROUP WILL USE AIDS MEETING TO TAKE AIM AT THE VATICAN OVER ITS TEACHINGS ON THE USE OF CONTRACEPTIVES” Canada NewsWire: “First Medical Marijuana Exhibit at the XVI International AIDS Conference: Canada Leads the Way” Windsor Star: “'Deal with sinners' - Gates: AIDS is top public enemy, tycoon says, and moral stance impedes help” Ottawa Citizen: “[AIDS Conference] Co-chairman goes public with bitter attack on [Canada’s Prime Minister] for lack of leadership”
