"International Dialogue on Gender, Sexuality, and HIV/AIDS: Strengthening Human Rights Responses in Africa and around the globe."

Date: 6 - 10 December 2007, Johannesburg, South Africa.


We are excited to announce an international conference entitled "International Dialogue on Gender, Sexuality, and HIV/AIDS: Strengthening Human Rights Responses in Africa and around the globe ."

 A number of domestic, regional and international organisations are working in collaboration to present this conference from December 6th â€" 10th, 2007 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (A brief description of the sponsoring organisations is below.) By hosting this year’s Dialogue in South Africa, we acknowledge the constitutional and legal victories that have been achieved in this country, and encourage the government to embrace these ideals within their own borders, and act in a leadership capacity within the region to advance human rights for all people.

 Registration and an informal opening/meet and greet will happen on the evening of December 6 th.  The conference will then be divided into three units of activity:

 Unit 1: Developed by and for African LGBT activists. Some thematic areas already identified include: participation in the African Commission, domestic litigation in key countries, equipping activists with communication tools, and taking forward current programming with the region. (An open consultation process for this unit has begun; African activists wishing to have input into this part of the programming are encouraged to contact: dialogue@arc-international.net)

 Unit 2: Building on similar dialogues held in Rio de Janeiro, Geneva, and South Korea, some of the themes of this International Dialogue include: international strategies regarding UN Human Rights Council and other UN bodies; shadow reporting for regional and international human rights mechanisms; engaging NGOs around the Yogyakarta Principles; building effective coalitions and alliances; and strengthening organisational capacity. It is intended to promote dialogue between activists from around the globe and allies with the LGBT movement. (Input regarding this portion of the agenda can also be sent to: dialogue@arc-international.net)

 Unit 3: Regional Launch of Yogyakarta Principles and Public Event to commemorate International Human Rights Day (December 10 th).

 It is also anticipated that there will be some engagement with government officials and political mobilisation over the course of the Dialogue.

 We hope to be able to accommodate approximately 55-60 participants from around the world. The participants will be comprised of stakeholders in the international arena (NGOs, academics, and funding organisations) from all geographic regions, particularly those with some experience in advancing human rights regionally and/or internationally.

 We invite you to apply by October 24, 2007 using the form below.

 In terms of funding, our priority is to attempt to assist selected delegates facing barriers to

participation, for example those from Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America. “Assisting†might mean direct funding through us, or facilitating individual delegates to approach their own regional funding sources. We are still in the process of fundraising for conference activities and interpretation/translation, and any assistance that individuals and organisations can provide, including letters of support, would be most appreciated.

 Additional information will be provided as we confirm participants, speakers and venues.

See Application Form Below

 Sincerely,

 Kim Vance

Co-Director,

ARC International

Fikile Vilakazi
Director of the Secretariat
Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL)

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APPLICATION FORM

"International Dialogue on Gender, Sexuality, and HIV/AIDS: Strengthening Human Rights Responses in Africa and around the globe ."

 1. What is your name and city/country of residence?

 2. What is your organisational affiliation(s)?

 3. What is the primary focus of your or your organisation's work (e.g. human rights, women's rights, sexual and reproductive rights, lgbt, faith-based, labour, youth, etc.)?

 4. We are seeking funding to enable the Dialogue to take place, as much as possible, in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. Please indicate whether you will be able to participate in any of these languages. If so, which do you prefer? If not, what other language(s) can you communicate in?

 5. Why do you wish to participate? What do you feel you would bring to the Dialogue? What do you feel you would get out of it?

 6. What international knowledge or experience do you possess (e.g. World Conferences, attendance at UN human rights bodies, regional conferences etc)? Please explain.

 7. What regional/domestic knowledge or experience do you have (e.g. mobilising national networks, influencing governments, local activism or regional networking)? Please explain. 

 8. Please describe the ways in which your participation will help ensure a diverse and representative consultation ( e.g. are you a member of a racialised/indigenous group, person with a disability, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, intersex person, person living with HIV/AIDS, etc)?

  9. Do you have experience working on sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual or reproductive rights, or HIV/AIDS issues? Please summarise.

 10. There will be a registration fee of US$250/€175 to help cover the costs of the Dialogue. Do you require funding assistance to attend? If so, please indicate whether you need support in paying for airfare, accommodation, a registration fee reduction or waiver and/or per diem meal allowance, and briefly explain why you or your organisation need financial support to attend.

 11. Do you have any special or accessibility needs (e.g. dietary restrictions, wheelchair access, assistance with childcare etc) that you would like us to consider when planning this conference?

 12. Is there any other information you would like to include?
 

Please apply by October 24th to applications@arc-international.net

This conference opportunity is being facilitated by ARC International and The Coalition of African Lesbians in coordination with Behind the Mask, FEW, OUT, The Equality Project and other partners.

ARC International ( www.arc-international.net ) is a project-driven organisation designed to make a contribution to the development of a strategic international LGBT human rights agenda. ARC works cooperatively with existing domestic and international organisations active on LGBT and related issues to foster the development of networks,

positive communications and access to international human rights mechanisms through the development of resources.

The Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL)( www.cal.org.za) was founded in 2003 (first called African Lesbian Alliance) as an independent, non-profit organisation with a membership comprising organisations in Africa that work to support the struggle of lesbian women for equality. It is the first non-governmental organisation in Africa to promote equality for lesbian women at a continental level.

Regards,

Fikile Vilakazi
Director of CAL Secretariat
Tel: +27 11 487 0625
Fax: 086 669 7332
E-mail:fikile.vilakazi@gmail.com