Advocacy-for-Cure Academy | International AIDS Society (IAS)

This academy, organized with AVAC, awards fellowships to advocates or peer educators to take part in workshops on HIV cure advocacy with international experts. The academy develops fellows’ cure research literacy and reinforces their advocacy and engagement skills in line with recommendations from Research priorities for an HIV cure: International AIDS Society Global Scientific Strategy 2021.

Applications are now closed.

Programe type

Fellowships

Opportunity Type

Short term (less than 6 months)

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Cure Academies Eligible Countries

Program User Type

I am an advocate

Sekgabo Seselamarumo

What inspires you to work in the HIV field? As a young woman living openly with HIV, my personal journey has been the driving force behind my commitment to the HIV field. I have experienced firsthand the challenges and stigma associated with HIV, inspiring me to advocate for those who may not have a voice. My work with various organizations, including Sentebale and BONEPWA+, has allowed me to connect with and support young people living with HIV, providing them with the resources and knowledge to live positively. Witnessing the resilience and strength of individuals in my community motivates me daily to continue this vital work. I believe that through education, advocacy and community support, we can reduce stigma, improve access to healthcare, and empower those living with HIV to lead fulfilling lives. My involvement in HIV research, particularly presenting findings at international conferences, has further fuelled my commitment to advancing knowledge and solutions in this field. Additionally, my role as a co-host on Radio Positive has enabled me to reach a broader audience, raising awareness about HIV prevention, treatment and the importance of mental health. Engaging with experts and sharing valuable information through radio has been a powerful tool in educating and empowering listeners. These combined experiences inspire me to continue advocating for better healthcare, education and support for individuals affected by HIV, striving to create a more inclusive and informed society. What are your goals as an IAS change maker? As an IAS change maker, my goals are to amplify the voices of young people living with HIV, reduce stigma, and promote health and well-being through education and advocacy. Leveraging my personal experience and professional expertise, I aim to improve access to healthcare and empower individuals living with HIV to lead fulfilling lives. I am committed to using various platforms, including social media, to raise awareness and disseminate accurate information about HIV prevention, treatment and mental health. Through my work on Radio Positive and active engagement on social media, I strive to reach a broader audience, spark meaningful conversations and connect with communities in need. By presenting research findings at international conferences, I aim to contribute to the global understanding of HIV and advocate for evidence-based policies and solutions. My ultimate goal is to create a more informed, inclusive and supportive society, where young people living with HIV are empowered, heard and able to thrive.

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Brian Mutebi

What inspires you to work in the HIV field? I was affected by HIV and AIDS early in my life. I was 10 when I lost my mother to AIDS. That nearly ended my chances of getting an education. I had a difficult childhood, which, however, I have tried to turn into a springboard for the success of my community. I founded the charity, Education & Development Opportunity – Uganda, which supports young people and communities affected and living with HIV. I have witnessed the devasting impact of HIV and AIDS on individuals, families and communities, and I seek to use my education, training and skills to contribute to improving their lives. That’s why I strongly believe in the HIV cure research agenda, therapy and community support and strengthening health systems, including knowledge management, to improve the health and well-being of people, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged. What are your goals as an IAS change maker? My goals are to enhance the impact of my work in Uganda through networking, learning and sharing experiences, building partnerships, and mobilizing resources for HIV work by tapping into the IAS-rich global network and resources.  

