Dear Friend:

The Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), Population Action
International (PAI), and the Sexuality Information and Education
Council
of the United States (SIECUS) invite you to join a Caucus of NGOs at
the
XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto in August 2006 to
highlight
and promote comprehensive, evidence-based approaches to HIV prevention.


In recent years, serious concern has been raised by a range of HIV/AIDS
organizations in the U.S. and internationally about the failure of the
global community to coalesce around the promotion of sound,
evidence-based HIV prevention efforts. With the participation of
supporting NGOs, this Caucus will forge a coordinated effort to advance
a strong, evidence-based HIV prevention agenda that reflects scientific
consensus, rather than ideological or political positions that in many
cases have superceded it.

As organizers of the Caucus, amfAR, PAI, and SIECUS will secure a
central place for U.S.-based NGOs and their international counterparts
to convene, share information, and strategize throughout the
conference.
One of the key Caucus activities will be a daily morning meeting to
review highlights from the previous day's presentations, share
important
information about upcoming activities, and help to craft and
disseminate
unified messages and talking points about key HIV prevention research,
program, and policy matters. The overall goal of the Caucus in Toronto
and beyond is to generate support for comprehensive, evidence-based,
HIV
prevention efforts by drawing worldwide government, media, and NGO
attention to the issue.

If your organization will be in Toronto and is interested in joining
the
Caucus, please review the attached registration form and the Terms of
Reference, and email to Katie Porter, kporter@popact.org. By
registering for the Caucus, you agree to abide by the guidelines in the
Terms of Reference. The deadline for joining the Caucus is February
24th. Prior to the Conference, amfAR, PAI, and SIECUS will jointly
host
a meeting-most likely in Washington, D.C.-to discuss Caucus activities.
Information about this meeting will be forthcoming. Please let us know
if your organization will not be in Toronto but would like to stay
informed of caucus activities during the August conference.
Additionally, this invitation is non-transferable; please contact Katie
with any questions about the inclusion of an appropriate U.S.-based
partner.

Through a strong, unified voice, we hope this Caucus will help to
elevate the good work the NGO community has done to promote the need
for
scientifically accurate HIV prevention. We look forward to your
participation.

Sincerely,

Judy Auerbach
Vice President, Public Policy & Program Development
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research

Terri Bartlett
Vice President, Public Policy and Strategic Initiatives
Population Action International

Bill Smith
Vice President, Public Policy
Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States