IAS Principles and Values of Conference Participation

---

The conference endorses freedom of expression as an essential principle in the fight against HIV/AIDS and in promoting full participation in our conferences. The combined efforts of all stakeholders in the public and private sectors and civil society are required to halt and reverse the AIDS pandemic. Activism and advocacy contribute to advancing commitment, policy and practice aimed at ending the epidemic.

The right to participate at an IAS-supported conference is fundamental to ensuring open dialogue between all stakeholders. The IAS encourages debate and dialogue as key elements of participation, among all conference participants including delegates, sponsors, speakers and presenters, researchers and scientists, community representatives, leaders and the media.

Peaceful protest has always been and continues to be a key element of participation at the conferences. The IAS opposes the destruction of property or the use or threat of physical force by any individual or group of individuals during the conferences. The IAS opposes the disruption of conference sessions or satellite meetings that results in the inability for dialogue and debate to take place. 

General Principles

• Responsibility: All participants attending a conference are subject to the laws applicable in the country of the location. By attending a conference, participants also agree to adhere to these Principles and Values of Conference Participation.
   
• Support: The conference will provide support and space for meaningful participation including community involvement to enable a broad spectrum of viewpoints.
   
• Peaceful protest is a form of participation supported at the conference. Action that involves the use or threat of physical force or the destruction of property, may contravene the laws of the country of location.
   
• Prior Resolution: These Principles are intended to guide the conference organizers response to actual disruptions that prevent participation. The IAS encourages dialogue among and with participants prior to action that may result in disruption of participation. Advice and assistance in facilitating dialogue and resolution and in preventing or de-escalating a disruption will be available.
   
• Accreditation: The conference reserves the right to withdraw the name badge, and therefore deny access, to participants who do not adhere to these Principles. Additional information and the full statement will be available at the on-site registration counter.
   

Procedures involving Disruptions within Sessions and Satellite Meetings, the Exhibition Hall and Conference Centre

1. Session Slide: In session halls, a slide will be available which reads “Please respect the right of the speaker to be heard and of other participants to hear the speaker.” In the event of verbal disruption, the Chair of the session may signal the audio visual technician to display the slide. The slide may remain displayed until the disruption has died down. If there are further disruptions, the slide may be displayed again.
    
2. Engagement Representative: It is recommended that all exhibitors designate a representative for engaging in dialogue with peaceful protestors prior to any situation arising.
    
3. Application of the law: The conference participants are subject to the laws applicable in the host country. Physical force or threats of physical force or destruction of property by conference participants will be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the country. In addition, the response may include the escorting of participants from the conference venue.
    
4. Withdrawal of Accreditation: In the event of disruption or action that does not respect these Principles, the conference may withdraw a participant’s accreditation and name badge and suspend or cancel the participant’s access to the conference.
    
5. Accreditation Appeal: If a conference participant feels that he or she has been wronged in the withdrawal of his or her accreditation, the participant will have 24 hours to appeal to the conference organizers for reinstatement of the accreditation. Appeals will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
    
6. Public statement: In the event that property is destroyed or physical force is used or threatened by a participant, the IAS may issue a statement concerning the action within the framework of the Principles and Values of Conference Participation.
    

Other Procedures and Measures for Supporting Participation

The conference will offer or provide other measures to support or facilitate meaningful participation.

Sessions Participation: The conference programme will include features in conference sessions and activities to provide opportunities for various viewpoints to be expressed and for dissenting voices to be heard, as key elements of the IAS commitment to enhanced participation and dialogue.

Prior Dialogue and Consultation: The IAS encourages dialogue among and with participants prior to the conference and prior to any action that is contemplated and that might result in disruption of participation. The IAS will consult with activist and advocacy organizations, sponsors and local partner, and other participants on policies and measures to increase and facilitate participation.

Networking and Meeting Space: AIDS 2010 will provide space in the conference venue to facilitate and support dialogue, discussion, and networking. These spaces include a meeting room, a lounge for persons living with HIV/AIDS (PHA lounge), and informal networking areas or zones, etc.

Community Activist Liaison: The conferences will provide support for dialogue and participation through a team of Community Activist Liaison Facilitators who will provide advice and assistance in advance of, and during the conference. This team will consult with activist organizations and individuals, as well as community co-organizers and programme committee members, to identify those conference sessions that are most likely to generate or attract peaceful protest and dissent.

Activist Support Space: The International AIDS Conference will provide local space near but separate from the conference venue, as a planning, coordinating and networking space for meaningful participation of community activist and advocacy participants and their organizations.

Security Policy: AIDS 2010 will develop a conference security plan and/or policy that will be available to sponsors, exhibitors, activists and others interested in promoting conference participation in a safe, secure environment.

Security Advisory Committee: The International AIDS Conference will also have a Security Advisory Committee which will serve as a forum for conference sponsors, exhibitors, co-organizers and activists to share information and views and provide advice on the conference security policy and related matters, in advance of the conference.