Over sixty representatives from twenty-one Caribbean territories, including Guyana, are in Georgetown this week for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Eighth Capacity Building Workshop of the Caribbean Regional Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (CRN+). The AGM got underway on Wednesday, 6 October and will be followed by the Workshop over the next two days, at Le Meridien Pegasus.

Under the theme Stabilisation + Internal Growth = Expansion, the AGM will review, among other issues, the proposed new structure of the organisation and Care and Treatment for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The recently launched Anti Stigma and Discrimination campaign by CRN+ and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies will also come up for discussion.

Winds of Change is the theme for the Eight Capacity Building Workshop, which is aimed at determining the concrete consequences of the implementation of CRN+'s amended Constitution, and initiating the action plan and implementation processes. The Action and Implementation Plan are in keeping with the four major recommendations of Human Resources Development Limited consulting intervention spearheaded by Mr. Stevenson Sarjeant.

Established in 1986 and headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago, CRN+ is part of the Global Network of PLWHA (GNP+) based in the Netherlands.

CRN+ is one of the five core members of the CARICOM-led Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) and a member of the PANCAP Steering Committee. It has played a critical role in shaping the policy and programme direction of PANCAP, and has lead responsibility for Care and Treatment, one of seven priority areas in the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework (CRSF) and a pivotal one in the Region's accelerated response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

A strong advocate for the stemming of stigma and discrimination against PLWHAS, CRN+ is one of the key members of the Planning Committee of the UK/CARICOM sponsored High Level Conference entitled: Champions for Change: Reduce Stigma and Discrimination Against People Living with HIV/AIDS! This conference is scheduled for 22-24 November in St. Kitts and Nevis.

The Annual General Meeting commenced with a brief Opening Ceremony, at which Ms. Stacey Wilson, Chairman of CRN+ and President of the Guyanese Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS welcomed delegates, while the Regional Coordinator of CRN+, Ms. Yolanda Simon delivered the Opening Remarks.