From 1st to 5th July, the Seventh International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP) was held in Kobe. Around 2,700 delegates, some from outside the region, attended plenary sessions, symposia, oral sessions, poster presentations, workshops, forums, and satellite meetings. The congress was originally scheduled to take place in 2003, but was cancelled due to the SARS outbreak.

The congress provided a venue for participants to exchange information and share experience on HIV/AIDS program implementation, scientific and medical research, advocacy for policy and legislation change, as well as on community-based activities and economic empowerment of people living with HIV/AIDS.

At an exhibition booth, under the title of the Power of One, Energy from Integration, JOICFP explained how it has been promoting integration between reproductive health and HIV/AIDS at the community level, considering its three key advantages:

• Utilization of a wide network of human resources for RH
• Strength in community-based BCC
• Partnership among local governments, NGOs and UN agencies

The Endless Goodbye

In a skills building workshop, JOICFP explained the development and use of the 'picture drama' entitled The Endless Goodbye being used in Africa to mobilize the community in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Participants were informed of the unique characteristics of picture dramas, and how to motivate community participation in picture drama development.

Kadoi explains use of the picture drama

After a presentation of The Endless Goodbye, a question and answer session generated many positive responses on the power of the medium. It was recognized that the picture drama is very effective as it evokes a strong emotional response from target audiences, and helps reduce stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.

JOICFP also held a poster presentation session on development of the picture drama, and JOICFP's participation in the congress was mentioned in the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper, one of Japan's largest dailies.

Outlining the development of the picture drama
through a poster presentation