Legacy Programme of EACS 2025

The Legacy Programme of #EACS2025 in Paris is designed to create a lasting, non-material impact that extends beyond the Conference itself. Co-organised by local organisations and individuals, it focuses on HIV awareness, community engagement, and access to care.

Through exhibitions, public events and community spaces the programme reflects the experiences of people living with HIV and the work being done to support them. It offers opportunities to connect with broader audiences and highlight key issues in a way that resonates both within the Conference and across the city of Paris.

Discover below the full overview of all activities within the Legacy Programme! 

Paris Declaration
 

Protecting Rights, Preserving Health: A Call to Support Communities in the Fight Against HIV

The EACS 2025 Paris Declaration urges governments, institutions, and the European Union to renew and strengthen their support for community-based organisations, which play a vital role in ending the HIV epidemic across Europe. With 2.3 million people living with HIV and over half of diagnoses still occurring late, the Declaration highlights the urgent need to protect and reinforce community structures, especially those supporting migrants and people in precarious conditions. These organisations promote prevention, encourage testing, and ensure access to treatment, while also addressing basic needs and defending human rights. In a context of rising intolerance and shrinking health budgets, their work is more essential than ever.

Full declaration available soon.

 
 
The Legacy Programme places community voices at the heart of the Conference. Dedicated spaces and events showcase the vital role of community and partner organisations in shaping HIV responses:
  • Community Corner: a space within the Conference venue, designed to highlight the contributions of community actors in HIV prevention, care, and advocacy. It hosts interactive exhibits, storytelling sessions, and opportunities for networking and collaboration. (On level 2 of the Conference venue)
    Explore the Community Corner
  • Special Sessions: Focused discussions organised by partners of EACS that offer opportunities for peer exchange and shared learning. These sessions bring together individuals from various organisations to discuss experiences, ideas, and approaches in HIV care and support. Have a look at the programme to see when the Special Sessions take place.
  • Booths: A platform for community groups to share their work, engage with attendees, and foster collaboration throughout the Conference.

 

To extend the impact of #EACS2025 beyond the Conference itself, a series of public-facing events are held at the Palais des Congrès and across Paris:

Art Exhibition: “Dreams of Children Living with HIV in Ukraine Amid the War”

This initiative gives a voice to children living with HIV who are often unheard. Amid the full-scale war, many Ukrainian children face displacement, stigma, and silence surrounding their diagnosis. Their drawings, stories, and letters reflect strength, hope, and the simple right to dream. While focused on Ukraine, the exhibition also speaks to the challenges faced by children living with HIV worldwide, especially in contexts of conflict, poverty, and marginalisation. It offers a message of resilience and a call to recognise their dreams with compassion and solidarity. (On level 3 of the Conference venue)

EACS Art Exhibition

The EACS Art Exhibition showcases artworks that reflect the diversity of experiences and perspectives within the community. It features pieces created by people living with HIV, community organisations, and professional artists, highlighting themes such as stigma, resilience, identity, and activism. The exhibition aims to foster dialogue, raise awareness, and celebrate creativity as a powerful tool for engagement and change. (On level 2 of the Conference venue)

Artère Itinérante by Fabrice Hyber

In the Exhibition Hall a travelling version of L’Artère, Le Jardin des dessins (Garden of Drawings) is on display. Conceived in 2003 by Fabrice Hyber for Sidaction, the original installation is permanently located at Parc de la Villette in Paris and spans 1,001 m², composed of 16,000 hand-drawn ceramic tiles created over four years. Rather than a static monument, L’Artère is a living space for remembrance and knowledge, honouring scientists, communities, and allies in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The version shown at EACS 2025 offers a symbolic and artistic reflection on the epidemic’s history, transmission, and scientific progress, contributing to the Conference’s commitment to awareness and dialogue. (On level 2 of the Conference venue)

Public Conference – 14 October 2025

A free public event (in French) takes place on Tuesday, 14 October 2025, from 16:30 to 18:30 CEST at Hôpital Saint-Louis in Paris. The programme reflects on the early years of HIV/AIDS, explore how people live with HIV today, present new prevention tools, and highlight the role of associations and community actors.
Register here

Charity Run – “Living Free with HIV” – 18 October 2025

The charity run takes place on Saturday, 18 October 2025, starting at 15:00 in the Bois de Boulogne, Paris. The 4.2 km route includes forest paths, closed roads, and lakeside sections. Participation involves a symbolic donation (€10 regular / €5 students and community members) and includes a bib number and finisher’s medal.
Register and join the run

Patchwork of Names

The Patchwork Ceremony takes place in the Community Corner and offers a moment of collective reflection and remembrance. Organised by Les Ami.e.s du Patchwork des Noms, the initiative brings together community members, advocates, and allies to honour those lost to AIDS. Each textile patch in the quilt represents a personal story, message, or tribute, forming a vibrant tapestry of resilience and solidarity. Through public displays and name readings, the ceremony creates a symbolic space for grief, connection, and celebration, highlighting the shared journeys that continue to shape the HIV response.

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