CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Australasian Sexual Health and Australasian HIV&AIDS conferences are to:
To provide the foremost annual educational and networking forum for those working or interested in the blood-borne virus, sexual, and reproductive health sectors primarily in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia and Pacific regions (i.e. Australasia), to present and stay informed on current research, clinical management, prevention, best practice healthcare, health promotion and policy, including opportunities for professional development and activities which meet relevant accreditations.
To develop a program that appeals to the multidisciplinary and diverse audience working or interested in the blood-borne virus, sexual, and reproductive health sectors and reflects the changing environment for the care, management, and prevention of HIV, other blood borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections (STIs).
To facilitate dialogue, collaboration and networking among researchers, community representatives, jurisdictional policy decision makers, and the health workforce from various geographic, demographic, and professional sector partners across Australasia. This also includes connecting leading global experts with the Australasian delegates e.g. through invited keynote speakers.
To encourage the attendance and participation of:
- new and early career clinicians, researchers, scientists, allied health workers, and community members
- abstract presenters by prioritising abstract spotlight sessions, poster tours and abstract based awards
- attendees through a range of active strategies for engagement including grants, scholarships, and awards
To support and engage community and lived experience delegates to ensure that the conference (across the delivery, design, and content phases) is accessible, relevant, and adapted (for example abstract criteria or networking opportunities and targeted sessions) for their needs and promote meaningful dialogue across multiple disciplines.
To disseminate knowledge and applied learning during and after the conference for a wider audience and access to enduring materials.
To recognise and build sector leadership through awards, invited presentations, conference organising committees, abstract reviewing, chairing sessions and abstract presentations.
To source scholarship support from sector partners and organisations to provide opportunity for participants to attend who are not able to source alternative funding or are facing financial hardship.
To implement ASHM’s Reconciliation Action Plan and strengthen the engagement, relevance and address the inequities among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other First Nation peoples.
To provide a transparent safety plan for delegates attending the face-to-face conference and to have risk measures in place in the event the delivery of the conference needs to be adapted for any adverse events such as COVID-19 outbreaks and lockdowns, natural disasters, or other emergencies.