APCOM works to improve the health and rights of gay men, other men who have sex with men, and SOGIESC people across Asia and the Pacific.
Welcome to APCOM Foundation:
มูลนิธิแอ็พคอม ยินดีต้อนรับ
Based in Bangkok, APCOM is a not-for-profit organisation representing and working with a network of individuals and community-based organisations across 35 countries in Asia and the Pacific.
APCOM has a primary focus on HIV because it is a key health issue for gay men and other men who have sex with men in the region. APCOM also addresses other related health issues for our communities such as sexual health, mental health and drug use.
APCOM also focuses on improving relevant human and legal rights across the region as discrimination, stigma, criminalisation and exclusion impact on the health outcomes of the communities we serve.
Designed to guide APCOM’s work through 2020, the framework is multifaceted and anchored around three themes:
J.V.R. Prasada Rao
HIV/AIDS Ambassador
Prasada Rao is from India, he hails from a family of poets and scholars in Andhra Pradesh, India, and has a distinguished academic career with post-graduation in Nuclear Physics from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam. He was a former Permanent Secretary of Health in Government of India.
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Mr Rao was the Director of India’s National AIDS Control Organization for five years before serving as India’s Permanent Secretary for Health and Family Welfare. There, he played an instrumental role in implementing a comprehensive and decentralized national AIDS control programme. He then worked in UNAIDS as the Regional Director for Asia Pacific from 2004 to 2009 and was later appointed as the Special Envoy of UN Secretary General, a position he held until July 2017. He also worked as a Special Advisor to UNAIDS on fast tracking the regional response to AIDS in Asia Pacific. He has also served as Member Secretary of two independent commissions on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific and is currently a Commissioner of the Global Commission on HIV and the Law.
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During his work, Mr Rao consistently advocated for the empowerment of vulnerable communities and people living with HIV as an essential element to achieving an effective AIDS response in Asia and the Pacific.
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Mr Rao launched his book ‘Celebrating Small Victories’ just in time for World AIDS Day 2020.
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HIV/AIDS Ambassador
The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG
LGBTQI Human Rights Ambassador
When he retired from the High Court of Australia on 2 February 2009, Michael Kirby was Australia’s longest serving judge.
He was first appointed in 1975 as a Deputy President of the Australian Conciliation & Arbitration Commission. Soon after, he became inaugural Chairman of the Australian Law Reform Commission (1975-84). Later, he was appointed a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia, then President of the New South Wales Court of Appeal (1984-96) and, concurrently, President of the Court of Appeal of Solomon Islands (1995-6). His appointment to the High Court of Australia followed in 1996 and he served thirteen years. In later years, he was Acting Chief Justice of Australia twice.
In addition to his judicial duties, Michael Kirby has served on three university governing bodies, being elected Chancellor of Macquarie University in Sydney (1984-93). He also served on many national and international bodies. Amongst the latter have been service as a member of the World Health Organisation’s Global Commission on AIDS (1988-92); as President of the International Commission of Jurists, Geneva (1995-8); as UN Special Representative for Human Rights in Cambodia (1993-6); as a member of the UNESCO International Bioethics Committee (1995-2005); as a member of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ Judicial Reference Group (2007- 9) and as a member of the UNAIDS Reference Group on HIV and Human Rights(2004-).
Following his judicial retirement, Michael Kirby was elected President of the Institute of Arbitrators & Mediators Australia from 2009-2010. He served as a Board Member of the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (2009-14). He has been appointed Honorary Visiting Professor by twelve universities. And he participates regularly in many local and international conferences and meetings. He has been awarded a number of honorary doctorates at home and abroad. He also serves as Editor-in-Chief of The Laws of Australia (2009 – ).
He served 2011-12 as a member of the Eminent Persons Group on the future of the Commonwealth of Nations. He was a Commissioner of the UNDP Global Commission of HIV and the Law 2011-2012. He was appointed to the Advisory Council of Transparency International, based in Berlin in 2012. In 2013- 2014, he was appointed Chair of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights Violations in North Korea. He a Commissioner of the UNAIDS Lancet Commission on AIDS to the Right to Health (2013-2014); the Global Fund’s Equitable Access Panel (2015-16); the UN Secretary-General’s High Level Panel on Access to Essential Medicines (2015-16); and UNAIDS/OHCHR’s panel on overreach of criminal law (2017); and Co-Chair of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (2018 – ).
He was awarded the Gruber Justice Prize in 2010 and has been Patron of the Kirby Institute on Blood Borne Diseases in UNSW Sydney, Australia since 2011. In May 2017, he was invested by Japan with the insignia of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star in Tokyo, with an audience with the Emperor of Japan.
LGBTQI Human Rights Ambassador
Professor Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamazulzaman
Research Ambassador
Dr Kamarulzaman is the current IAS president.
A graduate of Monash University and trained in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases in Melbourne Australia, Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman established the Infectious Diseases Unit at the University of Malaya Medical Centre. She is currently Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya and is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Yale University, USA.
In addition to her clinical and academic commitments, she has been actively involved in the community response to HIV/AIDS in Malaysia. As convenor of the Malaysian Harm Reduction Working Group of the Malaysian AIDS Council, she led the advocacy for the implementation of harm reduction measures to tackle the problem of HIV amongst injecting drug users in Malaysia. She was President of the Malaysian AIDS Council from 2006 to 2010 and continues to serve as an Executive Committee member since stepping down as President. In this capacity, she has been involved in advocating for and overseeing the implementation of community-based HIV/AIDS programmes across the country. She remains as the Chairman of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation, a Trust whose role is to raise funds for HIV prevention, treatment and care programmes implemented by the Malaysian AIDS Council.
In 2008, she established the Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA) at the University of Malaya. Research activities undertaken at CERiA include clinical and basic science studies, epidemiological as well as socio-behavioural research focusing on the marginalised communities in Malaysia, particularly people who use drugs, prisoners, and men who have sex with men.
Dr Kamarulzaman has been a committee member of several regional and international organizations including TREAT Asia, the International Society of Infectious Diseases, and WAS a Co-Chair of the WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on HIV. She was the Scientific Co-Chair of the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna in 2010 and in 2013 was the local host for the 7th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention in Kuala Lumpur. In April 2015 she was honoured with an Honorary Doctor of Laws from her alma mater, Monash University, for her outstanding achievements in medicine.
Research Ambassador
Michael Bäk
Private Sector Ambassador
Michael joined Facebook as Head of Public Policy, Thailand, in February 2018 where he leads all external engagement with government, civil society, the small business community and academia while also supporting the APAC Public Policy team on human rights and inclusion issues. He also is a global lead for PRIDE@, Facebook’s LGBTQ+ employee resource group.
He has lived more than 23 years in Asia including in Japan, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Thailand. Prior to Facebook, he had a long career as both a UN and US diplomat, serving as Senior Strategic Advisor to the chief United Nations official in Thailand and some 13 years with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Indonesia, Thailand and regionally within Southeast Asia. In these roles he engaged governments, civil society, academia and the international community on policy issues around human rights, peacebuilding, governance and inclusion.
He served on the founding board of directors for B-Change Insights, formerly a New York-based non-profit (part of the B-Change Social Enterprise Group with hubs in Singapore and Manila) that uses technology to support the health, happiness and human rights of gender and sexual minorities in the global south. While at USAID he was deeply involved in the MTV Exit campaign (to fight human trafficking) and before moving on from the agency he designed and launched the “Being LGBTI in Asia” programme, the flagship LGBTI human rights initiative in Asia by the US and Swedish Governments and the United Nations. He led both the US Government’s initial response to the Aceh Tsunami in 2004-2005, and US support to the Indonesian government and Free Aceh Movement’s historic peace agreement in 2005.
