As FHI 360 and the global health community prepare to travel the "Road to Durban" to the 21st International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016), it is poignant to reflect on how far we have come since the AIDS 2000 meeting held in Durban, South Africa. I recommend taking the time to read a recent message from the conference organizers titled, The Return to Durban: A Critical Moment in History.
After reading the piece, I was reminded of what a critical role the entire development community, including organizations like FHI 360, has played in the global response to HIV. I am inspired every day to witness how the broad global response has rallied around the concept of building on the available evidence and advancing integrated development solutions -- which is why we continue to make real and sustainable progress in battling HIV.
As part of FHI 360's deliberate approach to advancing integrated development solutions, we will be hosting a summit June 13, 2016, in Washington, DC, titled, Greater than the Sum of its Parts: The Power of Integration. The event will be a space for innovative thinking, learning and dialogue that will focus on the "how" to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The discussions will include global development leaders and practitioners, policymakers, donor organizations and other change-makers.
I fully expect that the discussions at FHI 360's integrated development summit in June and AIDS 2016 in July will create new energy throughout the development community. This energy will be translated into the action required to meet the global targets to end the HIV epidemic and other major issues affecting our world. Many sectors will join these conversations.
We are at a critical moment in history, and FHI 360 is proud to have a seat at the table, connecting research to practice to create positive change in communities worldwide. FHI 360 programs continue to integrate approaches that both fight HIV and contribute to ending poverty, hunger and inequality -- resulting in improved health everywhere.