Unaffordable registration fee for IAS conference in Bangokok

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends

It was not until last week that I was struck that the registration

fee for the IAS Bangkok meeting was way off the mark for an average

salaried physican in India. The registration fee at US$ 800-1000 is

two-three months salary of a phsyician in India.

My friend who had booked his tickets to Bangkok had to cancel his

trip when he realized that the registration fee was twice the cost of

air tickets from India to Bangkok. I felt very sorry and angry that

he was force to seek this option.

I know atleast three other people whose research was accepted for

presentation but could not make it becuase they could not afford. We

will all not have the benefit of learning from their research and

experience.

Several thougths came to my mind

- With such high costs, how many people from India and other resource

constrained nations can afford to be at Bangkok next month

- HIV disproportionatley affects people in these nations.

- So the representation at IAS meeting will be under represented

(disproportionate to the disease burden) by nations that are affected

the most by HIV/AIDS.

- If I can stretch this further - decision will/may be made by people

who will be attedning this conference on behalf of those who are

most affected but dont have an opportunity to participate in finding

solutions to their problems.

I feel uncomfortable at this ridiculously expensive registration fee

for the IAS meeting, which is way beyond people's affordability.

I wonder if there is any alternative to this for future meeting....

I am not aware of the logistics involved in arranging such huge

meetings. Do they really have to charge such ridiculously expensive

sums?

I would like to hear from people who have a better understanding of

such issues.

Thank You.

Vijayabhaskar Reddy Kandula

E-mail: [emailreddy@...]