He received his BA from Kalamazoo College (Michigan, USA) in French Literature, Japanese and International Studies; an MA from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (Washington, DC) in Southeast Asia Studies and Economics; and is contemplating his kickstarting his PhD on radical development, focused on emotional capital gender and sexual minorities bring to social progress. He speaks English, French, Bahasa Indonesia and varying proficiencies in Japanese, Melayu, Spanish and Thai.
Private Sector Ambassador
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
Pacific Ambassador
Brigadier-General Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, (often referred to as Na Turaga Mai Naisogolaca) is a Fijian chief who was President of Fiji from 2009 to 2015.
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He has had a long career in the Military, diplomatic service, and government. Ratu Epeli is widely respected in the Pacific through his lifelong service to Fiji and the region. He is dedicated to advocating on the potential impact that HIV could have on small island states and has spoken out on sensitive HIV-related issues including condom use.
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On 11 February 2019, he became the newly appointed Speaker of the Fijian Parliament. Ratu Epeli is also UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for the Pacific, building on his experience and years of commitment to mobilize political support for the UNAIDS Fast-Track approach across the region, and help to ensure that the human rights of people living with HIV and key populations at higher risk of HIV are protected and respected, and that young people, women and girls and people living with and affected by HIV are meaningfully engaged in the HIV response.
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In 1999 Ratu Epeli held the post of Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Trade in Fiji and in 2000 was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Fijian Affairs. He was Speaker in the Fijian House of Representatives from 2001-2006.
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Patron to a number of social and community causes in Fiji, Ratu Epeli has previously been a UNICEF Pacific advocate on children’s and young people’s issues, and has championed a number of other causes with significant connection to HIV. He was also Chair of the Pacific Parliamentary Assembly on Population and Development, and in October 2004 he hosted and chaired the First Conference of Pacific Parliamentarians on ‘The Role of Pacific Parliamentarians in the Fight against HIV/AIDS’ held in Suva.
Pacific Ambassador
Okkar Min Maung
Community Ambassador
Okkar’s real name is Ye Htoo Khaing Win, born in Yangon, Myanmar Sept 18, 1985.
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He is the eldest of the three siblings, and graduated with an English major from Dagon University. He started acting career in Myanmar at the age of 18. he has acted in over 40 films, TV shows, as well as modeling for numerous projects such as magazines, calendars, billboards, posters, fashion shows, and commercials. After 5 years in the film industry, he gave up his career and decided to continue studying in a foreign university.
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In August 2009, he studied in New York at State University of New York (Delhi). He was studying for a hospitality management major for a year, and then transferred to Berkeley college in New York city to continue his studies in a Business administration management major. In 2012, I graduated with an Associates degree from Berkeley college. In 2016, I decided to go back to the film industry in Myanmar and resumed an acting career with the movie “The Gemini” directed by Nyo Min Lwin, which has been screened in New York, Los Angeles and Yangon in 2016. He released his debut album “18” in November 2016.
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Okkar competed in one of the male pageants, Mister Tourism World representing Myanmar in 2016 and won the grand prize. During his reign, I traveled to the UK, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and Canada to fulfill my duties.
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During 2017, he acted in 3 more feature films in Myanmar theaters in 2019. Okkar and another co-ordinator organized the first ever international pageant in Myanmar and gained big success and made history in Myanmar and also promoted Myanmar as a tourist destination. In July 2018, he officially came out as gay. Currently, he is taking a break from the film industry.
Community Ambassador
As a community of changemakers, people are a critical ingredient of our success. We are fortunate to have skilled board members, regional advisors and staff to help us advance our mission.
OUR TEAM
The APCOM Secretariat is made up of 16 diverse, highly skilled and compassionate individuals.
All our staff identify as being part of the community and as one of the key affected populations including youth and people living with HIV.
The staffs are accompanied by eight members of Regional Advisory Group (RAG) who are experts of various key topics of health and rights advocacy and practice, representing each subregion of Asia and the Pacific.
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My name is Midnight, the Executive Director of APCOM and I have been working here since 2010. In my capacity, I try to find solutions and allow team members to take a leadership role within their work. I am most proud of the time I spoke at the UN General Assembly for the 2016 United Nations Political Declaration on Ending AIDS. APCOM is a fantastic place to work because of the multi-cultural office setting, and working at the regional gives you a good overview of challenges that our community face on issues of human rights of LGBTI, and also access to services. I enjoy getting massages, traveling, and my favourite ice cream is rum & raisin.
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My name is Wattana or you can call me by my nickname “A”. My working background is related to HIV, especially for MSM groups. I started my first career in 2009 as a project coordinator at the Poz Home Center. My job was nothing but providing the access and knowledge of HIV between communities, hospitals and public health centers. Furthermore, I also handled the personal and group discussion for people who live with HIV online and offline. In 2013, I shifted to work at APCOM as the coordinator between APCOM and the local LGBTQIA+ partners in Thailand to promote APCOM campaigns of blood testing and medical access (PrEP) focusing on MSM groups currently through TestBKK campaign. From the very early time until now I have been handling the online community of people who live with HIV in Thailand for 10 years already. As my ability expands, I become one of the board members at APCOM Foundation today.
In my views, the equality of common things such as the healthcare system for everyone (including LGBTQIA+ people) should be applied. Everyone in the country should be able to get the proper access to healthcare for their normal quality of life, for less stigmas in the society by gender discriminations. When I have free time, I enjoy planting trees and give some of them to friends who also love planting trees as well. Besides, I like cooking. Every time I cook, I always prepare food not for only me but also friends and neighbors. Seeing them enjoying the food I cook is my pleasure.
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Selvan, originally from India, joined APCOM family in 2015. He has been working with LGBT communities for almost 8 years, and has passion to continuing working with/for LGBT communities. He brings a wealth of experience in Monitoring and Evaluation of HIV service delivery programme. Funded under Government and Global Fund.
Selvan holds Bachelor degree in Commerce from Mumbai University and Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource from Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research, Mumbai. Outside the working hours, he loves to discover and cook Indian dishes.
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Hey! It's Vaness here. This is a little of my background.
I hold a bachelor degree in Fine Arts -Theatre (Acting - Directing) and been in the theatre community in Bangkok for a while then I discovered my passion for working in Non-Profit Organisation when I became an event organiser for Youth Voices Count (YVC), a youth initiative led by young LGBTIQ in Asia and Pacific in 2010 and also organised many meetings/side events later on. And also I am well known for designing and creating artworks and publications for the organisation.
By the way, I think I am the quietest person in the organisation and I am a great secret keeper because I immediately forget right after you turn away!
Don't be surprised if I don't pick up your call. The most enjoyable in my life is being away from mobile phone.
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Nattapat or Nok has been in the field of development since 2007 when she started her graduate studies in Gender and Development at Asian Institute of Technology. Her past professional experiences cover the topics of gender and health social determinants of health and well-being, gender-based violence, bioethics in research on marginalized and underserved groups and infrastructure development. Nattapat used to work with some community-based organizations both as a development practitioner and a social researcher. She is particularly interested in communities of migrants, refugees, crossborders, people living with conflicts and, of course, people with diverse gender identities. Before joining APCOM, Nattapat worked with Partnerships for Infrastructure, the DFAT-funded initiative as Gender Equality and`Social Inclusion (GESI) Officer for about a year. Her role was to integrate social dimension into infrastructure development activities and to raise awareness about GESI among infrastructure development stakeholders in the Southeast Asia region.
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My name is Chatsuda Hanbang, you can call me Jam. Currently, I am working in the operation unit and a member of the event working group for APCOM Foundation. My extensive experience is related to the event organizing, logistics, administration, and project co-ordination. That’s why I also responsible to organize the monthly mental health activity, which is a special event to help relaxing the staff from working hard the whole month while improving relationship in the organization and the staff’s mental health at the same time. Apart from working full-time, I am also studying for my second Bachelor’s degree in accounting in order to improve my finance and accounting skills at work.
