The AIDS Conference will once again see the coming together of a diverse group of specialists, politicians, unionists and civil society activists working towards the same goal, namely controlling and reducing the spread of HIV and AIDS. This year the theme of the conference is “Universal Action Now.” The key issues to be discussed at the Conference include: strengthening health systems; dealing with specific regional issues such as stigma; establishing synergies between treatment and prevention and respect and promotion of human rights and gender equality in the context of the pandemic. Readers should also be aware that the organisers of the 2008 AIDS Conference are offering scholarships to community groups, marginalized communities and people living with HIV and AIDS. To find out more about applying, please click here: www.aids2008.org. For more information, please contact us at efaids@ei-ie.org.