ICASA 2011 kicks off in a Colorful Ceremony
Heads of State and Government, former presidents, first ladies, members of parliaments, ministers, high level representatives of UN agencies, donors, members of the diplomatic corps, renowned scientists, NGOs, PLHIV, and civil society gathered today at the Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa for the opening ceremony of the 16th International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA 2011). The five-day conference under the theme ‘Own, Scale-up and Sustain’ is expected to actively engage participants through high-level plenary sessions, satellite sessions, skill building sessions, poster exhibition and various side events.

In welcoming the participants, Dr. Yigermu Abebe, President of ICASA 2011 said, “Welcome to the 16th ICASA, which has been organized by the Government of Ethiopia in conjunction with the Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA), various institutional and community partners as well as the private sector.”

ICASA 2011 takes place at a pivotal time - thirty years since the first case of AIDS was detected; ten years since the landmark UN General Assembly Special Session on AIDS, where world leaders declared AIDS as a “global emergency” and called for an “urgent, coordinated and sustained response” to the epidemic; and ten years since the Abuja Declaration on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and other Infectious Diseases.

President of the Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA), Professor Robert Soudre said, “Once again the forefront stakeholders in the response to HIV and AIDS in Africa are meeting in Addis Ababa to address our common enemy - the HIV epidemic and related diseases”.

The Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) Council has selected Ethiopia to host the 16th ICASA, based on interest expressed by the Ethiopian Government to host the Conference, as well as meeting a set of criteria including adequate logistics, security, communications, accommodation and conference venue. Ethiopia officially accepted the offer during a signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the SAA and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, represented by the Federal Ministry of Health in July 2009 in Lagos, Nigeria.

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the AIDS response in sub-Saharan Africa. The total number of new HIV infections in the region has declined by more than 26%, from 2.6 million [2.4 million-2.8 million] to 1.9 million [1.7 million-2.1 million] since the peak of the epidemic in 1997.

Confirming this, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé said, “Over the past decade, Africa has made remarkable progress in its HIV response”.

Never the less, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region most heavily affected by HIV. In 2010, an estimated 68% of all people living with HIV resided in sub-Saharan Africa, a region with only 12% of the global population.

“With strengthened political will and increased resources, I am confident that countries across the continent will reach our common goal of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths,” Dr. Sidibé added.

In his key note address on behalf of the people and Government of Ethiopia at the official opening, H.E. Meles Zenawi, Ethiopian Prime Minister, said, “It is my distinct pleasure to welcome all delegates to Addis Ababa and the 16th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA 2011). We are honored to be hosting this major international gathering at this critical juncture in the countdown to the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Three decades following the discovery of AIDS, ICASA 2011 provides an important opportunity to take stock of the significant progress made as well as the challenges we still face in reversing the epidemic in countries across our continent”.

“This year’s theme is a particularly fitting one at this critical time. Against the backdrop of growing global economic uncertainty, it is vital that African countries develop innovative and sustainable strategies for mobilizing new resources—human, intellectual, and material — with a view to fortifying and sustaining our response to the epidemic over the coming years. Indeed, the challenge now is for Africa to Own, Scale-up and Sustain the fight and build on the successes of the past to finally turn the tide of the epidemic through greater containment and significantly lower new infections,” the prime minister noted.

A decade ago, HIV prevalence among the 15 to 24 age group in Ethiopia was 12.4%. Today, this figure has stabilized at 2.4%. In 2005, fewer than 1,000 Ethiopians had access to lifesaving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Today, over 333 thousand Ethiopians, an estimated 66%, of those in need are receiving ART.

Dr. Yigeremu Abebe, President of ICASA 2011, highlighted the significance of the conference for Africa and Ethiopia. “This year’s ICASA promises to be unique in that awards will be given to the best abstracts presented by young investigators below the age of 35. This recognition aims to encourage scientific research in Africa, which is currently facing challenges,” he said.Early in the day The ICASA community village was also open. The community village is a melting pot of all cultures to informally exchange ideas and ways forward not only in the HIV and AIDS response, but also other socioeconomic issues.

At the official opening, H.E Ato Kuma Demekisa expressed his warm welcome to the delegates and wished a successful deliberation over the conference period. Similarly, the former president of USA – Mr. George Bush Jr. addressed the gathering.

Mr. Bush was also recognized with an award for his support in the HIV and AIDS response. On the occasion H.E Dr. Tedros Adhanom, Ethiopian Minister of Health, expressed his gratitude to Mr. Bush. This was followed by President Bush receiving his award from H.E Ato Meles Zenawi, the Ethiopian Prime Minister.

Dear Momentumweb Readers,

I hope you're all doing very well and wish you success in all your endeavours.

