Positive Leaders Make a difference

Nicolas RITTER

Mauritius

Pozitive Environment

• Detected Poz in 1994

• Supportive environment : Parents, Friends, French nationality

• Had to leave Mauritius

• I’m Poz but I’m lucky, what if it was not the case?

• What am I going to do with the rest of my life?

Positive Leadership

• For the first 5 years disclosing to friends, colleagues but not public

• Decided to go public after Trinidad 2001 and when the Mauritian Gov decided to finally give free access to ARV

• Launched VIVRE+ : The Mauritian Network of PLWH

• Joined NAP+• Networked the PLWHA of Indian Ocean with

RAVANE+

Pozitive Training

• Dr Catherine GAUD

• RIVE

• AIDES – Arnaud MARTY-LAVAUZELLE

• Ongoing support of Friends & Family

• Ambassador of Hope (NAP+)

• The Global POZ community

• ARASA

Pozitive Achievements

• Free access to ARV• First National Prevention Campaigns• First Candlelight• HIV & AIDS Act (Dec 06) : discriminations, testing

guidelines, NEP• Methadone access for IDU • Prisoners with HIV no longer segregated• New NGOs (CUT, KISS, ARC EN CIEL)• Regional Networking of PLWHAs• Involvement of Private Sector• Civil Status Bill Amended• Pozitive Ambassadors

Pozitive Tools

• Radio & Press• Local NGO’s• Regional & International NGO’s• Forum, Workshops, Conferences• Internet• Bilingualism• Advocacy Based on Human Rights• My blue eyes?• Love, Care & Support

CONCLUSION

• Came into the fight by « accident »• Stayed by choice• Being HIV Positive is a plus for Activism• Networking is the Key• Communicating is the Tool• Honesty is the Rule• Passion is the Fuel• Every day is a bonus and my life is so….

POZITIVE!

THANK YOU!