The third module of the 4th cycle of Harm Reduction Academy that took place from 22 till 26 January, 2018 brought participants from 13 countries to Malaysia. This is the first time Alliance for Public Health is organising the training as a part of the course in this country. It became possible with the support from Malaysian AIDS Council whose staff members showed their hospitality taking care of field visits and organising sessions which made participants familiar with harm reduction programme in Malaysia.
The module on policy, advocacy, community empowerment and mobilisation was interesting and thoughts provoking, building leadership skills and deepen knowledge.
The lead facilitators of the module Gloria Lai from IDPC created a special atmosphere where participants were happy to learn and share their experience of policy-making and advocacy activities. Tetiana Deshko from Alliance for Public Health in addition to theory gave examples of effective advocacy activities from Ukraine and across the globe and made sure participants think about further actions after completion of the course. Professor Adeeba Kamarulzaman (University of Malaysia) lead participants through global policy issues and examples from Malaysia. Dr Anita Sulaiman from Ministry of Health told about support of Malaysian government to harm reduction programmes. Edo Nasution from PKNI and Yati Jonet from MAC shared experience of developing leadership and empowering people who use drugs.
Zaki Arzmi from MAC and Audrey Edwards who is a journalist helped participants to develop skills on working with media around harm reduction issues.
Participants received certificates from the Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Ukraine in Malaysia Kyrylo Kalyta who greeted participants and wished them all the best in their further work developing harm reduction programmes in their countries. This confirmed the importance of Harm Reduction Academy for promotion of Ukraine as a leader in public health approaches.