I am sending out this message to all of you since October 15th, 2011 is the DEADLINE to send us your writings (poems, articles, blogs, etc) and/or artwork to info@momentumweb.org for the 5th MOMENTUM Magazine (please CC me at yassir@momentumweb.org)

The main themes of this 5th edition will be Youth and ICTs as well as youth engagement through participating in local, regional and international conferences (One Young World 2011, World Youth Congress, SPECQUE, CIVICUS Youth Assembly, etc). If you want to write on another subject, feel free to do that as long as it's original and interesting! Remember, you can write in English, Spanish, French or Arabic.

The second reason I am emailing you today is to invite you to participate in Your Big Year Competition. Your Big Year was created by Smaller Earth as a way to engage people in the themes of entrepreneurship and global citizenship. It uses an incredible prize of a trip to 5 continents meeting community and world leaders to create excitement but everyone who enters get placed in a draw for a Smaller Earth project and the 12 finalists will all be flown to Liverpool in March 2012.

If you want to participate in Your Big Year, register at : www.yourbigyear.com

You'll need to enter a Referral Email. Mine is yasentrepreneur@gmail.com

With my best wishes!

Yassir EL Ouarzadi
Co-Founder and Executive Director
MOMENTUM : Mission, Passion, Expression
Join us at : http://momentumweb.org

Hi TIGweb.org friends, members and partners!

Here, I share with you a poem I wrote during my participation at the One Young World 2011 Summit that was held in Zurich, Switzerland last week. I hope you appreciate it! Please don't hesitate to add your comments, ideas, insights and suggestions. 

 

Poem : One Young World is the way ...

Written by Yassir EL Ouarzadi

Moroccan Delegate, OYW Ambassador (Morocco/Canada)

 

Asia, Europe, America ...

Australia and Africa ...

All of us share a vision ...

And a common mission ...

That is to inspire our generation ...

To engage with the population ...

******************

Let's join hands today,

To make our planet united, I say,

One Young World, let's UNITE, 

To make change, continue the fight ....

******************

Many companies, NGOs and governments are listening to ME and YOU, 

They wanna help us out to get through ...

The obstacles we face everyday ...

When we get involved, per say !

******************

Information. Inspiration. Action.

Mission. Passion. Expression.

What a great place to be !

To learn from each other, see ...

OYW fellow delegates, founders ...

Partners, collaborators and stakeholders ...

When there is a Will, there is a Way 

And One Young World is the Way ...

I love Spiderweb Suit song. Helena Josefsson, one of the members of the band, also is one of my favorite singers. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6iIHmNnu9k

This is one of those songs which makes me feel cheerful almost every single day. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWhH6GhbZnE

Many time you dream to fly when you sleep from the high montain or from the plane or to be like a bird .

It's so nice feeling when you actually do it . If you watch Avatar movie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRdxXPV9GNQ), you will see the dragon that  the hero can't  ride it otherwise challenge himself  through his trust and purpose . Do you know what is that ? Its making the change and the diffrence by the Freedom .When he can't walk (disabled)  ,he build his energy to serve his community by virtual .Thinking to be a hero is not easy but it is need more patience and insistence . 

So to fly in your way , you should think and plan what is the process to achieve your target .

Feeling on that ,make the freedom on your life .You will inspire your community or at least promote yourself .

No one know , what that words can do in the future ?! 

Anyway my mind thinking  and my hands typing to light your way .

 

All the best 

A H E D 

 

Dear TIG members,

Our MOMENTUMweb.org community keeps growing as new members join us to express their points of view and their reflections on what is happening around the world, and especially how youth can contribute to the betterment of our globalized society. Thanks to the motivation and dedication of our volunteers, country ambassadors, sponsors and supporters, we are glad to provide you, through our online platform, with a Social Network for Changemakers and invite YOU to contribute and support us by spreading the word about our youth-led magazine that aims to inform and inspire youth to "be the change they want to see in the World" (quote from Ghandi).

The 4th edition of MOMENTUM magazine is now ONLINE. You can read the magazine via this link:http://en.calameo.com/read/000459508db3f5a633cbf

Feel free to email us at info@momentumweb.org for any question or comment or to submit an article, poem, short story or photography to be published in the 5th edition of the magazine. This time, we invite you to write about your community projects and achievements. 

Thank you and enjoy reading the magazine!

***************************************************************

Chers membres de TIG,

La 4e édition du magazine Momentum est désormais EN LIGNE. Nous vous remercions de votre patience et vous invitons à la lire en suivant le lien web : http://en.calameo.com/read/000459508db3f5a633cbf

N'hésitez pas à nous écrire à info@momentumweb.org pour toute question ou commentaire ou pour soumettre un écrit (article, poème, récit) ou une photographie pour la 5e édition du magazine. Cette fois, nous vous invitons à partager avec nous des écrits à propos de vos projets communautaires et/ou de vos autres réalisations.

Merci et bonne lecture du magazine!

