The Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative recently supported representatives of organizations of persons affected by leprosy from Nepal, Indonesia, and Bangladesh as well as representatives of their local NGO partners to speak at the 13th ISTR Asia-Pacific Regional Conference held on the University of the Philippines campus in Cebu. ISTR (International Society for Third Sector Research) promotes academic exchange and knowledge generation about the “third sector” – including philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, volunteering, and social movements – to inform and support civil society around the globe.
The team spoke on Apr. 23, 2025, at a roundtable that explored organizations of persons affected by leprosy as examples of social and solidarity economy (SSE) organizations that can contribute to sustainable, rights-based development. Representatives from Nepal and Indonesia joined in person; those from Bangladesh joined remotely.
Participation in the conference established connections with the ISTR secretariat and local members of the ISTR Asia Pacific Regional Network. These connections are expected to be valuable for ongoing dissemination of information about the situations of persons affected by leprosy within academia and the third sector.
The next day, on Apr. 24, the group visited the Eversley Childs Sanitarium and General Hospital. The facility has an inpatient care ward for leprosy patients experiencing reactions or complications as well as a residential area, where 35–40 persons affected by leprosy who have been cured of the disease live in cottages. During the visit, hospital officials explained the country’s medical system and the situation of support for persons affected by leprosy.
Attending the conference and visiting the hospital gave the representatives knowledge and connections that they can put to use for their respective organizations and countries. The opportunity to spend time together in person also contributed to promoting international exchange among organizations of persons affected by leprosy.
