PI Action alerts & updates ... 2001
North American AIDS Treatment Action Forum (NATAF) Scholarship
Deadline
The following is a reminder email from the National Minority AIDS
Council (NMAC) about the North American AIDS Treatment Action Forum
(NATAF), held in Vancouver from December 2-5, 2001. Project Inform
is a sponsor of this conference and active in planning of the program.
The deadline for scholarship applications is this Friday, August
31 and you can apply online (see info below). This conference is
an excellent opportunity to learn, improve, and share skills and
knowledge to become effective treatment advocates. I encourage all
of you who are interested in attending but need some financial help
to submit a scholarship application.
PLEASE NOTE: While many of the questions on the scholarship form
ask about your agency, applications are especially encouraged from
individuals not association with an agency or organization. Put
“N/A” on the agency questions and focus on the personal
statement section.
NATAF: Scholarship Application Deadline is 6pm (eastern) Aug 31
Conference: December 2-5, 2001, Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre,
Vancouver, Canada
For more information on scholarships: www.nmac.org/nataf/2001/scholarship/scholarship.htm
The 2001 North American AIDS Treatment Action Forum (NATAF) will
be held December 2–5 at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre
Hotel, Vancouver, Canada. The forum is designed to educate individuals
interested in becoming HIV/AIDS advocates and educators; to enhance
their skills and knowledge; and to develop inclusive, national strategies
to ensure the continuity and success of the treatment advocacy movement.
NATAF 2001 is open to anyone interested in broadening their knowledge
of HIV/AIDS research and treatment issues, and learning to use this
knowledge to advocate on behalf of everyone living with HIV/AIDS.
Participants include the volunteers, staff, and board members of
community-based organizations, case managers, social workers, AIDS
educators and outreach workers, pharmaceutical and government representatives,
healthcare professionals and people living with HIV/AIDS.
Scholarship applications will be accepted from all interested parties.
Special consideration will be given to treatment advocates living
with HIV/AIDS and people who are interested in becoming treatment
advocates. Depending on availability, a maximum of one scholarship
per agency will be awarded.
Do not FAX your scholarship application. Faxed applications will
not be considered. Please be sure to complete all required information.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Scholarship Options
Option A - Registration only ($150.00 U.S.)
Option B - Registration($150.00 U.S.), $100.00 U.S. travel credit,
two nights hotel lodging at Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel
($430.00 U.S.)
The forum includes a pre-conference orientation and is divided into
three tracks:
Action Track:
The Action Track combines two tracks from previous years: the Treatment
Activist track and the Public Policy track. This track will provide
information and skills-building necessary to impact how AIDS research
is conducted, and how treatments, vaccines and microbicides are
developed and approved. It will also cover policies made by federal,
state and provincial governments, and private insurers that affect
access to treatment and quality health care for all people living
with HIV. Finally, it will examine how governments, international
agencies and drug companies respond to the global AIDS epidemic.
Treatment Education Track:
The Treatment Education track will engage in discussions about existing
and emerging concepts in HIV/AIDS-related treatment issues. The
track will examine these issues in a manner that makes them accessible
to people living with HIV/AIDS, treatment educators, and direct
service providers.
Skills Building Track:
The goal of the Skills Building track is to help participants apply
the information and strategies discussed in the Treatment Education
and Action Tracks in their own activities and communities. The Skills
Building workshops use hands-on learning approaches and provide
participants the opportunity to use real-life projects, experiences
and challenges throughout the workshops.
Deadline for registration is 6 p.m., October 31, 2001
You can register online at: www.nmac.org/nataf
Member Pre-Registration Fee $150 (before October 31, 2001, 6 p.m.
eastern)
Non Member Pre-Registration Fee $175 (before October 31, 2001, 6
p.m. eastern)
Onsite Registration Fee $225 (after October 31, 2001, 6 p.m. eastern)
Visiting Canada
A valid passport is required for citizens of all countries to enter
Canada. Canada has no specific restrictions on entry for people
living with HIV/AIDS. However, Canada does reserve the right to
deny entry to someone with serious medical illness that poses a
danger to public health or safety, or whose admission might cause
excessive demands on health or social services. Although HIV is
not considered a danger to public heath, it may be necessary for
delegates to prove that they have health insurance coverage for
the entire period of their visit to Canada. Therefore, it is strongly
recommended that you purchase health insurance for your visit to
Canada. Delegates will have access to medical services and nursing
support during the conference. Make sure your travel health insurance
will cover these expenses. Access to HIV-related drugs will be possible
but not without payment. There will be no free drugs at the conference.
So please, ensure you bring an adequate supply for your stay in
Canada! Individuals who are undergoing Methadone maintenance therapy
are permitted to enter into Canada with no more than a two-day supply
of methadone. Upon arrival in Vancouver, arrangements can be made
to insure appropriate quantity of Methadone is prescribed for the
remainder of your stay. If you are entering Canada with Methadone,
you must bring an original letter from your doctor clearly stating
the dose, route and frequency of administration as well as the reason
for and length of time you have been taking Methadone. Requests
for Methadone prescriptions will be handled with strict confidentiality.
Please note that you will be responsible for paying for the cost
of filling a Methadone prescription. The possession of and/or transport
of illegal drugs (including marijuana) into Canada is not permitted
even with a doctor’s prescription.
Hotel Information
NATAF has reserved a block of rooms at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall
Centre Hotel for the forum. To be assured a room at the special
forum rates, you must make your reservations by October 31, 2001,
and identify yourself as a NATAF participant. You may make reservations
by completing the hotel reservation form and returning it directly
to the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel 1088 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC Canada V6Z 2R9. Phone: 1-800-663-9255, Fax: 604-893-7123.
A deposit for the first night is required to guarantee your room
reservation. The room rate is for single Occupancy $129.00 (plus
taxes) or Double Occupancy $129 (plus taxes). Amount shown is in
Canadian Currency, his amount converts to $86.00 dollars per night
as of January 4, 2001. Amount subject to change in currency exchange.
Also your GST taxes paid on hotel accommodations and purchases made
in Canada are refundable.
Scholarship recipients will be required to make their own hotel
reservations.
The Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel is located in downtown
Vancouver within walking distance of several attractions. The hotel
is located approximately 30 minutes from Vancouver International
Airport. All accommodations feature remote control color television
with cable, three phones with two dedicated phone lines, voicemail,
computer and fax hook-ups, am/fm clock radios, in room coffee makers,
ironing boards/irons, hairdryers and complimentary newspapers. Meeting
participants will be able to enjoy fitness center with indoor lap
pool and 2 Jacuzzis as well as 24 hour room service.
Sponsors
AIDS Project Los Angeles
African American AIDS Policy and Training Institute
American Foundation for AIDS Research
Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center
British Columbia Persons With AIDS Society
Canadian AIDS Society
Canadian Treatment Advocates Council
Community Research Initiative on AIDS
Gay Men’s Health Crisis
Hyacinth AIDS Foundation
National Minority AIDS Council
Project Inform
Test Positive Aware Network
Treatment Action Group