-- 
Yassir EL Ouarzadi 
Co-Founder and Executive Director
MOMENTUM: Mission, Passion, Expression
http://momentumweb.org/

Join our Facebook group :
https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=39807298354

Follow us on Twitter :
http://twitter.com/momentumweb

Si busca trabajar presencialmente con población infantil y juvenil que tiene necesidades especiales, de forma voluntaria y de manera que desarrolle su creatividad, le sugiero cheque Colorss Foundation, una organización ubicada en India.

 "When William marries Kate over a million people are expected to be on the streets of London.... It will be the biggest royal event since the marriage of Charles and Diana 30 years ago."

Yes, it's coming.  It seems a large portion of the world has been holding their breaths since hearing of Prince William's proposal to Kate Middleton.  April 29, 2011 is the date to mark.  It seems even Elton John who had been holding his breath for quite some time, can now breathe easy.  It also seems that this year, the Superbowl, the Oscars, the Emmys, and the Canadian election, is and was bound to receive lower interest than the upcoming nuptials--okay, at least in Canada.  We are, after all, still joined at the hip with England, in some sense. Or are we?

There are those that will be tuning in on April 29th to watch the fruition of their childhood Disney fantasy come to life.  Then, there are those that will be tuning in on April 29th as a result of how much the event has been publicized, how much Kate Middleton has become an instant style icon and the picture of poise for every woman to look up to, everywhere. 

Is such a role model a good one for little girls? Many would say:  yes.  While it is rare for any ordinary girl to become a member of the royal family, I'd like to think it is not rare for every woman to find that man they consider their prince. 

So yes, I will be tuning in on the 29th.  For me hearing of Lady Diana's tragic death when I was a small girl and specifically, hearing Elton John's Candle in the Wind reverberating on all the radio channels, definitely struck a cord in me that gave me that little bit more interest in the royal family ever since.  Particularly, in the outcome of  Diana's sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.   Based on Kate Middleton's portrayal in the media, it seems that Prince William has made an excellent choice for a bride.  Her smile seems pretty darn bright, don't you think?  I guess we'll have to wait and see.

My reasons for watching on the 29th will be all of the above, and then some.  Namely, I want to see Kate's dress.  It's obviously not something that happens very often either.  Well, what I mean is that while it may very well happen to us personally if we are lucky,  this event is being televised as though we are all communally invited, all across the world.  It'll make us feel a little closer, bring us closer together, maybe?  We'll watch, if that's what the Queen wants. 

I guess I may take this time to say congratulations to William and Kate on their engagement.  While I am not fanatically interested in you two or your wedding, I am interested enough to spend a good half  hour on a Sunday night writing about it in my blog.

-Crystal  Walters

 

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La délégation de l'Université de Montréal à la SPECQUE 2011

 

Laval, 6 février 2011

 

11 étudiants représenteront cet été l'Université de Montréal à la Simulation du Parlement Européen Canada-Québec-Europe (mieux connu sous son acronyme SPECQUE) à Luxembourg.

 

Dans cette simulation, Yassir EL Ouarzadi, Sebastien Arz, David Langis, Matthieu Baum, Antoine Michaud-Soret, Andres Contreras, Marie Clouâtre, Alessandro Scalisi, Alexandrine Gauvin, Nicolas Jadot et Clémence Hallé seront invités à endosser le costume de responsables politiques européens. Malgré leurs origines diverses (Maroc, France, Canada, Italie, Colombie, etc), tous ces étudiants ont en commun un grand intérêt envers l'Union Européenne et ses institutions.

 

En tant que commissaires, rapporteurs, eurodéputés, lobbyistes ou encore journalistes, ils sont invités à débattre sur quatre grands enjeux de la politique européenne actuelle. Cette année, les sujets en débat seront les suivants : la lutte contre le terrorisme, la création d'une Taxe européenne globale,  la stratégie européenne relative à l'Arctique etl'instauration d'un espace maritime européen sans frontières et du transport maritime intra-communautaire. La semaine de simulation se veut une réplique fidèle du vécu des élus européens, alternant séances plénières, commissions parlementaires, rencontres en groupe politique et politique de couloir.

 

La SPECQUE est une simulation parlementaire internationale du Parlement européen. Cette simulation est annuelle et se déroule en alternance entre l’Europe et le Canada. Après Moncton (Nouveau-Brunswick) en 2010, c’est le Luxembourg et sa capitale éponyme qui accueillera la simulation. Forte de ses quelques 150 participants francophones d’Europe (issus de France, Belgique, Allemagne, Italie, Espagne et Lituanie en 2010) et du Canada, la SPECQUE est la plus importante simulation du Parlement européen à se dérouler en français.

 

Fondée en 1998 à l’Université Laval (Québec), la SPECQUE est guidée par trois valeurs fondamentales : la parité entre les participants canadiens et européens, le respect de la langue française et une totale indépendance politique.

 

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