Amar Timalsina is the global network coordinator for the International Association for Integration, Dignity and Economic Advancement.
He reports on his recent trip to Kigali:
I attended the Neglected Tropical Diseases NGO Network conference, from September 29 to October 1, in Kigali, Rwanda. The conference brought together people with personal experience of neglected tropical diseases, civil society organizations, researchers, health professionals, governments, and other partners from around the world to strengthen collaboration and advance efforts to address neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
The main theme of this year’s conference was “People, Systems and Resilience.” I was especially encouraged by the strong emphasis on the meaningful participation and representation of people with lived experience.
Another beautiful aspect of the conference was that the main plenary session began with four panelists who themselves have lived experience of NTDs. I found this particularly meaningful because it placed the voices and experiences of affected people at the very heart of the conference from the beginning. It was a powerful reflection of the theme and of the importance of meaningful participation.
I was deeply honoured to moderate the main plenary session and, altogether, had the privilege of contributing to five different sessions. I was also grateful for the opportunity to present IDEA International’s Strategy 2026–2030, highlighting our commitment to strengthening the leadership and meaningful participation of people with lived experience of Hansen’s disease and other NTDs.
These three days were truly blessed and meaningful, with many opportunities to learn, share, build relationships, and strengthen our common commitment to restoring dignity and ensuring that people with lived experience are at the centre of the response.