University of Arizona Conference to Address Global AIDS Challenges

The University of Arizona chapter of the Student Global AIDS Campaign is hosting a free conference Oct. 9-10 to empower students as advocates in the global AIDS fight. "The mission of our organization is to make student voices heard in the government," said Lauren Giesecke, a member of the UA chapter and national SGAC. The national group was founded in 2001 by Harvard College and Kennedy School of Government students and has 75 nationwide chapters, said Healy Thompson, national SGAC's coordinator.

Conference participants will learn about AIDS activism; how to effectively deal with the government; and future student involvement in SGAC, the group said. SGAC's mission is to educate members of the government, develop prevention programs that teach safe sex, and raise awareness about the global AIDS orphan crisis and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, said Thompson.

Giesecke said Arizona students could be a key influence in the global AIDS fight, since Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Ariz.) chairs the House Subcommittee on Foreign Operations and can affect how U.S. foreign aid is spent. "[Kolbe] told us the actions of our group have had an impact on him," said Giesecke. "He's a really good person to have as a global AIDS advocate."

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