GEC attends HIV leadership event to develop young people's advocacy skills
Photo courtesy of LetsStopAIDS
Members of the Global Equality Caucus have attended an HIV advocacy conference in Toronto to work with young people on policy advocacy.
NoTimeToWait 2023, Canada’s largest youth-HIV leadership event, took place across two days at Toronto Metropolitan University and welcomed over 100 inspiring young people from around the world looking to enhance their advocacy skills.
Organised by the youth-driven Canadian charity LetsStopAIDS, the two-day programme (20-21 October) included multiple workshops and panel sessions focused on knowledge exchange and upskilling in HIV policy advocacy, with the Global Equality Caucus leading two sessions across the conference.
In a workshop on Day One, members of the GEC Secretariat - alongside Steering Committee member Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis, a former leader of a youth HIV charity in Massachusetts - demonstrated the fundamental aspects of legislative advocacy and shared strategies with young activists on how to work within existing political systems to effect change.
(L-R): GEC Director Alan Wardle, Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis, Cllr. Chris Moise. On screen (L-R): Molly Chan, founder of REAL JUSTICE+, and Lisa Lachance MLA.
In a panel discussion on Day Two, moderated by GEC Director Alan Wardle, conference attendees heard from Canadian and American legislators about their experiences advocating for inclusive laws.
The panellists - Lisa Lachance MLA of Nova Scotia, Jack Patrick Lewis of Massachusetts, and local Toronto ward councillor Chris Moise - also gave feedback on an HIV advocacy campaign created by a young activist from Guatemala, who had benefitted from LetsStopAIDS’ global training programme PrEP the Future.
Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis and Cllr. Chris Moise speak with Shamin Mohamed Jr., founder of LetsStopAIDS.
The Global Equality Caucus would like to thank LetsStopAIDS for their hospitality during the event and for delivering a successful programme; the Offices of Lisa Lachance and Chris Moise for their collaboration; and ViiV Healthcare for supporting NoTimeToWait 2023.