I am a cat person. I’ve got an aggressive but lovely one at my place too. She seems to be my beloved daughter. In my free time, my partner and I will go camping in other provinces near Bangkok. However, I mostly enjoy staying home reading some books, making handicrafts like mask straps, resin crafts, sewing clothes, and other accessories etc. Furthermore, I enjoy listening to the true crime stories and global histories on YouTube. Besides, I am addicted to craft beer because I feel it tastes better than other kinds and I also want to support small home brewery business than the big ones in Thailand. Importantly, I love eating so much. My favorites ones are papaya salad (Somtum), Mexican food, and Japanese food. Finally, “Nothing lasts forever” is the motto that I always remind myself every day so I understand how the world goes around.
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I’m Tanet Vongvisitsin (Shan). I’m 41 years old. I work for APCOM Foundation as Accounting and Administrative Officer.
I’m addicted to playing video games and watching horror movies. My favorite food is Japanese food. Passing through happiness and sadness, I think that giving is the most important thing in my life. This means that it is not good to be only a receiver, a person should know how to be a giver too. I remembered when I was down to the lowest point of my life. Although I needed someone to take side and support me at that time, there was none. At the end, I could go through this situation by giving love and strength to myself. Since then, I have been trying to improve myself in every aspect that I will not go back to reach that point again. And today when I have enough of things and strength, I will also give them to support others. I believe that this support makes the world a better place for everyone. That’s why I am happy to work here for the non-profit organization, where people are giving help to people every day.
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INAD QUINONES RENDON is a gay man, a person living with HIV, a lawyer, an artist, a baker, a cyclist, a writer, a storyteller, hopelessly romantic, and a part-time lover. Hailing from the Philippines and residing in Thailand, he is working with APCOM as Organisational Sustainability and Strengthening Consultant. He strengthens the organization's regional and global advocacy, key population, and community engagements and programs. These programs include creating legal environments, technical assistance to key population networks, capacity building, community monitoring, and country program review, among others.
In 2020, he developed APCOM's Community Guide to Implement Community-Based Monitoring for the Global Fund-supported multi-country program called Sustainability of HIV services for key populations in Asia (SKPA). On the same year, he led the creation of #coronaAPCOMpassion, an emergency funding mechanism to address the key populations' immediate needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, he initiated a regional initiative in contextualizing the messages of U=U in Asian countries. In 2021 and 2022, he spearheaded the community engagements in the processes within PEPFAR's Country Operational Plans/Regional Operational Plans (COP/ROP). These initiatives were called #KeyPopAsiaCOP21 and #KeyPopAsiaCOP22. He produced Get. PrEP. Done. : PrEP Demand Generation Toolkit., a resource guide community organizations looking to generate demand for PrEP among their communities, with technical support from World Health Organization (WHO) and The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). He is also currently working with UNAIDS Regional Support Team Asia-Pacific under a consultancy role. As Community Expert, he is part of the team in mapping the existing community-led mechanisms at the country level and providing recommendations for more meaningful community leadership in CLM programs.
He is a member of U=U Global Community Board. The UGCB will work closely with the Prevention Access Campaign to integrate U=U into national and global HIV/AIDS responses to greatly improve the lives of people living with HIV.
He sits on MPact Global Action's Board of Directors. MPact advocates for equitable access to effective HIV prevention, care, treatment, and support services for gay men and bisexual men, including those living with HIV, while promoting their health and human rights worldwide.
For Inad, there is a gap in the HIV movement and programming. He believes that we need to go beyond the awareness and knowledge and start cultivating empathy. Although theoretical knowledge in HIV is very crucial and important, HIV programs should also foster emotional understanding and achieve a certain level of empathy.
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Nicky’s area of work with APCOM is mainly on HIV online interventions, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and sexualized drug use or chemsex; and with his current position as Knowledge Management and Learning, he is managing a platform aimed at providing information to communities to facilitate cross-learning and sharing with community-generated data and research. His experience with the organization included a role as technical assistance provider for demand generation initiatives in Lao PDR, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines and most recent addition to his portfolio is co-writing PrEP Demand Generation Toolkit, which has been translated into 14 languages from 9 countries. Hailing from Indonesia, Nicky previously worked at GWL-INA, a national network for MSM and transgender women which comprises more than 80 community-based organizations and support groups across the archipelago. During his tenure, he was leading 6 online digital campaigns, most notably testJKT and Gue Berani where the former is a city-based campaign for Indonesia’s capital Jakarta and the latter is a nationwide campaign implemented in more than 25 cities across the country. An avid fan of performing arts and occasional vocalist, during his spare time he really loves sipping wine while getting carried away to the melody of jazz, opera and classical music, although once in a while also grooving his way to the beat of electronic dance music (EDM) for fun.
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My name is Kanokporn Srivanapirom and you can simply call me “Kook”. I’m joining APCOM family as a Senior Finance Office. My educational background is MBA (Finance) from Cleveland State University, Ohio. I believe in Honesty, Accountability, Respect and Teamwork as core personal/professional values.
In my professional world, I have been wandering in commercial business for more than 20 years. Apart from seeking work-life balance, I always have a dream to work in a Non-Profit Organization, the workplace where I can utilize my expertise and help communities in one goal. My dream finally comes true here at APCOM!
In my personal world, I call myself a family-attached person, a neat nerd, a museum lover, a live northern folk music lover and also another introvert human being.
Love & Peace
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My name is Naphat Krutthai (Jim). My journey to the wider world of gender diversity has begun since 2008 when I went through the process of physical transformation as my heart’s calling. Later, I have discovered that LGBTQI+ in Thailand have limited rights whether in terms of work, access to welfare, state public health, or even the basic right to create their families. Therefore, I started to learn and devote myself to supporting the LGBTQI+ community through working with independent organizations in Thailand, such as SAGA Thailand, TEAK and via my page “Jim Journey”. What I do is helping them to understand and access the rights they deserve.
Recently, I have just completed my Master's degree in in Population, Sexual and Reproductive Health (International Program), at the Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University. This program made me understand the need for participation from all sectors to improve the quality of life and the rights of people with gender diversity, while improving my research and communication skills.
I am currently joining the APCOM Foundation as a SOGIESC Right Assistant involving in the (IM)PART project sponsored by VOICE Global. This is another good opportunity for me to understand the perspectives and the need for gender diversity inclusion in all sectors, especially in the business sector. The project’s aim, which is also my personal objective, is to lift LGBTQI+ restriction by differences in gender identity, sexual orientation, or gender expression in the workplaces.
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Please call me Arm, but feel free to call me Antony.
Chulalongkorn University, Department of Arts, is where I earned my degree. For as long as I can remember, I've been preoccupied with things regarding to children and the educational system. Not until I joined this orgainzation that I realized that my true passion lay not in teaching, but in raising public awareness about vital issues like health and human rights; as a member of the MSM, this is the one cause I feel most passionate about.
When it comes to my private life, I'm all about the juicy stuff, from the playful to the dark and seductive. I adore felines and often feel like the "cat" myself but have you ever heard cat roars? Meowwwww
It's great to meet you.
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My name is Suriya Phongphunngam, or you can call me by my nickname “Bobo”.
