World's Largest Open Scientific Conference on HIV/AIDS Uses New Media Tools
By Miguel Gomez
This weekend approximately 5,000 of the world’s leading scientists, clinicians, public health experts and community leaders will convene in Cape Town, South Africa, for the 5th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment, and Prevention (IAS 2009) 
to “examine the latest developments in HIV-related research, and to explore how scientific advances can—in very practical ways—inform the global response to HIV/AIDS.” The conference will run July 19-22, 2009.
Can’t be there in person? Participate virtually.
This year the conference organizers are using new media tools as an integral way to communicate updates before and during the conference. Through tweeting , a Facebook fan page , a Flickr group , and a live-blog , people all over the world can follow conference updates from the comfort of their own homes and offices. People can also sign up now for daily conference bulletins in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian or Romanian. They are also offering webcasts of certain sessions. On Monday they will be airing a webcast of a special session, U.S.-Global HIV Policy, Research and Implementation Under the New Administration , featuring U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Eric Goosby and NIAID Director Anthony Fauci.
My AIDS.gov team and I are following the conference updates with interest, and are eager to learn how the use of new media tools supported the objectives of the conference and expanded its reach. Stay tuned!
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Hey Miguel and Michelle I will be following along on facebook and twitter. We will have to work on getting it streamed into Second Life next year!!!!
Posted by: Ricky Davis/Ricken Flow | July 17, 2009 at 01:43 PM
In this day in age we need to use the tools of the times. If social media helps spread the word, then all the better!
Posted by: Jared | July 18, 2009 at 02:28 AM
I love this. I love how the government is using these mediums that it's citizens are using already. It's so easy to spread the word, and so much more can be shared.
I'm happy that I can actually easily (as in click of a button) promote what aids.gov is doing.
Posted by: Chris | July 21, 2009 at 08:31 AM