No small issue: new action agenda for children affected by HIV/AIDS

In the first plenary address ever to be devoted to the wellbeing of children affected by HIV and AIDS in the 23-year history of the 17th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2008), Professor Linda Richter, executive director of the HSRC's Child, Youth, Family and Social Development programme, presented a paper, entitled No Small Issue: Children and Families. She was one of only two South Africans who were invited to present at a plenary session of the largest and most diverse international meeting devoted to a single global health issue, which brought together some 22 000 delegates from more than 190 countries. The other South African was Supreme Court of Appeal Judge Edwin Cameron. HSRC researchers also presented more than 20 research posters, chaired sessions, participated in panel discussions, and held workshops. In this special section of the HSRC Review, we bring you a selection of the studies presented at AIDS 2008.