ReShape

Formerly International HIV Partnerships (IHP)

Secretariat of the Chemsex Forum

THE TABLE PROJECT

The Table Project is a leadership training and exchange for HIV peer supporters and activists in Asia who want to feel empowered in sharing their work, and being heard in decision making spaces

Apply Here

The Table Project

The Table Project has been created to empower HIV peer supporters and activists in Asia to influence decision-making locally, nationally, and internationally

It’s called The Table Project because in 2021/22 Asian HIV Peer support training/exchanges, particiants referred repeatedly to “being at the table” with key stakeholders to ensure lasting change

JOIN THE TABLE PROJECT

During the Asian HIV Peer Support series in 2021, facilitated by ReShape, the thoughts and needs of the participants were made clear; there are barriers in the way of us accessing a seat at the “table”, so how do we do it? (The lack of linkage between systems and services was made clear.)

When we talk about the “table” we mean places where important decisions about marginalised communities are being discussed and decided. This could be parliament, meetings with government officials or policy makers, medical associations etc. Commonly places where community are left out and struggle to be heard. It’s vital that community (peer supporters, activists etc) is at the forefront of where the decisions are being made. “Nothing for us without us.”

“Tables” come in all shapes and sizes and in this project we begin by guiding you through a process, where you can define what “table” you want.

WHAT WE MEAN BY THE TABLE

GETTING A SEAT AT THE TABLE

“Focusing on what you can achieve long term not what you feel needs to be done. And so once we’re built to be in a position, where we’ve dealt with our issues, we can then much more powerfully argue for a better world from our own experience. And if we can all do that together, you know, that idea about strength in numbers, building a community where we, I didn’t want to say fight back, but I kind of do because that’s the actual terminology. I’m not a fighter. I’m a lover, not a fighter. But you know, that’s what got me here as well. So it’s, it’s about how you find that balance. But it needs to be done together. But it starts with us”

Asian HIV Peer Support Series Participant

Once you have identified the table that you want to take a seat at, it can be challenging to know how to access it. Authoritative measures play a major role in this. Participants of the Asian HIV Peer support series told us this showed up as: “Not being able to get a foot in the door”, “Struggling to find allies”, “Finding it difficult to contact/ get conversations started with Policy makers.”

This series will look at challenges within the process of getting your seat at the table. For example, being empowered and resourced, using our voices safely and effectively, dealing with shame and rejection and working within restrictive systems.

“But everyone has always come back to this idea which is, who are the people who are going to help us solve the problem? Who’s the individual police person? Who’s the government official? Who are the doctors that have really done well, as Janithe has been describing that there are doctors who are paying attention in Sri Lanka. So it’s always who are going to be at the tables and have these negotiations. That’s just a thought. But welcoming other people who want to talk informally”

Asian HIV Peer Support Series Participant

Potential people and bodies that may sit at your desired table include policy makers, medical authorities, government, police, law makers, funders, ministries of health. They all have one thing in common – they see the issues faced through a different lens and don’t necessarily see the issues faced first hand.

We need people who understand us and can lobby on our behalf. We need to see community representation, healthcare providers and peer supporters. The more you work on getting allies to the table, the more mindsets you can change and the higher the level policy makers you can reach.

WHO MIGHT BE AT YOUR DESIRED TABLE

BEING HEARD AT THE TABLE

“Because society won’t change without us educating each other. So we educate ourselves, we support ourselves and each other, and we grow and learn, and for some of those of us who then feel confident, can take that next step… We can also then have those conversations with our healthcare providers, with our teachers where we go to college, or school or wherever it may be, we can make a change in the world. And it’s not about us having to think that we’ve got to change everyone in the world. But having that little drop that we make, and the ripple effect, that our being open about our status, and and having the people around us understand is really important.”

Asian HIV Peer Support Series Participant

Through mutual learning with Asian Peer Supporters case studies of experienced activists throughout regions in Asia, we will explore ideas of making change from the margins, connecting with a diverse and respectful community and cultivating abilities to care for ourselves and others when you may feel discriminated and stigmatised against. We will address difficulties in making contact and creating dialogue with policy makers. The Table Project will also explore the important topic of safety. It will address concerns surrounding the fears of speaking to services and feeling that you are putting yourself at risk. That goes with speaking to local authorities as well. We have heard from the Asian Peer Support Series that there is a need for communication training to improve our skills and be able to make yourself heard with authorities at the “table”.

The Table Project is a leadership training and exchange for HIV peer supporters and activists who want to feel empowered in sharing their work, public speaking and feeling heard in decision making spaces.

“We are unsure if you’re talking to medical providers, you know, will actually lead to some kind of consensus or some kind of compromise. But this is the issue that we are facing and if we can learn from the experience of other countries around the region or internationally, we’d be very grateful for it.”

Asian HIV Peer Support Series Participant

APPLY HERE

“So looking forward very much to hearing the inputs and perspectives from across the region because Asia is so complex and varied, it’ll be wonderful to see the similarities and the differences and the potential for sharing strategies across our different communities”