The Incredible Impacts Programme, a joint initiative by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and BestCities Global Alliance, have honored three associations who have left lasting legacies of social change – not only in the meetings industry, but in communities around the world.
They are:
+ The European AIDS Clinical Society: The 18th European AIDS Conference, to be held in London in October 2021, aims to spread awareness of the challenges facing marginalized communities and improve quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS. Impact legacies include a new London EACS Respect Committee, which asks conference attendees, politicians, celebrities and the public to sign a pledge to end stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and provide equitable access to medical treatment and services.
+ The Garden of Hope Foundation: This NGO founded the Asian Network of Women’s Shelters (ANWS), and has served Chinese Taipei for more than three decades. The organization spearheaded the Fourth World Conference of Women’s Shelters (4WCWS), held in Kaohsiung City, Chinese Taipei in November 2019 – the first time the conference has been held in an Asian city, thereby amplifying the voices of Asian communities.
+ Women Deliver: A leading global advocate for gender equality and the health and rights of girls and women, Women Deliver held its largest conference ever in Vancouver, Canada in June 2019. The event was attended by 8,000 people from 169 countries, as well as 200,000 participants online and through satellite events.
These three associations will each receive a grant of $7,500 (USD) to be used for future projects, in recognition of their excellence in hosting events that are moving the dial on global issues.