Panelists discuss how the economic downturn threatens the future of the response to the HIV pandemic

The APPG hosted a panel discussion in conjunction with Cecily's Fund, a charity working with orphans affected by HIV and AIDS in Zambia. Panellists discussed the role that different sectors can play in tackling HIV, and the importance of the media in keeping HIV on the international agenda. The panellists were:

• Lukwesa Burak - Zambian-born journalist and Sky News presenter. Lukwesa is also patron of All Star Kids - a homeless children's charity in Southern Africa;
• Canon Gideon Byamugisha founder of an organisation of African religious leaders living with HIV, and energetic HIV campaigner;
• Russell Brown MP, Vice- Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV and AIDS
• Jenni Gillies - Group HIV advisor for SABMiller plc, which involves developing strategies to manage and reduce the impact of HIV in the workplace

This discussion took place on the day that we received the very sad news that the APPG Chair, David Cairns had passed away, and Russell Brown and Veronica Oakeshott paid tribute to his inspirational work.