I am energetic, talkative, and friendly. I am passionate about Food, Travel, Music, and Movie. Regarding my educational background, I graduated my Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Chulalongkorn University (Bangkok, Thailand): majoring in German and minoring in Communication Arts, while my Master’s degree is Strategic Communication from International University of Languages and Media (IULM), (Milan, Italy). My working experiences for almost a decade cover Marketing, Procurement, and Communication. In 2020, I had a first-hand opportunity to work in NGO sector as a Communication Officer for ActionAid Thailand under the EU COVID-19 Response and Recovery Project in Thailand. This project allowed me to explore how a project implemented to increase the participation of Thai civil society organizations (CSOs) working with the most vulnerable communities in Thailand in preventing, addressing, and mitigating risks and vulnerabilities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the project communication officer, I was responsible for communication management online and offline among key stakeholders and target audiences to ensure impact, relevance, effectiveness, sustainability, and visibility of the project and European Union as the donor. Throughout the project, I collected stories of change from the project’s final beneficiaries and communicate to the public. This urged people to understand how they were affected by the pandemic and how they were supported by the project to respond and recover from that situation which could inspire others, and people could also hear their voices or requests for any further assistance. Therefore, I believe that communication is a driving energy that potentially induces a positive change to the society. This personal belief also becomes one of my professional goals to work in the development field now and in the future.
Joining APCOM Foundation recently is another challenging journey to expand my ability in LGBTQIA+ rights, in which I am interested and I also advocate. Everyone including LGBTQIA+ has the right to life, liberty and security of person. Although it will not fully happen in reality soon, it can be started by at least respecting ourself and not disregarding others. Join us and support LGBTQIA+ rights together!
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Abhina Aher, transgender activist from India working in human rights & health sector for more than two decades in various capacities across the world. She is currently working as 'technical expert - key population' with PATH (www.path.org) since October 2022. She is 'Champion' recognized by CDC PEPFAR on TB response and a GFAN (Global Fund Advocacy Network) advocate of The Global Fund & member of India Working Group (IWG) working on health advocacy. She started first trans led dancing group for LGBTI advocacy in India 18 years before called 'DancingQueens' and established first collaborative organization between transmen and transwomen called 'Transgender Welfare Equity and Empowerment Trust' (TWEET Foundation). She is former chair of Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN) and currently serving as a board member of International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and a Global Network of Transwomen & HIV.
OUR GOVERNANCE
In 2014 and 2015, APCOM embarked on a process to change its governance structure entirely from a previous system based on sub-regional representation to a system in which its board members are appointed on a skills and merit basis, after an open call for applications and a nomination and endorsement process. The governance structure is established in a way to do justice to the regional character of the coalition, while on the other hand fulfilling the requirements of the Thailand’s national legislation on non-profit organisations. APCOM’s governance structure has two levels: the main governance body so-called APCOM’s Regional Advisory Group (RAG) and a supervisory body APCOM’s Thai Foundation board. From within the RAG, an Executive Committee (Exco) is chosen for the day-to-day governance issues and guidance to APCOM’s Executive Management.
Registration in Thailand:
APCOM’s Thai Foundation Board
Having the Secretariat office in Bangkok, APCOM is registered as a non-profit organisation under Thai law. To be officially registered under Thai jurisdiction, APCOM has to be accompanied by a Thai foundation board. The Thailand Ministry of the Interior has prescribed the rules and regulations for setting up of foundations through the legislation of The Ministerial Regulations of Regulations, Operation and Registration of the Foundation B.E. 2545 (2002). APCOM’s Thai Foundation Board consist of four members. It is the Thai Foundation Board which signs-off and presents the APCOM reports and financial accounts to the relevant ministries and holds responsibility for APCOM’s ongoing registered status.
APCOM was registered in Bangkok as a Thai Foundation on 21 April 2014 and has as registration number Gor Thor 2428 (กท ๒๔๒๘). The Thai Foundation Board can be seen as a supervisory body that guards and oversees if APCOM operates within the parameters of the Thai legislation concerning non-profit organisations, charities and foundations. The Thai Foundation Board advises the RAG and Executive Committee (Exco) on any changes in the Thai legal environment that have an influence on APCOM’s registration. The Thai Foundation board also advises the RAG and Exco on any issues concerning the registration of the audits and reports, if needed.
The Thai board of the APCOM Foundation is always represented in the Regional Advisory Group and Exco with one member to maintain a strong and on-going link between APCOM’s two governance bodies.
APCOM’s Thai Foundation Board members serve on a voluntary basis and do not receive any remuneration for the work.
The current members of APCOM’s Thai Foundation Board are:
Surasak Chalermsri
Surasak Chalermsri
Work experiences
I am currently working as Manager – HRBP ZP Therapeutics since Apr 2020. I firstly joined Zuellig Pharma Limited in Sep 2018 as Manager – Compensation & Benefits and acting as HRBP – Operations and Office Administration Manager. Currently Zuellig has over 1,700 employees within Thailand organization.
I worked as a Head of Finance Department for Car Dealership in Thailand, called “Wearnes Group Thailand” with twenty-five subordinates.
I worked in Thailand as Finance Manager for a Pooling Supply Chain Solution, called CHEP (Thailand) Limited, reporting directly to CFO in Australia. It is a subsidiary of Brambles which is listed on ASX in Australia.
I worked in Singapore as a Senior Accountant for a software company, called CA (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., reporting directly to the Country Controller (Based in Hong Kong).
I worked in the UK for almost 2 years. The latest job was working as Trainee Accountant for a public practice firm in Woking, United Kingdom.
Before moving to the UK. I worked as an Accountant for Computer Associates International (Thailand) Co., Ltd. reporting directly to the Financial Controller in Singapore (It is a subsidiary of US company called CA, Inc. which is listed on NYSE) before deciding to gain some working experience in the UK.
I am currently studying a Master Degree at CMMU – Mahidol, major in Business Management and I will graduate in Sep 2021. I have two Bachelor Degrees; One is a B.Sc. in Accountancy and the other a B.Sc. in Applied Physics.
I have over 19 years of working experience in Financial & Accounting with considerable exposure working with foreigners and MNC Company.
Work experience in LGBTQIA+
I have no working background in LGBTIQ but I am proud being one and part of LGBTIQIA+ group. Being a chairman of APCOM since 2019, it is giving me more understanding of how to be a small part to drive LGBTIQ to society to accept and understand more about us.
My view of LGBTIQ is equally to heterosexual, LGBTIQ is equally to have basic human rights treatment and easily access to get treated to any diseases no only HIV/ AIDS.
HIV/AIDS patients should be accepted and treated equally no matter who you are or where you come from.
As I am someone who has no experience in NGOs working environment. I am proud to be able to contribute some of my knowledge and working strength from the corporation to APCOM.
Opinions on equality, LGBTQIA+ and HIV health issues
N/A
Opinions on becoming a board member APCOM Foundation.
N/A
Leisure activities/personal preferences
Learning from others locally and internally through travelling is my passion.
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Somchai Phromsombut
Somchai Phromsombut
Work experiences
1997-2002
Worked at Wednesday Friends Club, position of Assistant Manager, coordinating work on HIV AIDS in Thailand. My duty is to adjust the attitude, give knowledge and understanding in the network of people who work on AIDS issues. I also attended the World AIDS Conferences in many countries.
2002-2005
Worked at the Thailand Business Coalition on AIDS (TBCA) as Marketing Manager for career promotion. Also, developing, and empowering people living with HIV.
2005-2012
Established the independent HIV cohabitation group (Not under an organization or hospital unit) to help enhancing knowledge and understanding among those living with the infection who cannot access the service system during office hours, including those who are at risk or affected by HIV/AIDS working part-time (working at night and in shifts). I had the great opportunity to receive Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali, who came to visit the organization. As a result, the organization has become more acceptable from the community during that period.
2012-Present
Registered an organization as a legal entity named “The POZ Home Center Foundation” and take the position as the Director of the Foundation.
Work experience in LGBTQIA+
80 percent of office-based staff, field staff, the volunteers, including my personal staff are in the LGBTQI+ community who are living with HIV. Therefore, from 2012 to the present, I have had the opportunity to work on this issue which is considered a vulnerable population who are living with HIV/AIDS as they were treated in the limited area in terms of life, economy, income, tortious interference, attitudes of violence. Shunning and stigmatization are still being reproduced. As a result, reducing stigma is extremely difficult. The Foundation is involved in the policy advocacy process, to continuously promote rights and liberties of this population. And we will continue doing this work.
