Ihra’s 23rd Harm Reduction Conference– Vilnius, 9-12 June, 2013 Quick Overview: Day 2 & Closing

On The second day of the Conference, the rain was flooding all over the windows of the Radisson Blue Hotel. We can see some delegates insisting on walking under the rain and getting wet to say their word on Harm reduction. As usual, the area was extremely busy with the delegates checking if they missed out on any information at the booths, and looking into new additions. New faces are also here to register to attend the remainder.

The Conference Programme started with one of the priorities nowadays:”Financing of Harm Reduction” where the world bank, the UNODC, EATG and the GFATM presented the importance to tackle harm reduction based on cost-effectiveness. Then three major sessions on Human Rights Violations, HR and Tuberculosis and Values of HR were introduced. There was a constant media presence, eager to interview the community and take photos of the event.

A number of study tours were organized to Harm Reduction centers in Vilnius, and in the area we can see here and there many networking meetings, and delegates presenting their poster on many approaches to tackle HR at the global level. In parallel, interesting short movies showed people experiences and challenges in this field followed by discussions. And then at the end of each day practical presentations through workshops were held on outreach, overdose, advocacy and other relevant topics.

And here arrive the last day of the Conference: days went so fast!!
People were grabbing the last chance to meet each other and to get in contact with new people.
Before the day ended, a MENAHRA meeting was held right after the launch and gathered a number of people coming from Lebanon, Afghanistan and Morocco. Three topics were tackled in the meeting: self introduction, evaluation of the conference and how to make it benefit more people, and the expectations of the participants from MENAHRA with suggestions to increase networking with each other.
After, the meeting MENAHRA was there in the Dialogue space to introduce the MENA situation concerning Harm Reduction, although the participation was shy but interesting questions raised on specific relevant issues.
At the closing session we feel that the Conference went too fast, we can see positive feedback from speakers and some delegates. And Rick Lines (HRI Executive Director) invited people to meet again in other upcoming Conferences that MENAHRA’s second one will take place in Beirut, lebanon on November 2013.

So see you all in Beirut!

Cheers,
The MENAHRA team