The third biannual summit of leaders from the Pacific’s sexual minority communities will be hosted by the New Zealand AIDS Foundation (NZAF) over 29 October – 1 November 2009.

The NZAF is preparing for the Love Life3 Fono which will bring together participants from some of the most marginalised groups from within New Zealand and the Pacific nations to Te Mahurehure Marae in Auckland. 

Phylesha Brown-Acton, co-ordinator of the Love Life 3 Fono for the NZAF, says “the Love Life3 Fono has a strong emphasis on bringing together people from New Zealand-based Pacific communities and young Pacific people. Regional delegates from Pacific nations are carefully selected for their experience and ability to lead; there is a high expectation that skills acquired from the Fono will be transferred to their local communities.”

The inaugural Love Life Fono was held in 2005 and was instrumental in the development of several key organisations in the Pacific such as the Samoan AIDS Foundation, the Tongan Leiti Association and the Pacific Sexual Diversity Network. The Fono provides a safe, inclusive environment for people from Pacific Sexual Minorities groups from New Zealand and across the Pacific to discuss emerging issues like HIV prevention and health equity.

Brown-Acton says “sexual minorities are some of the communities most at risk of HIV in the Pacific. Research shows that the development of inclusive, strong and supportive communities and organisations is essential for building an HIV resilient New Zealand and Pacific.”

Registrations for the Love Life3 Fono will open Tuesday. 1 September 2009.  The Love Life 3 Fono programme can be found here.