Diseases of poverty to be in spotlight at IFGH biennial conference

The biennial conference of the Irish Forum for Global Health (IFGH) to mark the World AIDS Day (1 December) is focussing on the theme of "Partnerships to address health and diseases of poverty challenges." IFGH together with National University of Ireland (NUI) Maynooth and Irish Aid is organizing this two days meet (29-30 November 2010) bringing together experts from all sectors involved and working on global health - in particular, issues affecting the developing world.

The media advisory issued by IFGH says: "The conference will provide an unusual combination of science, research and hands-on projects being implemented by NGOs."

This biennial conference will feature over 50 presentations on a range of issues related to health - from HIV to malaria, from eye health to climate change, from nutrition to health service provision.

The two major highlights of this conference are the coveted lectures: John Kevany Memorial Lecture and 2010 Father Michael Kelly Lecture.

The John Kevany Memorial lecture will be delivered by Dr Zeda Rosenberg, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) and she will speak on "New Science, New Hope: Giving Women Power over HIV/AIDS."

The 2010 Father Michael Kelly Lecture for World AIDS Day will be delivered by Father Michael Kelly on "HIV and AIDS: Accomplishments and enduring challenges." He will be joined by James O'Connor, HIV activist and development manager of Open Heart House, Dublin who will speak on "HIV and AIDS - A positive perspective." James O'Connor is acutely aware of the human cost of living with HIV and AIDS due to his personal experience of AIDS. He is one of the founding HIV positive members of Open Heart House, says the IFGH media advisory.

A new book written by Father Michael Kelly will also be released at this biennial conference, titled "HIV and AIDS: A social justice perspective." (CNS)

Source: Citizen News Service (CNS) – www.citizen-news.org