9th ICAAP Opens for Volunteers!

Jakarta (10 June 2009) - In modern societies the most basic of all values is one
of cooperation, helping one another, which will in turn help themselves. Besides
being helpful to others, volunteerism is one way to ensure your professional
skills are kept honed, your resume stays up to date, and you get new connections
and contacts while away from school or work.

The 9th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP) to be
held in Bali, Indonesia, from 9 to 13 August 2009 is an important and innovative
congress in offering new ways to strengthen the health system in different
countries by the sharing of information and experience, sharing of new
scientific innovations, and is proof that the participation of civil society at
all levels in policy making and monitoring is the best solution to address
cross-border HIV pandemic.

In Asia and the Pacific, with its diverse cultures, religion, economy and
politics, AIDS remains the main concern: AIDS remains one of the highest causes
of death and loss of work for people aged 15 to 44 years. Although the total
number of AIDS cases in Asia is relatively low compared to Africa, evidence
shows that HIV infection is on an upward trend.

With the theme "Empowering People, Strengthening Networks", the 9th ICAAP will
bring together individuals, institutions, companies, societies, and networks,
whether governmental, non-governmental, and private sector, to share experiences
and work together towards achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG) by
2015 of reducing the AIDS pandemic.

The 9th ICAAP needs at least 313 volunteers. Of this total, only 102 people have
registered for volunteer work in this biggest AIDS congress in Asia and the
Pacific.

"We need as many volunteers as possible. But we are targeting at least 313
volunteers to participate. So we still need about 200 more volunteers for this
9th ICAAP," the congress's Volunteer Coordinator Madrina Mazhar said.

Madrina said that volunteers should have adequate understanding of volunteerism,
adding that many benefits can be gained by being one, including a valuable
opportunity to be involved in a major international event that will involve the
participation of representatives from 65 countries.

"ICAAP volunteers will have the opportunity to significantly contribute to the
success of ICAAP. They will be able to meet and connect with new people from
countries around Asia and the Pacific. What's more, we could build our own
networking with people from all over," she said.

Volunteer contribution in this event is significant to the success of the 9th
ICAAP as their participation will be needed in all aspects of the congress
organization. Requirements for being a 9th ICAAP volunteer include already being
18 years old, ability to speak and understand English, good interpersonal
skills, as well as having empathy and knowledge on issues related with people
living with HIV (PLHIV).

Those interested to become volunteers should register and receive more
information through the website
http://www.facebook.com/l/;http://www.icaap9.org. Registration is open until
July 4, 2009.

For more information, please contact:

Ika Nazaruddin
Pacto Convex
Ph 62-21 571-9973
Ika_nazar@...

Madrina Mazhar
Volunteer Coordinator
Ph. 62-361 9134040
volunteer.programme@...

Ristya Paramita
Public Information Officer
Ph. 62-21-39838845/46
ristya.paramita@...