The REGENERATE Leadership & Learning Institute, a first-of-its-kind training in Asia-Pacific that focuses on cultivating a new wave of gender transformative leaders within civil society and community organizations, concluded its inaugural 6-days training on June 20, 2025, with a joyful celebration of inclusivity and pride in Pattaya, Thailand.
Organized by APCASO under the Regional Gender Justice and Sexual Rights Initiative (REGENERATE), the Institute brought together 35 civil society and community leaders from eight countries, all working at the convergence of HIV, TB, malaria, gender, and human rights. During the course of this immersive training, participants deepened their understanding of gender justice and sexual rights ( GJSR) while equipping themselves with practical policy advocacy tools to integrate GJSR approaches into health systems in their respective countries.
Orientating the Space
The Institute kicked off on June 15 with a warm welcome from Ms. RD Marte, Executive Director of APCASO, who shared that the REGENERATE Institute marked the realization of a long-held dream for APCASO. She expressed her excitement at seeing that dream come to life in the form of the diverse and committed group of participants gathered in the room, each bringing powerful experiences from the frontlines of health and rights work in the region.
Ms. Mangala Namasivayam, APCASO Programme Manager, provided an overview of the REGENERATE Initiative and why it is necessary to ensure gender- and SOGIESC inclusive health systems.
The day ended with a show-and-tell icebreaker, facilitated by Ms. Aom Maleehom, APCASO Programme Officer, where participants introduced themselves by sharing treasured objects and the personal stories behind them. The activity helped the participants to get to know each other, sparked curiosity and early connections.