The PCB begins!

6th Dec

Finally we're off to the meeting. This was the opening ceremony, discussion of the last PCB meeting items and a tabling of the UNAIDS strategy 2011-2015. It was also to get the views and interventions of the delegates. The Executive Directors speech moved me to tears when he spoke about the eleven year old Nigerian girl who said that mothers should not be without treatment. This really touched me. The keynote speech by Dr Francoise Barre-Sinoussi was very enlightening. I had really been looking forward to hearing it. Not disappointed at all. She is absolutely brilliant and so knowledgeable. She spoke on HIV research and I was amazed at the progress that has been made from the time the virus was discovered. It’s just amazing enough that she played a role in the discovery of the virus. This I have to say has been a longer day than I expected it to be. The new strategy was passed though to my relief because I think going back to the working table would be a great drawback. It’s nice though that every delegate was able to express themselves on what they felt about it. There's still a de-briefing about the day’s meeting and a reception. Am beat but strangely still ready to go. I think it's all new and exciting. Glad to be a part of this because I am in a forum where I have a voice in the sense that I can actually put in an intervention through an NGO Delegate or even make an intervention on the floor. It’s all very important stuff. The UNAIDS Strategy for the period 2011-2015 is a very exciting especially because of the emphasis it lays on prevention and also because it takes into account the promotion of human rights and gender equality. Am sure my constituents will be happy to know that the world had time to discuss their needs. It'll really boost their self-esteem.