Opinions on equality, LGBTQI+ and HIV health issues
From my point of view, the equality and access system for health care for the target people nowadays is much better than in the past. That means the policy has improved to some extent. But in practice, it is not as good as it should be or in accordance with the policy that asks for cooperation only. It is not a law that can be held against those who do not respond to the policy. Furthermore, the important thing is most of the victims were embarrassed and they did not dare to complain and claim their rights. Moreover, they don’t know, don’t understand their own rights. So, these jobs are still a big problem for people who are working on this issue. We must fight for equality and equality in a democratic way.
Opinions on becoming a board member APCOM Foundation.
I have known the APCOM Foundation for over 10 years, not as a committee member, we’re friends. I’ve seen many visible works from APCOM as their works are the same with our works at the POZ, collaborating between Prevention and Care & Support issues. In addition, respectfulness among workers in every level from management to staff are excellent. As a result, there is a continually better relationship. Obviously, working on social work; starting from the organization’s core value of identity thus resulting in true and equal success to the outside people. Personally, I would like to thank the APCOM Foundation for inviting me to be part of the organization. And I will do my role as best as possible.
Leisure activities/personal preferences
I have to say that is quite difficult for me. As I have a lot of responsibilities to do. Unless I force myself to be free and energize myself to work, I’d prefer to go on vacation; mostly in nature, such as waterfalls, mountains, beaches, or pitching a tent. Stay with myself, embrace myself as much as I can.
Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors
Paijittra Katanyuta
Paijittra Katanyuta
Work experiences
May 2005 to January 2006
Organization: Thailand Tatler Magazine
Position: Senior Advertising Executive
February 2006 to January 2009
Organization: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Thailand
Position: Communications Officer
February 2009 to November 2009
Organization: PATH (Thailand)
Position: IEC Officer
November 2009 to February 2011
Organization: Population Services International – PSI (Thailand) Foundation
Position: Communication and Training Coordinator
May 2011 to March 2013
Organization: Foundation for Consumers (Thailand) / Self-Employment (Freelancer)
Position: Personal Assistant
January 2013 to May 2014
Organization: International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC)
Position: Policy Support Officer
May 2014 to January 2018
Organization: CHEP (Thailand) Limited Position: Office Management Manager & Marketing Coordinator (Currently also acting PA to Country Director)
February 2019 to April 2019
Organization: APCOM Foundation
Position: Operations Manager (Management Level)
May 2019 to May 2021
Organization: Zuellig Pharma Ltd.
Position: Employee Engagement & Communication Manager
Work experience in LGBTQIA+
I had my experiences working for LGBTIQ+ when I was working for INGOs. My works at the time were focused on issues of human rights in health therefore, they did cover all populations including LGBTIQ+. For example, I did work in HIV projects for MSF-B (Thailand) in various populations; migrant workers, prisoners, PHAs and MSM and LGBTIQ+ were members of these groups. In addition, when I was working for PSI Foundation Thailand for IDU Project and LGBTIQ+ were in the group as well.
Opinions on equality, LGBTQI+ and HIV health issues
I always see no difference between people in terms of human equality. A Right to access for health prevention and treatment is one thing I always fight for, for all humans to receive the same standard prevention and treatment regardless of their races, religions, beliefs, nationalities, ages and genders. We all get ill and we could have the same pain from the sickness and we must have the same treatment as a human.
Opinions on becoming a board member APCOM Foundation.
Though I have been doing so little for APCOM Foundation compared with all the other APCOM members. It has been such an honor to me to be selected as a Thai Board for APCOM Foundation since 2014. I love that APCOM is so passionate for what they do and I am so happy to be a little part of it.
Leisure activities/personal preferences
I am an introverted person however, I could adjust to socializing if it needs to. I love many kinds of exercises; I do running, walking, cycling and occasional swimming.
I love animals and I have many pets at home. I love traveling to see things and live where I visit and I think I learn more every time I travel.
Director and Treasurer
Surasak Chalermsri
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Surasak Chalermsri
Work experiences
I am currently working as Manager – HRBP ZP Therapeutics since Apr 2020. I firstly joined Zuellig Pharma Limited in Sep 2018 as Manager – Compensation & Benefits and acting as HRBP – Operations and Office Administration Manager. Currently Zuellig has over 1,700 employees within Thailand organization.
I worked as a Head of Finance Department for Car Dealership in Thailand, called “Wearnes Group Thailand” with twenty-five subordinates.
I worked in Thailand as Finance Manager for a Pooling Supply Chain Solution, called CHEP (Thailand) Limited, reporting directly to CFO in Australia. It is a subsidiary of Brambles which is listed on ASX in Australia.
I worked in Singapore as a Senior Accountant for a software company, called CA (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., reporting directly to the Country Controller (Based in Hong Kong).
I worked in the UK for almost 2 years. The latest job was working as Trainee Accountant for a public practice firm in Woking, United Kingdom.
Before moving to the UK. I worked as an Accountant for Computer Associates International (Thailand) Co., Ltd. reporting directly to the Financial Controller in Singapore (It is a subsidiary of US company called CA, Inc. which is listed on NYSE) before deciding to gain some working experience in the UK.
I am currently studying a Master Degree at CMMU – Mahidol, major in Business Management and I will graduate in Sep 2021. I have two Bachelor Degrees; One is a B.Sc. in Accountancy and the other a B.Sc. in Applied Physics.
I have over 19 years of working experience in Financial & Accounting with considerable exposure working with foreigners and MNC Company.
Work experience in LGBTQIA+
I have no working background in LGBTIQ but I am proud being one and part of LGBTIQIA+ group. Being a chairman of APCOM since 2019, it is giving me more understanding of how to be a small part to drive LGBTIQ to society to accept and understand more about us.
My view of LGBTIQ is equally to heterosexual, LGBTIQ is equally to have basic human rights treatment and easily access to get treated to any diseases no only HIV/ AIDS.
HIV/AIDS patients should be accepted and treated equally no matter who you are or where you come from.
As I am someone who has no experience in NGOs working environment. I am proud to be able to contribute some of my knowledge and working strength from the corporation to APCOM.
Opinions on equality, LGBTQIA+ and HIV health issues
N/A
Opinions on becoming a board member APCOM Foundation.
N/A
Leisure activities/personal preferences
Learning from others locally and internally through travelling is my passion.
Somchai Phromsombut
Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors
Somchai Phromsombut
Work experiences
1997-2002
Worked at Wednesday Friends Club, position of Assistant Manager, coordinating work on HIV AIDS in Thailand. My duty is to adjust the attitude, give knowledge and understanding in the network of people who work on AIDS issues. I also attended the World AIDS Conferences in many countries.
2002-2005
Worked at the Thailand Business Coalition on AIDS (TBCA) as Marketing Manager for career promotion. Also, developing, and empowering people living with HIV.
2005-2012
Established the independent HIV cohabitation group (Not under an organization or hospital unit) to help enhancing knowledge and understanding among those living with the infection who cannot access the service system during office hours, including those who are at risk or affected by HIV/AIDS working part-time (working at night and in shifts). I had the great opportunity to receive Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali, who came to visit the organization. As a result, the organization has become more acceptable from the community during that period.
2012-Present
Registered an organization as a legal entity named “The POZ Home Center Foundation” and take the position as the Director of the Foundation.
Work experience in LGBTQIA+
80 percent of office-based staff, field staff, the volunteers, including my personal staff are in the LGBTQI+ community who are living with HIV. Therefore, from 2012 to the present, I have had the opportunity to work on this issue which is considered a vulnerable population who are living with HIV/AIDS as they were treated in the limited area in terms of life, economy, income, tortious interference, attitudes of violence. Shunning and stigmatization are still being reproduced. As a result, reducing stigma is extremely difficult. The Foundation is involved in the policy advocacy process, to continuously promote rights and liberties of this population. And we will continue doing this work.