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Kennedy Mupeli

What inspires you to work in the HIV field? As an HIV activist, I am deeply inspired every day by the resilience and struggles of those ageing with HIV, including myself. My commitment as a treatment literacy trainer is driven by a profound urgency to end the HIV pandemic. Through targeted education and persistent advocacy, I strive to alleviate the burden of HIV and champion health equity. My work is not just a job; it is a testament to the incredible power of resilience and the collective effort required to end this pandemic. By uniting our voices and resources, I firmly believe that we can create a future free from the pain and challenges imposed by HIV. This mission is at the heart of everything I do, pushing me to inspire, educate and lead in the HIV response with every tool and opportunity available. What are your goals as an IAS change maker? As an IAS change maker, my primary goal is to enhance the global HIV response through advocacy, aiming to influence international policies for equitable access to HIV services, especially for marginalized communities. I plan to increase education and awareness, promoting treatment literacy and reducing stigma through extensive campaigns and outreach. Strengthening research collaborations is essential, fostering partnerships between researchers, healthcare providers and policy makers to innovate in HIV prevention and treatment. Empowering affected communities is central to my objectives, ensuring that people living with HIV, particularly in resource-limited settings, are involved in decisions affecting their lives. Finally, I am committed to implementing sustainable practices in the HIV response, adapting strategies to meet evolving challenges and ensuring long-term effectiveness. Through these focused efforts, I aim to contribute significantly to the HIV response, paving the way for a future where the pandemic no longer poses a significant public health threat.  

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Yusuf Hassan Wada

What inspires you to work in the HIV field? I got inspired to work in the HIV field when I learnt that advocacy for cure is an indispensable part of the HIV cure agenda and young people can play a great role in advocating for improvement in health outcomes among people living with HIV and vulnerable populations. I see a future where young people take charge in solving challenges that have been bottlenecks in achieving a world free of AIDS. This is a future where young people are involved in all part of the response in communities, governments, policy, regulations, funding, research and advocacy to strengthen the chain. This will promote meaningful engagement to understand the problem and proposed solutions being pursued, accessing concerns and generating implementation insights. It is also a way to apply the skills and opportunities I had, following others who’ve just been great examples and models. What are your goals as an IAS change maker? My goal as an IAS change maker is to contribute my best and serve as a role model in moving towards an AIDS-free world, especially from a youth perspective. I’m also fortunate to be involved in many high-level activities, and I have a responsibility to set a good impression about the IAS fellowships and capacity building I have gone through. Today, I serve on the Community Advisory Board of the Pediatric Adolescent Virus Elimination (PAVE) and as a representative of the Global PAVE on the National Institutes of Health’s Martin Delaney Collaboratory for HIV cure research. I foresee a future where I act as a leader in the HIV advocacy and cure research, which will push low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria to streamline HIV cure as part of their strategy and plan and as part of their key health agenda.

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Talkmore Taurai Mazorodze

What inspires you to work in the HIV field? HIV has affected me in different ways, including losing close relatives and loved ones. The experience motivated and inspired me to be involved and work in the HIV field. It has always been my passion to improve the lives of people living with and affected by HIV and one day be counted among those individuals who have worked so hard to end the epidemic. The issue of HIV-related stigma and discrimination in our communities motivated me to educate people about HIV and show people that HIV was not about other people, but our families. What are your goals as an IAS change maker? My goals an IAS change maker are: To see an end to HIV-related stigma and discrimination through community outreach (education and social media) An increased understanding of HIV cure research information by people living with HIV in the communities across Eswatini To increase the understanding of U=U (undetectable = untransmittable) information among people living with HIV and healthcare workers

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Stacey Okeyo

What inspires you to work in the HIV field? I am a victim and this has been my number one driver. Apart from that, I believe that we all have equal chances and rights to enjoy all that life has to offer, regardless of one’s status or circumstances. Hence my urge and thirst in this field. What are your goals as an IAS change maker? My goals are to: Change the world and my community in HIV matters. Contribute thoughts, opinions, options, ideas and manpower to a better IAS. Carry the glory and pride of the IAS anywhere and everywhere its name is mentioned because of its positive impact in the field of HIV.

