Conference Director

What are you most looking forward to about HR25? 

Showcasing Colombia and the wider Latin American region to our delegates from elsewhere. There’s such a lot we can learn. 

What’s your dream project? 

Organising this conference in Colombia is pretty dreamy so far! 

What’s your favourite conference memory? 

Probably the Thai Drug Users’ Network’s protest against the country’s brutal war on drugs at the opening of the conference in Chiang Mai in 2003. The bravery of those activists was astounding. 

What’s different about this conference than other conferences you’ve been? 

The sense of community, definitely. 

Conference Director

Why do we convene people? 

Because nothing beats being in a room together. We gather to feel part of a movement, to support each other, to share ideas, to make decisions on how to advance and hug! 

What’s your dream project? 

I think my dream project would be running a huge music festival. I also have a secret desire to plan a big fun wedding (but only for someone else)! 

What’s your favourite thing about the conference? 

Laughing, crying, hugging, being part of a team! 

What’s your favourite conference memory? 

It’s always the awards presentations – watching people be celebrated for their tireless work is an incredible joy. 

Conference Liaison

Why do we convene people? 

To foster collaboration, share knowledge, and inspire innovation for meaningful change. 

What’s your dream project? 

To establish a comprehensive network in Colombia dedicated to harm reduction. This initiative would support and empower communities impacted by the adverse effects of drug use and related public policies. The goal is to achieve sustainable health improvements, uphold social justice, and respect human rights in Colombia. 

What music do you listen to when you’re working? 

When I’m working on focused tasks or writing, I prefer instrumental music, such as classical or ambient soundtracks, to maintain concentration. When I’m stressed or need a boost of energy, I listen to upbeat and motivating music, like pop or 80s rock. 

What’s your favourite thing about the conference? 

My favourite thing about the conference is the sense of community and shared purpose. There’s an incredible energy that comes from being surrounded by passionate individuals who are all committed to making a positive impact.  

Virtual Conference Coordinator

Why do we convene people? 

Convening people makes us understand and appreciate the fact that no matter where we come from, our language or origin, at the end of the day the thing that matters to all of us is the same: ensuring a dignified life for ourselves and our loved ones.  

What are you looking forward to the most about this conference? 

The one aspect I am most excited about is the chance to interact with so many brilliant people from all over the world, especially the HRI Team. After working together (remotely) for almost a year, we will finally meet in person and see our hard work come to life. Moreover, the opportunity to visit the beautiful country of Colombia is just the sweetest cherry on top! 

What’s your dream project? 

My dream project is to create a multimedia journal focused on gender-based narratives: a global virtual repository of gender stories that can give us a true and humanised picture of where we stand concerning gender equality. 

What music do you listen to when you’re working? 

My work soundtrack can lie anywhere on the scale of meditative music on one end and Punjabi hip-hop on the other. It is all about the mood and vibes of the day! 

Conference Assistant

Why do we convene people? 

We convene people to share knowledge and create spaces of conversation, demonstrating why harm reduction is important and showcasing examples of drug policy reform that work.  

What are you most looking forward to about HR25? 

I’m looking forward to this year’s conference as it is hosted in a country from the Global South. Bringing the conference to Latin America will set an example to Colombia’s neighbouring countries that suffer significant impacts from the drug trade.  

What’s your dream project? 

My dream project is to contribute to change Ecuador’s narrative around drugs, its use and policies, and make changes grounded on social justice and human rights.   

What’s your favourite thing about the conference? 

My favourite thing about the conference is bringing together voices from different backgrounds that may never come across on a day-to-day basis, but who share a common purpose. 

Conference Medical Lead

Why do we convene people? 

Working in harm reduction or drug policy advocacy can be isolating at times and the opportunity to reconnect with thousands of people with the same passion can be incredibly refreshing and important for the work as well as the people involved. For me the real significance of convening people is what happens around that and the chance that delegates have to share their expertise and passion with each other on a personal level. 

What are you most looking forward to the most about HR25?

Spending time with my colleagues – both those I already know and the new ones I will meet in Colombia. I love and cherish any opportunity I get to spend time with people who share a passion for harm reduction, and this will be the lasting memory of HR25 I am sure. I have a fascination with new cities as well so to experience a new city and to learn from the local partners in Bogotá is very exciting. 

What music do you listen to when you’re working?

The only answer this summer is the album Brat by Charli XCX. 

What is your favourite conference memory?

At the previous edition of the conference in Melbourne, I was asked to moderate a panel on harm reduction in nightlife and music festivals – with one of the panellists being a close friend who I originally met after hiring her into the position she still holds in Youth RISE. Introducing her to speak on a topic we both devote a lot of time and energy to felt like a full-circle moment for us both. 

Communications Strategist

What are you most looking forward to about HR25? 

Global South leadership! So much in harm reduction, drug policy, human rights and global health has historically been defined by people in the Global North. I can’t wait to learn from colleagues in Colombia and rest of Latin America about all their cutting-edge harm reduction programmes.  

What music do you listen to when you’re working? 

It’s almost always something that energises me and makes me want to dance; pop, afrobeats, reggaeton, Bollywood. Currently it’s Brat by Charlie XCX (on loop for the entirety of the summer). 

What’s your dream project? 

A campaign for policy change that uses art, photography, theatre, music, fashion and more to change hearts and minds.   

What’s different about this conference than other conferences you’ve been? 

It’s so diverse and international yet there is deep alignment in values and mission.  

The Harm Reduction International Conference 2025 (HR25) will be held in Bogotá, Colombia on 27-30 April 2025.

https://hr25.hri.global/