AMBASADDOR’S JOURNAL: Goodwill Ambassador Sasakawa attends Bergen International Conference on Hansen’s Disease

Goodwill Ambassador Sasakawa with some of the representatives from persons affected by leprosy organizations that participated in the Bergen International Conference on Hansen’s Disease (June 21–22, 2023).
WHO Goodwill Ambassador Yohei Sasakawa being interviewed by Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation
(NRK) at the Leprosy Museum–St. Jørgen Hospital in Bergen.

WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination Yohei Sasakawa visited Norway, June 21–22, to attend the Bergen International Conference on Hansen’s Disease. The event was co-sponsored by the Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative and the University of Bergen. The Goodwill Ambassador met with Norway’s Minister of Health and Care Services, Ingvild Kjerkol, and Dr. Hansen’s great-grandson, Abbi Patrix, as well as other participants. He also enjoyed reconnecting with representatives from organizations of persons affected by leprosy, who had been selected to share posters of best practices at an exhibition. The Goodwill Ambassador was interviewed by Norway’s National Broadcasting Corporation (NRK). He also met with officials from the Bergen International Film Festival who are planning to show Hansen’s disease–related films as part of a thematic category at the festival in October.