DiraSengwe Conferences is a pioneering South African non-profit organization dedicated to advancing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and driving transformative solutions in the AIDS response . Rooted in the principles of social justice and equity, the organization plays a pivotal role in convening thought leaders, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to address pressing global challenges through its expertly organized biannual National AIDS Conference.

The origins of DiraSengwe Conferences lie in the instrumental role its founding members played as members of the organizing committee of the historic 13th International AIDS Conference in 2000, held in Durban, South Africa, during the height of AIDS denialism in the country.   This groundbreaking event marked the first time the International AIDS Conference was hosted in the Global South and became a watershed moment in the fight against the AIDS epidemic. Due to the open conflict between the event scientific committee and the government this conference attracted unheard of media coverage with approximately 1200 journalists attending. The opening keynote speaker Justice Edwin Cameron delivered a short but powerful statement as that as a rich, white person living with HIV he could afford to pay $1000/month to stay alive. he invited the 12 500 delegates to contemplate the reality that every 3rd man they would encounter on the streets of Durban during the conference would probably be HIV positive and unable to afford the cost of treatment and thus be condemned to a premature death.  The conference also saw the launch of the Durban declaration a statement signed by over 5,000 physicians and scientists in 2000, affirming that HIV is the cause of AIDS, seventeen years after the discovery of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The declaration was drafted in response to HIV/AIDS denialism, and particularly to address South African president Thabo Mbeki’s support for AIDS denialists. It was written several weeks before the 2000 International AIDS Conference, was published in the journal Nature to coincide with the Durban conference.

The declaration called the evidence that HIV causes AIDS “clear-cut, exhaustive and unambiguous” Each person who signed the document was required to have a Ph.D. or M.D.-equivalent degree. To avoid the appearance of conflict of interest, scientists “working for commercial companies were asked not to sign.” The signatories included eleven Nobel prize winners.

The conference galvanized global advocacy for affordable and equitable access to antiretroviral treatment, laying the foundation for what became a global movement to address the AIDS pandemic through solidarity, science, and activism. This legacy of confronting critical health challenges with courage and innovation remains central to DiraSengwe’s mission till today. DiraSengwe was founded by the Foundation for Professional Development in 2002 when it reconvened the AIDS 2000 organizing committee to establish the 1st SA AIDS Conference given then lack of progress in establishing a national AIDS programme despite AIDS treatment having become affordable. 

At the heart of DiraSengwe’s mission is the belief that ending the AIDS pandemic is integral to sustainable development. By focusing on actionable insights, the organization ensures that its conferences serve as platforms for change, translating discussions into evidence-based policies and interventions. This commitment aligns with South Africa’s broader goals of fostering inclusivity and resilience in addressing complex health and societal issues.

DiraSengwe’s success lies in its ability to bring diverse voices to the table, blending local knowledge with global expertise. Its conferences are known for their innovative approaches to engagement, leveraging multimedia campaigns, interactive workshops, and inclusive dialogues that resonate across audiences. These initiatives not only amplify marginalized voices but also challenge traditional paradigms, creating opportunities for meaningful partnerships and systemic change. Over the years several declarations have been pivotal in solving bottle necks in the national AIDS response 

DiraSengwe Conferences stands as a beacon of hope and a catalyst for progress, embodying the ethos of “DiraSengwe”—to take action. Through its work, the organization continues to keep AIDS at the forefront of scientific research, policy innovation, showcases innovative implementation science and creates a forum for the voices of people living with AIDS to be heard. Most importantly it is a forum that allows emerging leaders in the AIDS response to be recognised and celebrated through a series of awards. In 2023 DiraSengwe introduced the prestigious DiraSengwe Lifetime Achievement Award the 1^st being awarded to Professor Hoosein (Jerry) Coovadia the Chairperson of the 13^th International AIDS Conference and one of South Africa’s leading AIDS scientist and who fearlessly opposed AIDS denialism at its hight.