Ending AIDS: A Global Responsibility
2025 DAVID COOPER LECTURE
Beatriz Grinsztejn | Norman Swan
With Australia on track to be among the first countries in the world to eliminate the transmission of HIV, there is a lot to be optimistic about. Yet globally the rates of transmission and AIDS-related deaths are predicted to rise, disproportionately impacting marginalised communities and people living in low and middle income countries.
Weakening US political commitment and recent funding cuts are threatening the delicate global healthcare architecture designed to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. High-income countries, like Australia, have a crucial role to play in enabling accessible research, testing, treatment, healthcare and public education with international communities.
Join renowned leading infectious disease researcher and President of the International AIDS Society, Dr Beatriz Grinsztejn, in conversation with Australia’s Dr Norman Swan. From diversifying funding sources to strengthening universal public health systems and promoting community involvement, Dr Grinsztejn and Dr Swan will discuss how to overcome the setbacks deepening the inequities between who gets care and who goes without.
This event is co-presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas, Kirby Institute and UNSW Medicine & Health.
ABOUT THE DAVID COOPER LECTURE
The David Cooper Lecture honours the legacy of the Kirby Institute’s founding director, Professor David Cooper AC, who passed away in 2018. David was an internationally renowned scientist and HIV clinician who laid the foundations for Australia’s ongoing leadership in the fight against the global HIV epidemic.
Make a donation today to support David Cooper’s incredible vision for equitable access to healthcare: unsw.to/DavidCooperMemorialFund.
ABOUT DIGITAL EVENTS
This event will be available on the UNSW Centre for Ideas website with closed captions available. A link to watch the digital event will be sent two hours prior to the event to registered attendees.
TICKETS
CONTACT
For event enquiries or to discuss your access requirements, please call the Centre for Ideas on 02 9065 0485 or email centreforideas@unsw.edu.au.
The Centre for Ideas is happy to receive phone calls via the National Relay Service. TTY users, phone 133 677, then ask for 02 9065 0485. Speak and Listen users, phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 02 9065 0485. Internet relay users, visit relayservice.gov.au, then ask for 02 9065 0485.
Beatriz Grinsztejn
Dr Beatriz Grinsztejn is a physician and scientist renowned for her leadership in infectious disease research. She specializes in HIV/AIDS and global health clinical research, with a focus on transforming HIV care and prevention through evidence-based strategies. She has published over 540 papers in peer-reviewed journals. Her work spans clinical practice, translational research, and public health policy, aiming to reduce health disparities worldwide. Throughout her career she has led major international clinical trials, contributed to the development of guidelines, and driven capacity-building initiatives in low- and middle-income countries. Dr Grinsztejn currently serves as President of the International AIDS Society.
Norman Swan
Dr Norman Swan is a physician and journalist who co-hosts the ABC's Health Report and What's That Rash. He also reports for 7.30 and has won multiple awards including the most prestigious in Australian journalism – the Gold Walkley. He has three best selling books: So You Think You Know What's Good For You, So You Want To Live Younger Longer and, the latest, So You Want to Know What's Good For Your Kids, which covers the critical years between birth and age ten. In 2023, Norman was awarded an Order of Australia in the 2023 Australia Day Honours.
