This was the central theme of the 6th Ethnic Minorities Conference that was held in Amersfoort on October 14th 2011. The program promised to handle a variety of issues. The line-up of the program went from local initiatives, via good practices in HIV and STIs prevention interventions to data, facts and figures. It had become a pick-and-mix with something for everyone. Which is exactly the idea behind the conference: to assemble partners, stakeholders and interested parties involved in prevention of HIV/STIs among ethnic minorities in the Netherlands. To have them share their knowledge and experiences, to provide for mutual alliances and to discuss the tasks ahead.
During the preparations of the conference, it was well thought out what topics should pass in review. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports, the RIVM-Centre of Infectious Diseases Control, Rutgers WPF, Pharos, the HIV Association Netherlands and Schorer were all involved and added to the program. Together with other (self)organisations the program was completed with concrete proposals for workshops.
Workshops
In total, there were twelve sessions in two workshop-rounds, each attending to relevant matters in prevention of HIV and STIs among ethnic minorities in the Netherlands. To give an idea of the topics and experiences presented: - Several methods for reaching and working with vulnerable groups such as HIV positive people, sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM), undocumented migrants and drug users;
- Interventions focussing on own strength, mobilizing and stimulating ethnic minority groups to take up own initiative and response in prevention activities;
- Ways to discuss sexual diversity within ethnic minority communities, tackling HIV-related stigma and discrimination, improving contraceptive choices, testing and treatment;
- Reflection on the role of primary health care in improving sexual health;
- Experiences in involving ethnic communities via church, mosque, self organisation, community centre and school at the local level;
- Implemented social media campaigns for culturally sensitive sexual health promotion and education;
- Evaluation of good practices, studies and models for assessment and evaluation of results.
Limberness
Kicking off the conference on schedule, rapper Bernice Banel provided for an energizer with well put lyrics relating to the day's theme. Though being a bit stunned by the audience at first, she ‘rocked the house'.
Then, the day's host, Tarik Yousif, welcomed the one hundred fifty (150) guests. They were a wide range of representatives from ethnic minority groups, professionals in the field of prevention and care, policy makers and researchers.
Being a cultural entrepreneur, radio- and television presenter and columnist, Tarik Yousif guided the guests and speakers through the morning's plenary session with flair and limberness. Three speakers reflected on facts and figures, on developments in national policy and daily practice in HIV/STIs prevention among ethnic minorities. Creative solutions
Ton Coenen, director of STI AIDS Netherlands, reflected on achieved results and insights in the prevention of HIV and STIs both in policy, in measures and in practice. He raised the challenge of moving forward in times of change and reduction of resources and appealed for cooperation and liaisons for creative solutions and wise correlations. Marianne van der Sande, head of department of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases Control at the RIVM, updated the guests on data and developments regarding HIV/STIs among ethnic minority groups in the Netherlands. Streetdoctor
Marcel Slockers, general practitioner and ‘streetdoctor' in Rotterdam, reflected on his daily practice and role as a general practitioner in working with migrants and ethnic minorities. He illustrated different dimensions and complexities in prevention and treatment of HIV/STI with concrete ‘cases'. These cases gave an insight in social and economical problems migrants encounter. Marcel Slocker stressed that not only cultural differences but also a different approach to sexual health are factors that influence health-seeking behaviour. Comfort food
Provided with the input of the plenary speakers and some healthy refreshments, the guests started on their first round of workshops. Followed with lunch and time to ‘digest', the participants exchanged and commented eagerly on the topics presented. Alliances and ideas for next steps were already starting to blossom as was the appreciation of the dishes presented: warm, nutritious so called ‘comfort food', adding to the value of the conference. Lunch was followed with the second round of workshops and provided an equal portrait of impressions. Based upon the immediate feedback of participants and the corridor conversations, the workshops provided insights, ideas, issues and concrete notions for next steps in the prevention of HIV and STIs among ethnic minorities. For example: the need for evaluation and disclosure of activities executed, combining activities and interventions of different parties towards specific groups on a local level and increasing involvement of ethnic minority groups themselves. Follow up meetings were already being scheduled and new connections were made; cards and numbers were vividly exchanged. Intermezzo
To give minds a rest, a theatre act of Sense Noord Nederland and Hindu community ‘Sub Sandesh Foundation' provided an intermezzo. The play is an example of activities from the Asense-intervention aiming at prevention of HIV/STIs among asylum seekers and migrants. The intervention was certified this year by the Centre for Healthy Living (Centrum Gezond Leven). It is an enchanting example of involvement of communities in addressing sexual health, discussing HIV and STIs and breaking taboos within ethnic minority groups. Professor Frank de Wolf, director of Stichting HIV Monitoring, continued the afternoon program with a view on and behind the statistics and data collected from research. City where minds meet
Last but not least, the Mayor of Amersfoort Mr. Lucas Bolsius, closed the conference's day by underlining the importance of assemblies like this conference, to enable the sharing of knowledge and experiences, to connect and progress in the steps ahead and to unite profound minds. He hinted on the city of Amersfoort as venue of the 6th Ethnic Minorities Conference, as being ‘the city where minds meet'. While ending the day's conference with some last refreshments, participants commented and complimented the day's program. ‘Follow up with working sessions to concrete plans and ideas and to start the co-operation intended' was one of the suggestions. ‘Besides this conference we have to think of ways to link parties and stay connected in every day practice', was another remark. The gathering of such a wide range of representatives involved, discussing topics from various perspectives and connecting was one the most heard comments on this conference. Altogether it seemed that the promise of the day's line-up was fulfilled.
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