School of Foreign Service’s Africa Forum hosts a screening and discussion of HIV/AIDS documentary
by Shahrooz Shahandeh (MSFS '13)
In observance of World AIDS Day and to engage the MSFS student body on issues associated with the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, the School of Foreign Service’s Africa Forum hosted a screening and discussion of the critically acclaimed HIV/AIDS documentary “A Closer Walk.”
“A Closer Walk” is the first film to depict mankind’s struggle with the global AIDS epidemic and focuses on a wide variety of HIV/AIDS cases from across the globe. The film’s story lines features interviews with more than 50 women, men, and young people from all walks of life who are dealing with HIV/AIDS. In addition, the film also featured individuals who are caring for HIV/AIDS victims: doctors, nurses, social workers, human rights advocates, researchers, NGO officials, and government leaders. The film aims to address the fundamental question: “What are the underlying causes of AIDS?” and focused on the nature of “the relationship between health, dignity, human rights, and the universal need for action.”
Over twenty graduate students attended the film screening and discussion on December 3, 2011. First-year Dylan Groves (MSFS ’13) and Sarah Moran (MSFS ’12), who are Board Members of The Africa Forum, facilitated the group discussion, which focused on issues of AIDS education, stigma, and discrimination.
“It was wonderful to be able to pull from the experiences other MSFS students who have worked in HIV/AIDS prevention or have had experiences working in regions of the world heavily effected by the epidemic,” said Groves. “Sharing our experiences in prevention work and fighting discrimination and stigmas associated with HIV/AIDS provided valuable insight on prevention efforts in different parts of the world,” Groves said.