Opinions on equality, LGBTQI+ and HIV health issues
From my point of view, the equality and access system for health care for the target people nowadays is much better than in the past. That means the policy has improved to some extent. But in practice, it is not as good as it should be or in accordance with the policy that asks for cooperation only. It is not a law that can be held against those who do not respond to the policy. Furthermore, the important thing is most of the victims were embarrassed and they did not dare to complain and claim their rights. Moreover, they don’t know, don’t understand their own rights. So, these jobs are still a big problem for people who are working on this issue. We must fight for equality and equality in a democratic way.
Opinions on becoming a board member APCOM Foundation.
I have known the APCOM Foundation for over 10 years, not as a committee member, we’re friends. I’ve seen many visible works from APCOM as their works are the same with our works at the POZ, collaborating between Prevention and Care & Support issues. In addition, respectfulness among workers in every level from management to staff are excellent. As a result, there is a continually better relationship. Obviously, working on social work; starting from the organization’s core value of identity thus resulting in true and equal success to the outside people. Personally, I would like to thank the APCOM Foundation for inviting me to be part of the organization. And I will do my role as best as possible.
Leisure activities/personal preferences
I have to say that is quite difficult for me. As I have a lot of responsibilities to do. Unless I force myself to be free and energize myself to work, I’d prefer to go on vacation; mostly in nature, such as waterfalls, mountains, beaches, or pitching a tent. Stay with myself, embrace myself as much as I can.
Paijittra Katanyuta
Director and Treasurer
Paijittra Katanyuta
Work experiences
May 2005 to January 2006
Organization: Thailand Tatler Magazine
Position: Senior Advertising Executive
February 2006 to January 2009
Organization: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Thailand
Position: Communications Officer
February 2009 to November 2009
Organization: PATH (Thailand)
Position: IEC Officer
November 2009 to February 2011
Organization: Population Services International – PSI (Thailand) Foundation
Position: Communication and Training Coordinator
May 2011 to March 2013
Organization: Foundation for Consumers (Thailand) / Self-Employment (Freelancer)
Position: Personal Assistant
January 2013 to May 2014
Organization: International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC)
Position: Policy Support Officer
May 2014 to January 2018
Organization: CHEP (Thailand) Limited Position: Office Management Manager & Marketing Coordinator (Currently also acting PA to Country Director)
February 2019 to April 2019
Organization: APCOM Foundation
Position: Operations Manager (Management Level)
May 2019 to May 2021
Organization: Zuellig Pharma Ltd.
Position: Employee Engagement & Communication Manager
Work experience in LGBTQIA+
I had my experiences working for LGBTIQ+ when I was working for INGOs. My works at the time were focused on issues of human rights in health therefore, they did cover all populations including LGBTIQ+. For example, I did work in HIV projects for MSF-B (Thailand) in various populations; migrant workers, prisoners, PHAs and MSM and LGBTIQ+ were members of these groups. In addition, when I was working for PSI Foundation Thailand for IDU Project and LGBTIQ+ were in the group as well.
Opinions on equality, LGBTQI+ and HIV health issues
I always see no difference between people in terms of human equality. A Right to access for health prevention and treatment is one thing I always fight for, for all humans to receive the same standard prevention and treatment regardless of their races, religions, beliefs, nationalities, ages and genders. We all get ill and we could have the same pain from the sickness and we must have the same treatment as a human.
Opinions on becoming a board member APCOM Foundation.
Though I have been doing so little for APCOM Foundation compared with all the other APCOM members. It has been such an honor to me to be selected as a Thai Board for APCOM Foundation since 2014. I love that APCOM is so passionate for what they do and I am so happy to be a little part of it.
Leisure activities/personal preferences
I am an introverted person however, I could adjust to socializing if it needs to. I love many kinds of exercises; I do running, walking, cycling and occasional swimming.
I love animals and I have many pets at home. I love traveling to see things and live where I visit and I think I learn more every time I travel.
.
APCOM’s Core Governance Body:
The Regional Advisory Group
The Regional Advisory Group (RAG) is the core governance body of APCOM. The RAG members are being selected through an application, nomination and endorsement process, based on skills and merits in those fields in which APCOM is working. This does not apply to the representative of the Thai Foundation Board in the RAG. The Thai foundation board members have the right to select from with their board their representative in the RAG. The 7 members in the RAG have voting rights on all issues being brought to vote. The RAG is completed with APCOM Executive Management, the Executive Director (ED), who are RAG members ex-officio, without voting rights.
APCOM’s RAG members primarily set out and approve the overall strategic directions of APCOM in order to achieve the organisation’s vision and mission. They lead the strategy development planning process, monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of APCOM in reaching its vision and mission through a regular review of the strategy, programmatic results and impact as well as they assure APCOM’s accountability to the Thai ministries on APCOM’s registration and mandate by delivering timely the reports and audits to the Thai foundation board as required for maintaining the registration.
Last but not least, the RAG approves organisational policies relating to the work of APCOM in the Asia and Pacific and looks for advice from specific experts for new or revised policies as needed.
Terms of Service of RAG Members:
RAG members serve per term of three years, except when a member has to vacate office. His/her replacement will only serve the remaining time in office, before elections are due. RAG members are eligible for re-election after one term, but cannot serve more than two terms in office. APCOM’s RAG members fulfil the position on a voluntary basis and do not receive any remuneration for their work as RAG member.
Eligibility to become a Regional Advisory Group Member:
The criteria for being eligible to apply and be selected as a Regional Advisory Group member are:
- Living in the Asia/Pacific region
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have skills, experience and merits earned in those fields in which APCOM is working and/or bring added value in other ways to the development or growth of the organisation and/or reaching APCOM’s strategic goals and objectives
- The candidate should preferably related to an organisation, however, this is not a necessity
- The candidate should feel strongly attached or represents the interests groups and constituencies APCOM is working with and for
APCOM’s Executive Committee:
Within the RAG, an Exco is elected for overseeing the day-to-day business and act as a sounding board for the APCOM’s Executive Management. The Exco consists of three elected members (chair, co-chair and secretary), completed with the Thai Foundation Board member, usually the chair of the Thai Foundation board, which makes the total Exco consisting of four members. The RAG member of the Thai Foundation Board is automatically the treasurer in the RAG and Exco, as ultimately the Thai Foundation Board will need to present the APCOM financial accounts to the relevant Ministries for maintaining and fulfilling the obligations that come with APCOM’s registration in Thailand. The Exco and RAG are serviced by APCOM’s secretariat based in Bangkok.
The current RAG members are:
Bryan Choong
Singapore
Bryan Choong
Bio
Bryan Choong spent more than 15 years working on community health issues for the LGBTQIA+ communities in Singapore. He believes in empowering, mobilising and tapping communities’ knowledge and experiences to address social issues.
He is passionate about community programme development, implementation and evaluation, and is highly skilled in designing and implementing qualitative research, conducting evaluation and working with volunteers.
Bryan currently serves on Oogachaga’s Board of Directors and also contributed to other Singapore LGBTQIA+ organisations and projects such as The Greenhouse SG, The T Project and Same Same but Different Legal Guide.
In his professional life, Bryan is a management consultant at Empact, a social enterprise in Singapore and in his role, he collaborates with mission-driven organisations in Singapore to magnify their work for the under-served communities.
In recognition of his contribution to the nonprofit sector and leadership in LGBTQIA+ community work in Singapore, Bryan received a Chevening scholarship from the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2017. He has a Master in Public Health from the University of Edinburgh and a Master in Counselling from the University of South Australia.
