The tenth national conference of people living with HIV/AIDS, to be held in Adelaide, South Australia in November, is set to be the biggest and best yet.

With more than 150 people already registered for the event, organisers say they expect the turnout to be as big or bigger than previous conferences. NAPWA has also been able to award a record number of scholarships enabling 53 HIV-positive people to attend the gathering.

The national conference, held once every two years, will take place at the University of Adelaide from 18 to 20 November, and will feature a diverse range of workshops, formal presentations and social events for positive people, their friends and service providers. Back by popular demand will be the creative aspects of the program which proved so popular at the last conference. The Friday afternoon will be set aside for exhibitions, stalls and informal gathering in a friendly atmosphere.

Expatriate Australian AIDS activist Ian Grubb (see profile) will be the keynote speaker at the opening session.

Highlights of the conference program include sessions on activism, disclosure, policy and research as they affect people living with HIV/AIDS. Heterosexuals and positive women can look forward to special sessions on the program devoted to their concerns.

Positive women also have the opportunity of attending a special one-day meeting ahead of the conference, an opportunity to build networks and to introduce the NAPWA positive women’s network. This satellite, scheduled for Thursday 17 November, will be followed by a Women’s Celebration Dinner.

The social side of the conference again promises to be a highlight. A welcome reception on Friday night and community barbecue on Saturday will provide opportunities for delegates to mingle, catch up with old friends and make new ones.

The Friday evening also sees a very special event with the launch of the Declaration of Rights of People Living with HIV/AIDS. This important document, developed in consultation with PLWHA groups across Australia, will be officially launched by prominent barrister David Buchanan, a long-time friend and supporter of the HIV community.

• Registrations to the conference are open until 10 November. Visit www.napwa.org.au for a detailed program, registration information and other details.