Horacio Barreda

What inspires you to work in the HIV field?

While systems fail, communities achieve breakthroughs with scarce resources. Paradoxically, post-pandemic policies are retreating from public health, favouring rhetoric that promises much for the few. Yet, I believe we are witnessing the final flare of denialism before a cycle ends. Science has delivered; now, culture and situated knowledge must lead the way to equity.

The history of the HIV response is a narrative of power and pain that exposes our societal vulnerabilities. The achievements of a stigmatized community saved millions of lives. My inspiration lies in honouring that legacy: to close the final gaps in mortality, and to prove that community leadership is vital for addressing intersectional realities – mental health, LGBTQ+ rights, comprehensive education and harm reduction.

What are your goals as an IAS change maker?

Confronting the stagnation caused by polarized discourse, I aim to drive a synthesis of positions. Care cannot thrive without public investment; nor can it succeed with data disconnected from culture. My objective is to leverage the IAS platform to build a cross-sector collaboration model where private companies, civil society and government co-create efficient public policies.

I seek to move beyond representation: I want LGBTQ+ youth to act as architects of their own communication campaigns, supply distribution networks and care models. My goal is to validate a scalable framework where young people are not just beneficiaries, but empowered decision makers regarding their own well-being and health services.