As an African attending this conference, I have time and time again found myself in oral sessions where research work on African communities has been on the agenda. This is definitely positive as we need to know and hear more about the pandemic and understand the response from the hardest hit continent.

What has shocked me is that more often than not, regardless of the topic, the work has been presented by an activist or an academic from North America or Europe. In cases where African researchers have featured on the team, they are not seen on the podium with their brothers and sisters from Latin America or Asia.

This question led me to speak to a number of other African delegates to get their perspective. A number spoke about their work not getting accepted while others said they were presenting their work as a poster. Some observed that where African colleagues were present in the room, they often took a passive role.

And of course, one will never know how many were excluded from attending because of financial difficulties or because visas were a problem.

One thing I know for sure is that Africa has a rich oral tradition and where they are given the opportunity to have the floor, they are rich in their expression and flamboyant in their presentation. And this is not limited to community level or the field of entertainment!

AIDS 2002 Conference News produced by Health & Development Networks/Key Correspondent Team