World AIDS Day was on Saturday, as I think some of you already knew. Like many around the world, Lima was alive with events which were amazingly well-organized and -attended, if poorly advertised (I only knew about them because the people in my office all do research on HIV and thus informed me of the going-ons). As I mentioned in my post on soccer games, there is something really inspiring about rows of seats filled to capacity with people determined to celebrate life with as much enthusiasm and energy as the fire marshals will allow. Even more inspiring, though, are the individuals who come stand before this massive crowd to share their losses, successes, suffering and joys, all in an effort to reduce stigma and provide hope….and (this is Latin America) to encourage everyone to enjoy the party! I attended the event with one of my closer friends here, who happens not to be involved in medicine in any way (beyond her friendship with me). Navigating the AIDS-quilt-like display and stopping at booths filled with young adults hosting mock game shows on HIV, sexually transmitted diseases and prevention, she reminded me of the potential for education at events like these. The relaxed environment and non-judgmental attitudes of the young experts made what may have begun as a wander through the museum turn into an interesting opportunity for people to have all of their questions and doubts answered, and to learn about risks and preventions. If we all brought a friend….
I ended up giving a talk on education in human rights at a Latin American human rights conference on Saturday morning. The talk was in Spanish, and so I made it through as best as I could (with my speech written more or less verbatim on the slides just in case– I would recommend this for foreign language presentations, though obviously not otherwise). Despite the fact that I know I made mistakes, I was happily rewarded at the end with a lively discussion on education in health professionals, priorities and suggestions for the future. And, I am now working with the panel moderator, a young Peruvian doctor who has investigated and written on human rights issues in Peru for the last few years, on writing about human rights education in Latin America. In all seriousness, I believe in the power of good programming to foster young minds decidated to developing informed, innovative solutions to some of our worst problems. Who knew running for Global Health Education coordinator for AMSA 3 years ago would lead to education being my most comfortable and impassioned niche at this point? The folks at my high school summer program on teaching would be proud…
Ok, worn out after a crazy day of hospital, public health school, clinical research class and dancing. ‘Night.
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