It’s all about people … people and communities …those affected by Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and the incredible NTD NGO Network (NNN) community working together to eliminate NTDs.
For my first NNN 2026 Conference blog, I am celebrating and thanking the inspiring, creative and energetic people and community groups I have so enjoyed working with in the run up to and during this year’s NNN 2026 Conference in Kigali, Rwanda.
With this year’s theme focused on people, community-led action and stronger health systems, I am excited to take on a new NNN Community Engagement role. Using my French, Spanish and facilitation skills, I am supporting the delivery of the NNN Strategic Plan 2026-2030, helping to strengthen community engagement, increase participation from francophone and Latin American endemic countries, and ensure the voices of people affected by NTDs are represented across the network.
It has been a privilege to start building the foundations and work closely with:
- The NNN Steering and Conference Committees to shape and deliver the programme.
- The High Plenary Task Group, Affected Community and Stakeholder Response Panels, whose heartfelt, powerful calls to action opened the conference.
- Representatives from 10 French-speaking African countries who joined our first Francophone Consultation – I am excited to continue our conversations en français.
- The Ensuring Sustainable Systems Working Group and NNN Community of Practice on Integrating NTDs into primary health care, who created an interactive plenary session with French-language group activities.
- The DMDI Working Group, to set up our first Affected Communities Hub and support the 27 persons affected by NTDs who attended.
- The Submission Task Group and Volunteer Reviewers who ensured a fair selection process to enable us to create a balanced and engaging programme.
- Janine Lancaster and the wonderful MYT Events team, supported by venue and AV partners, who consistently go above and beyond to look after our attendees.
Thank you to Aparna Barua Adams, the NNN Chair, and Dorin Turgeman, NNN Past-Chair, for trusting me with these new Community Engagement opportunities, including piloting a Quiet Reflection space that offered attendees a chance to pause, reflect and recharge during a busy conference programme.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the NNN 2026 Conference. It was a pleasure meeting so many new people, and I look forward to continuing our collaboration into 2027.
