HOPE Philippines, together with the HOPE Regional Network and our partners from LoveYourself, participated in the Asia Pacific AIDS and Co-infections Conference (APACC) 2023 held in Singapore from June 8 to 10, 2023.
In the symposium session “SESH Global: Crowdsourcing Solutions from the Community to End HIV in East Asia,” Mr. Arturo Ongkeko Jr, HOPE Philippines project manager and one of the key presenters, showcased how the HOPE Philippines team engaged Filipino communities in co-creating solutions to improve PrEP awareness and uptake using crowdsourcing. He presented the top three winning solutions and the pilot projects co-designed with FPOP Iloilo, SAIL Clinic Calamba and LoveYourself. A panel discussion followed on how to better involve end-users in the design of HIV prevention methods in East Asia. Joining Mr. Ongkeko as a panelist was Dr. Nina Castillo-Carandang, HOPE Philippines project leader, who highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships with community-based organizations that are actively engaged in service delivery across different regions of the country. Dr. Carandang asserted in the research and innovation implementation led by the team, it was vital to view the community as the heart of the process.
Prior to APACC 2023, the Asian Stigma and Discrimination Forum 2023 took place as part of the conference’s official pre-meeting event. HOPE Philippines’ partners from LoveYourself and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray presented the Philippines’ ongoing efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination among Filipinos through their various initiatives.