What is meaningful participation?

As a young person, you can do much more than simply attend the International AIDS Conference. Don't be afraid to be 'part' of the conference; young people are necessary agents of change that must be actively involved in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. The Youth Programme and YouthForce encourage youth to be more than 'onlookers', but rather active participants at the International AIDS Conference.

What can I do to prepare myself before attending the International AIDS Conference? The International AIDS Conference will give you access to new knowledge, skills, and networking.

Things to do before attending:

• Familiarise yourself with the program overview

• Regularly check the www.aids2006.org website in the lead up to the conference for program updates and key information.

• Make a list of any key people you know will be at the conference that you would like to network with. Do some research and see if you can make contact with them via email prior to the conference to arrange a meeting time. If this is not possible there are notice boards at the conference. We recommend that if you are going to leave a message on the notice board for people do it as soon as you arrive at the conference. As the week gets busier people are less likely to check the message boards.

• Know the issues that are most important to you. Research as much as possible beforehand so that you do not get too lost in technical complexities.

• Think about how information from the Conference will help the HIV/AIDS programs in your own community and highlight the 3 key areas you would like to gain more knowledge on and use these 3 key areas as the guide to helping you choose the sessions you would like to attend.

•Prioritize!
• What are the most important lessons you would like to bring back home?
• What struggles require the most urgent attention?
• What would you like to learn?
• Where would you like to go to feel supported in your work?
• Whom would you like to challenge regarding current policies on HIV/AIDS?

• Know ahead of time if there are people you might want to speak with once at the conference. If you have their contact information beforehand, it may make sense to drop them a note saying that you will look forward to chatting with them at the conference.

TRAVELING TO CANADA

By Airplane: Many airlines fly into Toronto from around the world.

Star Alliance is the official air carrier of the Conference. It is offering delegates and one accompanying companion 10-20% discounts off any Star Alliance airline published fares on certain participating airlines.

The participating airlines are:

• Air Canada
• Lufthansa
• Thai Airways International
• Scandinavian Airlines
• United
• Asiana
• US Airways
• Spanair
• Varig
• LOT Polish Airlines
• TAP Air Portugal

For more information: AIDS 2006 Conference Airline

Click for the full details of the offer (pdf).

The Lester B. Pearson Airport

Finding your way around: This airport is a bit confusing as it has three terminals. Depending on what airline carrier you take you will arrive in either Terminal 1, 2, or 3. Here is a list of the airline carriers in their respective terminals:

• Terminal 1 Airlines
• Terminal 2 Airlines
• Terminal 3 Airlines

Once you know what terminal you will arrive in you can take a look at the terminal guides which can be downloaded in pdf here: here.

Transportation from the Airport

To get from the airport to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and surrounding area you can

a. take a taxi (link to taxi section)
b. take a shuttle bus (link to bus section)
c. take public transit (The Toronto Transit Commission, also known as taking the TTC) (link to public transit from the airport section – not the general public transit section)

Taxi:

• Taxi rates around Toronto start at $2.75 and increase with time and distance traveled.
• From the Airport to downtown , there is usually a flat rate for a taxi of $46.00. A $1-3 dollar tip is optional.

Shuttle Bus:

• The Toronto Airport Express is a shuttle bus that will take you directly to hotels in the downtown area including:

The Intercontinental (directly connects to the MTCC)
Westin Harbour Castle
Royal York
Holiday Inn on King
Sheraton Centre
Bus Terminal/Metropolitan Hotel
Delta Chelsea Inn
Bond Place

• This is usually the best bet if you are traveling alone and do not feel like carrying your luggage on and off buses/subways and do not have a lot of money to spend on a taxi.
• The cost for a Student/Senior (Usually proof of being a student in school is required and is not based on age):
o One way to downtown is $14.85 and roundtrip is $28.35.
• For an Adult (usually 18 and above if you do not have a valid student ID)
o One Way downtown is $16.45 and Roundtrip is $28.35
• You can save 10 % off the ticket if you book online
• For more information visit: http://www.torontoairportexpress.com/

Public Transit:

• To get from the airport to downtown on the TTC (public transit system), you will have to transfer from a bus to a subway.
• This method of transit is a good choice if are not in a hurry and do not have very much baggage.
• For more information regarding public transit (ie. fares, specifics on how to transfer, etc.) see public transit (LINK TO PUBLIC TRANSIT SECTION)

From the Airport: where the bus leaves

The 192 Airport Rocket leaves
• Terminal 1: at the Ground Level.
• Terminal 2: at the Arrivals Level on the inner roadway, immediately next to the doorway at pillar number 17.
• Terminal 3: at the Arrivals Level on the outer roadway, located between pillars number C8 and C12.

It travels from there to Kipling Station, which is the last stop on the Bloor-Danforth Subway line. A map of the Subway system can be found here
in pdf. On the map of the subway system, Kipling is on the far left on the green line.

When does the bus leave:

Service operates from approximately 5:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., seven days a week. Here are the schedules of when the bus leaves:

• 192 schedule leaving Pearson Airport
• 192 schedule leaving Kipling Station

One-way travel time is approximately 20 minutes.

Where to go from Kipling Station:

To get to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre you should travel eastbound on the Bloor-Danforth (Green Line) until you reach St. George Station (about 30 minutes). Then transfer to the Yonge-University-Spadina Line (Yellow Line) Southbound until you reach Union Station.

From Union Station you can either walk west on Front Street until you reach the MTCC (about 5-10 minutes) or you can take the Skywalk, a weather protected walkway which connects Union Station to the MTCC.

For more information on Airport Service visit the TTC website by clicking here.

For a map from Union Station to the MTCC and more information about the MTCC visit the MTCC website.

By Car (From the U.S):

Toronto’s nearest Canada-United States border crossings in Ontario are at Niagara Falls and Fort Erie. A passport is the best identification for U.S. Residents. Citizens born in the U.S. can show a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, or naturalization, plus photo identification. Permanent residents of the U.S. who are not citizen need to bring their U.S. Permanent Resident Card (“green card").