Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition has recognized the Director of the Pan Caribbean Partnership on HIV/AIDS (PANCAP), Mr. Dereck Springer for his outstanding contribution to the HIV response with the Juanita Altenburg Award for Excellence
The award, named in memory and honour of founding CVC chair, Suriname national Juanita ALTENBERG, is presented to an individual who has made significant contribution to human rights and the HIV response in the region.
As Director of PANCAP, Mr. Springer has been instrumental in helping to build the capacity of Caribbean Civil Society Organizations while ensuring the full involvement of key affected populations and civil society in Multisectoral Response to the HIV Epidemic.
In speaking to the award, CVC’s Executive Director, Ivan Cruickshank says Dereck Springer’s contribution to the advancement of the HIV response in the Caribbean is unquestionable, which makes him a deserving recipient of such a prestigious civil society award. “Every year we at CVC try to identify and award one individual who has contributed significantly to the HIV response in the region. There was no question in my mind that Dereck deserved the Juanita Altengerb Award for Excellence this year. For years, he has been a champion in the HIV response for the region and has worked tirelessly to help ensure the voices of key affected populations is incldued in decision making we serve.”
Mr. Cruickshank went on to point out that the vision of the award is to honor the work being done by individuals in the Civil Society sector across the Caribbean.
In responding Mr. Springer said he was grateful for the award and urged stakeholders in the regional HIV response to continue working hard to improve the lives of key population groups across the region.
The 2019 Juanita Altenberg Award for Excellence was presented by Ms. Tania Campbell, daughter of Jaunita Altenberg, during the Open Reception for CVC’s Regional Civil Society Forum 2019, held in Kingston, Jamaica on August 22, 2019.