What am I bringing into APCOM
“I am excited to be given a chance to work with the RAG members and APCOM team, as well as the LGBTQIA+ organisations in the Asia-Pacific region. I will bring my knowledge and skills as an LGBTQIA+ community organiser, and my professional experiences as a management consultant to support APCOM’s work.”
APCOM in its new strategic phase
“As APCOM moves further in its second decade, we hope to see continued innovative programs to reduce new HIV infections, end AIDS and create an enabling environment for gay men, other MSM, and diverse SOGIESC people in Asia and the Pacific achieve better rights, health and well being.”
Khun M
Bangkok, Thailand
Khun M
Bio
Khun M is currently working as Manager – HRBP ZP Therapeutics since Apr 2020. I firstly joined Zuellig Pharma Limited in Sep 2018 as Manager – Compensation & Benefits and acting as HRBP – Operations and Office Administration Manager. Currently Zuellig has over 1,700 employees within Thailand organizations.
He has over 19 years of working experience in Financial & Accounting with considerable exposure working with foreigners and MNC Company.
He worked as a Head of Finance Department for Car Dealership in Thailand, called “Wearnes Group Thailand” with 55 subordinates.
He worked in Thailand as Finance Manager for a Pooling Supply Chain Solution, called CHEP (Thailand) Limited, reporting directly to CFO in Australia. It is a subsidiary of Brambles which is listed on ASX in Australia.
His work in Singapore was a Senior Accountant for a software company, called CA (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., reporting directly to the Country Controller (based in Hong Kong).
Before moving to the UK. I worked as an Accountant for Computer Associates International (Thailand) Co., Ltd report directly to the Financial Controller in Singapore (It is
a subsidiary of a US company called CA, Inc. which is listed on NYSE) before deciding to gain some working experience in the UK.
For almost 2 years in the UK, his latest job was a Trainee Accountant for a public practice firm in Woking.
He is currently studying his Master Degree at CMMU – Mahidol, majoring in Business Management and I will graduate in Sep 2021. I have two Bachelor Degrees; One is a B.Sc. in Accountancy and the other a B.Sc. in Applied Physics.
Testimonial
“I have no working background in LGBTQIA but I am proud being one and part of the LGBTQIA group. Being a chairman of APCOM since 2019, it is giving me more understanding of how to be a small part to drive LGBTQIA to society to accept and understand more about us.
My view of LGBTQIA is equally to heterosexual, LGBTQIA is equally to have basic human rights treatment and easily access to get treated to any diseases no only HIV/ AIDS.
HIV/ AIDS patients should be accepted and treated equally no matter who you are or where you come from.
As I am someone who has no experience in NGOs working environment. I am proud to be able to contribute some of my knowledge and working strength from the corporation to APCOM.
Learning from others locally and internally through travelling is my passion.”
Luc Stevens
Bangkok, Thailand
Luc Stevens
Bio
Luc Stevens has over 35 years of experience in humanitarian aid and international development. He started his international career in 1985 as a volunteer development worker in Djibouti. Thereafter he joined the United Nations where he was mainly involved in humanitarian programmes, emergency management and inspections/investigations with the UN Refugee Agency. Luc started his career with UNHCR as a Junior Professional Officer in Sudan. He also served in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tanzania, Ghana and held various positions at UNHCR headquarters in Geneva.
From 2006 to 2017 Luc was assigned as UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Jordan and Thailand. In this capacity he also served as Humanitarian Coordinator, Designated Official for Safety and Security; and UNFPA Representative.
Luc Stevens is an advocate for a human rights-based approach for sustainable development. During the last ten years of his career he campaigned for inclusive development as a participatory process with focus on political and social dimensions and encouraged others to engage with civil society and the business sector as accountable partners.
Luc currently coaches staff in the UN system and the NGO community. He occasionally lectures at universities in Asia on human rights issues and international organizations.
What am I bringing into APCOM
“I am looking forward to helping APCOM push boundaries as a key player in the HIV space, advise on inclusive sustainable development programming and fulfill its human-rights-based mission in Asia and the Pacific. I will support APCOM in putting youth empowerment, research and innovation at the core of its mission.”
APCOM in its new strategic phase
“I picture APCOM as a spirited and ambitious organization in Asia and the Pacific, a defender of human and legal rights of MSM and SOGIESC people, an advocate for equitable health services, a leader in research, and trusted advisor and mentor for community-led organizations and young people in the region.”
Max Wahid
Suva, Fiji
Max Wahid
Bio
Max Wahid (pronouns he/him) describes himself as an ‘accidental’ LGBTQIA+ activist. “I have always had a very ‘authentically vocal’ approach on all things Inclusion and Diversity – and my passion was always evident”. Over 8 years’ experience as a Human Resources Practitioner, spanning in the Financial, commercial Industry & Fast Moving Commercial Goods (FMCG) Industry across Fiji, Asia Pacific & Europe – he is deeply versed on the need for genuine inclusive policies. He spearheaded the first ever ANZ Pacific ‘PRIDE Network’ for genuine inclusion of LGBTQIA+ staff in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga; initiated the first ever Women-only Leadership Speaker series for any FMCG Company in Fiji whilst he was with Paradise Beverages (sister company for Coca Cola Amatil) and paged his memoirs during his time as an ex British Army veteran as well. Max was awarded the Pan-Balkans North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Medal and on the back of his deployed military services in Bosnia. In 2019 Max was also awarded Gold-winner (Human Resources) from the Fiji Human Resources fraternity, this Award recognises exceptional HR Managers in Fiji.
What am I bringing into APCOM
“Genuine inclusion begins with authentic leadership, daring greatly to setting realistic boundaries through thriving relationships at grassroot level’ To be a part of RAG for APCOM comes with sheer responsibility, one that requires wholeheartedness in advocating and amplifying the Pacific voice and to be heard where decisions are made.”
APCOM in its new strategic phase
“Being literal in every sense when we say – Leaving no one behind. Stronger interlinked communities and broader partner networks, to progress with human rights dialogue at every table!”
Michael Liu
Shenyang, China
Michael Liu
Bio
Michael Liu received his Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Northeastern University in China, and his Masters in Social Development from the University of Sussex, England. He used to work as the Vice Director and Project Manager at the Consultation Center of AIDS Aid and Health Service for 9 years. He also works as a Consultant at Northeast Transgender Support Network. These two non-governmental organizations both advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, HIV/AIDS support services, and sex workers’ human rights advocacy in Asia and the Pacific region. In May 2020, Michael joined APNSW as the Communications and Policy Officer.
He was responsible for grant writing, fundraising, project coordination / management, and organizational strategic planning. He also conducts community-based research and leadership building training workshops for the LGBTQIA+ and sex worker community. He has served on the advisory and management boards of several regional and international organizations and networks that aim to help the development and fundraising of non-government organizations worldwide. In 2014, he directed two short documentary films on transgender women sex workers in China as a community-based director.
What am I bringing into APCOM
“As a RAG member, Michael will help with resource mobilization and networking, linking APCOM with NGOs, CBOs, and corporations in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan. Michael will also help with fundraising by facilitating the co-application of projects between APCOM and other stakeholders in East Asia in terms of HIV prevention and LGBTQIA-related human rights.”
APCOM in its new strategic phase
“As one of the most prestigious regional networks, APCOM will be the leading force working with LGBTQIA+ groups, people living with HIV, and other key populations to voice out and create equal spaces for individual and rights-based organizations in Asia and the Pacific region. Meet the deepest community needs of the most marginalized group and continuously advocate for their human rights.”
Midnight
Bangkok, Thailand
Midnight
Bio
Midnight is from Northeast Thailand, and he is the Executive Director of APCOM, working in multi-sectoral partnerships with governments, donors, the United Nations, development partners and most importantly the community and civil society organisations working on advancing SOGIESC rights, and alleviating HIV in the Asia Pacific region.
