Jakarta (6 July 2009) – The Asia Pacific Village is an important breakthrough for the 9^th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP) in Bali, Indonesia. This event will be held to facilitate various aspects of civil society as well as to develop joint activities between AIDS campaigns and art performances.

Located on the ground floor of the Bali International Convention Center (BICC), the  Asia-Pacific  Village will be held from 10-12 August from 09.00-18.00 Central Indonesian Time. The Asia Pacific Village is open to the public in order to evoke thought and to draw public  attention through interactive discussions, media campaign, and art and cultural performances.

There are 15 countries who will partake in the Asia Pacific Village, namely Australia, Bangladesh, China, Fiji, India, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. They will perform various traditional and contemporary dances, plays, and traditional interactive activities.

”Through the Asia Pacific  Village, community awareness and understanding towards cultural diversity in the  Asia and Pacific region is expected to increase. We would also like to show the public that cultural diversity can create unity,” explained Prof. Dr. D.N. Wirawan, MPH, the 9^th ICAAP Co-Chair II who also oversees  the Asia-Pacific Village.

Carrying the concept of  a Balinese village, the Asia-Pacific Village will interpret the main theme of the 9^th ICAAP IX, Empowering People, Strengthening Networks into a more fun ambiance. “Its function is to be a place where we can celebrate diversity. It is a place where we can interact, get personally involved, share and exchange experiences, knowledge, and skills with each other, build coalitions, and promote interactive learning amongst people living with HIV (PLHIV) and affected communities, as well as with policy makers and researchers” added Prof. Wirawan.