Press Release
Long-time AIDS activist to step down as head of ICASO
Toronto, July, 2, 2008—The Executive Director of the International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO), Richard Burzynski, today announced that he would be stepping down as head of the organization by the end of the year.
Following the announcement, the Board of ICASO thanked Mr. Burzynski for his many years of service and dedication, not only to ICASO, but in general to civil society responding to AIDS.
Recognizing his exceptional leadership, the Board acknowledged that ICASO had become an important international agency with Mr. Burzynski at the helm, strengthening civil society’s response to AIDS.
“Today, civil society is pivotal in the policy decision-making process on AIDS, as well as AIDS funding, as a result of Richard’s steadfast dedication and advocacy,” the Chair of the Board, Ms. Jacqueline Coleman, said, noting that certainly, the role of civil society in the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria, is unprecedented.
As a co-founder of ICASO, along with other activists and advocates after the 2nd International NGO Conference on HIV and AIDS in Paris in 1991, Mr. Burzynski has led the organization since 1993.
“We have grown from an organization with one staff person, to a unique and strong organization and network that has a major impact on global advocacy for HIV and AIDS strategies,” he said.
Mr. Burzynski gave credit to the many that have fought these past two decades, to bring about progressive thinking on the AIDS response, and on behalf of key affected populations that are marginalized and remain at risk: women and girls, men who have sex with men (MSM), sex workers and people who use drugs—crucial work that will continue to be at the heart of ICASO’s work in the future.
Mr. Burzynski will step down as Executive Director of ICASO in December this year.
The Board has initiated a formal search process for a new Executive Director to guide the future ICASO.