A leader in the fight against HIV and AIDS in one African nation is serving as Elon's Periclean-in-Residence Oct. 19-26. Read more to learn about Philippe Talavera's public presentation at 7 p.m. this Sunday, Oct. 26, about the epidemic in Namibia...
An HIV/AIDS activist, filmmaker and head of the Red Ribbon campaign in Namibia, Talavera is Elon’s second Periclean-in-Residence as part of Project Pericles, a national initiative that encourages civic engagement and social responsibility among college students.
He spoke to a group of Elon’s Periclean Scholars during a class meeting Tuesday, Oct. 21 with Jim Brown, professor of history.
“If you work in a foreign country, you have to adapt yourself to the situation,” Talavera said. He stressed the importance of traveling with someone familiar with local customs. “There are certain things that will offend people, and you want to make sure you don’t make a mistake,” Talavera said.
Talavera also said many taboos, especially in rural Namibia, make the fight against HIV and AIDS difficult. “In some villages, you can’t use sexually-related words. There are very strong traditions that still define roles, especially the role of women in Namibia,” he said.
Talavera is director of the Ombetja Yehinga Organization, which specializes in the development of education material about HIV/AIDS for Namibian youth. Talavera has directed and produced several videos and short films to help break taboos and discuss sensitive issues, including “The Hyena’s Disease,” which makes use of songs and poems written by teenagers in the Kunene region of Namibia.
Namibia, located on the west coast of Africa, has been hit hard by HIV and AIDS. One in four Namibians suffer from HIV infection or AIDS, one of the highest rates on the continent.
Talavera will offer three public presentations at Elon, all which are free:
- Wednesday, Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m., Yeager Recital Hall, “Visually Fighting AIDS in Namibia.” This presentation focus on the creation of powerful documentaries
- Thursday, Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m., Yeager Recital Hall, “Empowerment and AIDS in Namibia.” This presentation will explore gender issues related to HIV and AIDS
- Sunday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m., Whitley Auditorium, “A Night of Hope.” This event to promote HIV/AIDS awareness is part of Elon University and Alamance County community night.