Here is a comment from a reader on the Washington, DC conference called AIDS 2012 last month.

[him] moderator

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I am a bit concerned about the cost of these conferences, Washington being the last one. How many people went there? Is there any assessment of what they learned compared with the money they have spent: lodging, (I suppose people did not sleep in tents) food, air fare, per diem, etc. Who are the winners in these circuses -  air companies, posh hotels, etc.

In projects every condom distributed needs to be be monitored and evaluated. But participants at the Washington conference - were they evaluated? As we know these conferences are often a reward for middle project bureaucrats who are offered rest and recreation well deserved.

In many countries, the Global Fund is going to shrink its budget, and still delegations were sent to Washington. Was it useful for the fight against the epidemic and sustainable?

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