HIV and Stigma: Challenges and Solutions An Open Space Technology (OST) Conference is to be held in Johannesburg South Africa, on the 22nd till the 25th of February 2005. The venue is Montecasino (Fourways).

Empowerment Concepts, with its partner MonteCasino are pleased to announce a conference with a difference. Using OST technology, delegates will explore the challenges of HIV-related stigma, with the primary focus being the sharing and exploration of how to overcome stigma in service delivery. This is guaranteed to be unlike any other conference within the topic.

The conference is restricted to 100 delegates only, including 20 conference scholarships (refer Conference Fees and Logistics). We respectfully request that organisations considering sending delegates send people with experience in service delivery, so that their experiences can be used to further solution-seeking processes. This conference is not an academic exercise: Everyone actively participates.

A description of basic OST methods and principles follow this introduction.

Conference fees and logistics:

Venue: Monte Casino is situated in Fourways in the North of Johannesburg.

Conference fees: The cost per delegate is R3500-00 plus VAT (total = R3,990.00) or $550 USD. Fees include all workshop/conference supplies, all refreshments during the conference, lunch every day and a copy of the conference document, which based will probably be 100-150 printed pages. A maximum of 100 delegates will be allowed to attend the conference, including the 20 scholarships. Confirmation of attendance occurs upon receipt of payment. Accommodation and transport: These costs are for the delegates account or sponsoring agency/corporation. The Palazzo Intercontinental Hotel is offering conference delegate rates at R890-00 for bookings of 20 rooms or more and is located within the Monte Casino Complex where the conference will be held. Please use the following Conference code if booking at the Palazzo - 781.71 Scholarships: Twenty (20) scholarships are available. Delegates securing conference scholarships need to be aware that the scholarship covers conference fees only. They will need to secure their own transport and accommodation for the duration of the conference.

Booking: For those potential delegates who need information on the OST process, the facilitators and their work in this field, please contact David Patient at: [email protected].

For those wishing to register or apply for a conference scholarship, please contact Cherylynn O'Brien at: [email protected] .

Basic Methods & Principles of OST OST is based upon several principles that include the African Market Place, Native American community meetings and brainstorming. It is revolutionary in its approach as it encourages every delegate to become actively involved in seeking answers to the questions that stigma presents.

The key to the success of the process is that the people who attend - the delegates - care about the subject matter, thus ensuring participation. It is not assumed that anyone has the answers to the theme challenges: The point of the process is to evolve solutions, based upon inputs of many different people, with widely diverse experiences. The first step of the process is to identify the issues. Delegates simply state what they consider to be the challenges, and these are listed. The only issues discussed are those issues raised by the delegates. These are then organised into streams, and times are allocated for workshopping each issue. Whoever raised the issue chairs the session. Each session is recorded in writing. Issues can be workshopped once, or several times, depending upon the outcome of each session. Each issue work group is given 20 minutes to clarify the issue. The remaining session time is focused upon finding solutions. The role of the facilitators is to stimulate discussion and raise questions to be considered, if required. Key issues and outcomes are recorded, then typed and distributed to all conference delegates.

During the day, as many as 10-15 groups operate simultaneously. Unlike conventional conferences, delegates are encouraged to sit in on as many discussions as they please, and to get up and leave whenever they want to. This is called 'The Bumble Bee' principle, which ensures that delegates only participate where and when they feel they can receive and add value to a discussion. It should be noted that this process of cross-pollination requires encouragement initially - as it is customary to remain seated even when you are not adding or receiving valued input in a meeting - but is highly effective in ensuring that every person's experience and ideas are incorporated where it is most needed. It also ensures that boredom is not an issue!

This also includes the so-called 'Coffee Station' principle, where a great deal of discussion and networking occurs around the refreshment stations, which are located in the conference room itself. In other words, it is a highly fluid process, where everyone is heard, and contributes to the outcomes. The outcomes are therefore based in reality, and not theory. To ensure that nobody misses out on any particular issue or concerns, each delegate receives a full account from every group by way of the conference document that is given to each person when they leave on day four. Forwarded by David Patient Email: [email protected]