Irish Aid Annual Lecture: Solidarity in face of HIV at a time of global crisis

The Irish Aid Annual Professor Father Michael Kelly Lecture - 2020 will be held online under the theme: Solidarity in the Face of HIV at a Time of Global Crisis, on World Aids Day, December 1 from 12noon to 2pm Irish Time (GMT).

The live web event will feature a keynote speech from Professor Father Michael Kelly which will be delivered as a video address. Other speakers include The Minister of Health for Ethiopia, Dr Lia Tadesse Gebremdhin and Chief of Staff, at The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Marijke Wijnroks. A welcome by the Irish Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy, TD will set the tone for the event. The full list of speakers and panelists can be viewed on the page below.

This year's event will also feature a collaboration of youth choirs with the launch of an original music video by Africaid Zvandiri Youth Choir in Zimbabwe and the SpeakUp SingOut SUSO Youth Choir in County Kildare.

For over 50 years, Tullamore-born Professor Father Michael J Kelly has worked tirelessly in the fight against HIV/AIDS in his naturalised country of Zambia, and internationally, spreading the message of strength, dignity, and hope for those affected and at risk.

Much has been learned about the response to the COVID-19 pandemic from years of experience in dealing with HIV and AIDS, both in terms of community engagement and leadership.

With higher risks of infection for people in certain groups, including in healthcare settings and among vulnerable groups, learnings about HIV stigma, testing, treatment and prevention programmes can all be leveraged as we join in solidarity in the face of this global pandemic.

It is important to remember that HIV and AIDS has not gone away. And more than ever, we must call on all communities to redouble efforts so that the progress thus far achieved is not eroded. An important learning of the HIV response is that it a true global health challenge, that like COVID-19 does not recognise borders.

We will hear from speakers in Ethiopia, South Africa, Ireland and Switzerland - speakers this year will come from a variety of backgrounds, but all have one goal in common - solidarity in the face of HIV in their communities.

See the Zoom link for free registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qFYwxPj3T0u5RvgP16aHHg