ICASA 2013Grassroot Soccer is looking forward to playing a role in the upcoming International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) in Cape Town, South Africa.  On 7-11 December, Grassroot Soccer will join 10,000 of the world’s leading scientists, policy makers, activists, HIV experts, and government leaders in the debate on how to achieve the vision of an AIDS-free Africa.

We’re excited to share best practices, engage delegates, and learn from others during the conference.  If you are going to be in attendance at ICASA, we would love to see you at some of our events!

UNAIDS Executive Director and Grassroot Soccer Global Board Member, Michel Sidibé, will be a key delegate at ICASA and give opening remarks for ICASA on 7 December.

Satellite Session: “Sport for Development: Innovative Approaches to HIV Prevention”
Tuesday, 10 December at 12:45 – 2:15. Convention Centre in Meeting Room 6.
Grassroot Soccer hosts loveLife and Kicking AIDS Out to discuss how sport for development organisations have a powerful impact in the fight against HIV.

Poster: “Perceptions of a Soccer-Based Intervention to Increase VMMC Uptake in Zimbabwe: A Qualitative Study.”
Tuesday-Wednesday, 10 -11 December from 10:15 – 5:30. Exhibition Hall 2.
Qualitative findings from a cluster-randomised trial assessing the effectiveness of Grassroot Soccer’s “Make the Cut” intervention, aimed at increasing voluntary medical male circumcision uptake in Zimbabwe.

Interactive Exhibition Booth
Sunday-Wednesday, 8-11 December from 10:00 – 5:00. Exhibition Area.
Come learn how the world’s most popular game can be used to stop the spread of HIV. Talk with our team and join in fun activities from the Grassroot Soccer programmes.

“Accountability Chat” hosted by AIDS Accountability International: featuring Grassroot Soccer Curriculum Development Manager Jamison Merrill
Wednesday, 11 December from 10:00 – 11:00. Community Village.
The session will focus on Grassroot Soccer’s work in sport for development and lead to a small group discussion about accountability.

Grassroot Soccer received 100 Youth Scholarships from ICASA for young people to attend the conference. We have invited youth from Khayelitsha to join GRS staff and Coaches in order to increase their exposure to research conferences and important health issues relevant to their communities.

In conjunction with the conference, Grassroot Soccer is also hosting an HIV Counselling and Testing Tournament at Kwamfundo Secondary School in Khayelitsha on Saturday, 7 December. The soccer tournament will be paired with free access to HIV and TB testing and will feature a community roundtable discussion about youth employment with local Khayelitsha businesses, stakeholders, and GRS Coaches.

If you have questions about any of these events or would like to attend, you can reach out to sacommunications@grassrootsoccer.org. We hope to see you there!