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Sinah Teemane

What inspires you to work in the HIV field? As a person with a social science background, what motivates me the most in the HIV cure field is seeing people’s willingness to participate in HIV treatment. This is mostly achieved in community system strengthening approaches. I have used community conversations-community capacity enhancements, using the chieftaincy as an advocacy target in HIV prevention programmes. Botswana has recently engaged a model called Community Acting Together to Control HIV (CATCH). Biomedical researchers investigate and develop interventions, and establish their work in optimal conditions. Social science will make sure that these interventions are effective in the real world and are embraced by affected communities. What are your goals as an IAS change maker? My main goal as an HIV cure advocacy alumni is to build community competency in addressing HIV cure and research and advocacy strategies. I will be happy to see greater public awareness on HIV cure research and advocacy strategies in my country. Botswana has been at the epicentre of the HIV epidemic for decades and has led the continent in its response to the crisis. The Botswana-Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health AIDS Institute Partnership was established in partnership with the Botswana Ministry of Health in 1996. I would like to see chiefs taking the lead in raising awareness in their communities to realize the importance of HIV cure and research. The kgotla system (chieftaincy) is a platform for regular consultations on national issues between the government and various leaders of opposition parties, where everyone has the right to voice their opinions.

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Reuben Silungwe

What inspires you to work in the HIV field? I have witnessed people close to me die of AIDS-related causes and I have a close family member living with HIV. Being a member of a key population, I believe I do understand what it means to face multiple stigma and discrimination and its impact on the access and utilization of healthcare in hostile settings despite the steady engagement of key populations. Structural issues remain problematic and must be challenged. The quality of care and client-informed support makes a difference in the response in addressing the gaps in HIV treatment, care and support. I believe there is no meaningful response to HIV without an HIV cure agenda that takes into account the community and low-income countries and their role in the HIV and AIDS response. What are your goals as an IAS change maker? My goal is to see communities most affected by HIV and AIDS meaningfully engaged and consulted on issues about them in the national, regional and global responses to HIV and AIDS. We may not be clinical experts in the treatment of HIV in medical terms. But being disproportionately affected by HIV makes us co-experts in finding better interventions in changing the course of HIV and AIDS, as well as ending the epidemic. Research has contributed to the understanding HIV and AIDS, but there is still a need to engage researchers from previously underrepresented groups, such as key populations, and investing in infrastructure that includes us in the research agenda.

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Q Bee B Chihera Meki

What inspires you to work in the HIV field? Being a trans woman is a big challenge; you get beaten, harassed and raped and have nowhere to report it. A few months later, you go for testing with your new partner and discover that you are positive. I lost him. I lost half of my close family and friends. With AVAC and other activists and advocates, I began to have hope in biomedical prevention. I chose to dedicate my life to helping my fellow trans people and others in the LGBTIQ community. This is to bring hope and find ground for biomedical and other treatment to include us so that we have variety of prevention methods. What are your goals as an IAS change maker? These are my goals: Inclusion and involvement in research on the trans and intersex community Making sure that research is community led Engagement between scientists, advocates and activists, and the community Africa leading research for an HIV cure STIs also to have a vaccine and many methods of prevention Strengthening the hope of the community living with HIV Transparency and accountability

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Oguzhan Nuh

What inspires you to work in the HIV field? I believe my story can raise awareness and create understanding of how discrimination fuelled by stigma affects the lives of people living with HIV. Also, I believe there is need for researchers who are also community members in order to influence the stigma and discriminatory language within academic networks. What are your goals as an IAS change maker? My goals are to reach out to as many people as possible and share my experiences and knowledge, which I have gained doing HIV advocacy for five years.

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The IAS promotes the use of non-stigmatizing, people-first language. The translations are all automated in the interest of making our content as widely accessible as possible. Regretfully, they may not always adhere to the people-first language of the original version.

Sekgabo Seselamarumo

Brian Mutebi

Kennedy Mupeli

Yusuf Hassan Wada

Talkmore Taurai Mazorodze

Stacey Okeyo

Sinah Teemane

Reuben Silungwe

Q Bee B Chihera Meki

Oguzhan Nuh

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