Midnight is a member of various advisory committees, including the global IDAHOT committee, international advisory group of Dignity Network, World Health Organisation Global PrEP Coalition and Guidelines Development Group for HIV Testing Services, and ASHM’s Regional Advisory Group member leading on Key Populations of the Taskforce on BBVs, Sexual Health and COVID-19.
He was honoured as Gen.T 2020 for his advocacy for the rights of LGBTQIA communities in Asia, and also making the Future List 2020 as Thailand’s Human Rights advocate.
In 2016 Midnight gave the Closing Plenary Statement at the High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS at the UN General Assembly.
Welcome new RAG members
“It’s been a long time coming! I am so glad to have the full advisors on board to help APCOM think and take action in a more strategic way.
Be warned that it’ll be a lot of work – lol”
APCOM in its new strategic phase
“The effect of Covid-19 has highlighted the crucial role of the community organisations, and it’s all a new reality for everyone. In our new strategic phase APCOM should be brave and bold, and ensure we are better at articulating what we do and our impact.”
Renier Bona
Manila, the Philippines
Renier Bona
Bio
Renier Louie Bona is a senior researcher in Addictus Research and Intervention Center Inc., an NGO focusing on persons who use drugs, and sexual and reproductive health. He is also currently the Vice President of the Board of TLF Sexuality, Health, and Rights Educators Collective Inc., an NGO that seeks to develop programs, and review policies for the key populations in the Philippines. This NGO sits as a member of the Philippine National AIDS Council, the highest advisory body to the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines. He also co-founded a devolved HIV clinic in Metro Manila. His special interest is on the intersectionalities of HIV and drug use.
What am I bringing into APCOM
“I would like to bring into the discussion the experiences of our organization in HIV and human rights work, particularly in the context of war on drugs, incarceration, and extra-judicial killings. There is a need for regional cooperation especially where the environment for the MSM and TG (including those who use drugs, and involved in sex work) is harsh. Further support is needed for community-based organizations who work in risky situations. In contexts like this, prior program development and policy advocacy, human rights education and popularization may be an immediate need first. This way, our local partners are not put in risky and unsafe situations. Everyone cannot be safe if at least one is not (institutionally) protected.”
APCOM in its new strategic phase
“There is a need to address human rights barriers, especially in accessing healthcare interventions. Stigmatization and discrimination push the key populations into hiding. And a hidden population cannot be (properly) intervened. If we want to address HIV, we need to address these barriers, most especially in contexts where these barriers are systemic, systematic, and structural. Regional support should focus on these barriers.”
“The Asia and the Pacific region is a highly diverse region. Given this, focus should be where the barriers are seen to be more complex and more systematic. In areas where human rights situations are dismal, there is a need to go back to basics: human rights education, popularization, community organizing, and giving support to the amplification of the voices of the key populations.”
“HIV is not over until we address the structures that further the marginalization of the key populations.”
APCOM’s Secretariat:
The secretariat carries out APCOM’s work under the guidance and direction of the RAG and governing policies as established in the APCOM Constitution. Implementation and development of all operational activities and functions are handled through the secretariat by staff, volunteers, working groups and, if needed, external consultants under the direction of the Executive Management.
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ANNUAL UPDATE 2021
Entitled “Our Pandemic Journey: Looking Back as we Move Forward”, our 2021 Annual Update provides a comprehensive work of what a collective team and regional partnerships can do despite many challenges, including the continuation of the emergency fund #CoronaAPCOMpassion started by APCOM staff and our COVID-19 special newsletter series would also continue as communities share their stories on how the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has affected and impacted on their lives.
Who would have thought that a pandemic would continue on in 2021? And that emergency funding for vulnerable and marginalized communities would be more needed than ever? 2021 was as arduous as the year before and the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic made us pivot our work, drastically changing the way we work. Regardless, these changes gave us shared experiences that we can learn from and together we prevail!
ANNUAL UPDATE 2020
#CoronaAPCOMpassion annual report of 2020 highlights APCOMs significant activities/work that APCOM held in 2020 despite the alarming threats, challenges, restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. One of the most important tasks in 2020 was establishing a relief mechanism initiated by APCOM staff by donating a portion of their salary to render a direct and immediate aid required by grassroots communities of HIV and LGBTQI who are significantly affected by the Covid-19 outbreak in Asia and Pacific region. Another significant event held was “APCOM Community Summit 2020”, five day hybrid Summit in November 2020 to highlight the impact of Covid-19 on people living with HIV and key populations, revealing glaring inequalities and amplifying the need for better coordination among the community, and also to honour LGBTQI and HIV advocates and allies and their community who are striving for the rights of LGBTQI communities in Asia and Pacific.
ANNUAL UPDATE 2019
The Asia Pacific HIV and SOGIESC health and rights network APCOM has highlighted the shrinking space for civil society in the region and the contraction of funding for such activities as part of it’s 2019 Annual Update, which was released today.
The report provides an overview of the organisation’s activities and achievements over 2019, the organisation’s twelfth year of working to improve and protect the health and rights of gay men, other men who have sex with men and people of diverse sexual orientation, gender identify and expression and sexual characteristics (SOGIESC) across Asia and the Pacific.
ANNUAL UPDATE 2018
2018 marked a year of consolidation for APCOM across a range of initiatives and objectives. One of the most important was the development and launch of TENACITY, our Strategic Framework for 2018-2020. This vital organisational framework will guide our work over the next few years and commits APCOM to taking a bold, ambitious and tenacious approach to building a more effective response to the health and rights of gay men, other men who have sex with men and LGBTI people across Asia and the Pacific.
ANNUAL UPDATE 2017
APCOM is proud to release our 2017 Annual Update, detailing the contribution our activities throughout the year made towards improving the health and rights of the communities we serve across Asia and the Pacific.
2017 was a special year for APCOM as we marked 10 years of working with our communities throughout the region. Our report highlights some of the special events we undertook to commemorate this milestone as well as the broad range of activities we undertook to accelerate the impact of our mission.
ANNUAL UPDATE 2016
The report showcases our efforts in advocating for sexual health services, cultivating an enabling environment, generating and sharing strategic information, and building a cadre of advocates at all levels throughout the region.
2016 was another busy year for APCOM, with our broad range of activities accelerating the impact of our vital mission.
ANNUAL UPDATE 2015
APCOM is proud to release its Annual Update 2015, detailing the contribution its projects have made towards gay men and other men who have sex with men, and transgender communities throughout the year. The report showcases our efforts in advocating sexual health services, cultivating an enabling environment, generating and sharing strategic information, and building a cadre of advocates at all levels in the Asia-Pacific region. Throughout 2015 we have successfully continued to expand programmes while initiating new and innovative projects.
ANNUAL UPDATE 2014
For 2013, the word that best described APCOM was consolidation. Keeping that tradition, this year we chose another word “spark”. APCOM’s 2014 was a year of many new and exciting sparks for the coalition, the organisation and our work.
ANNUAL UPDATE 2013
“Consolidation” best sums up 2013 for APCOM. An external evaluation commissioned by Hivos and UNDP in early 2012 strategically guided our work to assess its impacts and progress from its inception in 2007. It provided guidance by looking at areas of Relevance, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Sustainability and Equity. Throughout 2013, we formed our bases and continued to build momentum as we geared up to an effective engagement for the 11th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP11), which was hosted in Bangkok, 18-22 November 2013.
ANNUAL UPDATE 2012
In what has been a busy year, 2012 can be summed up as consolidation year for APCOM. A new base for APCOM’s operations was found in Bangkok – centre for international and regional community networks, and our leadership was renewed, providing much-needed stability.We would like to say thank you to Hivos, an organisation that understands the needs of community networks, and therefore puts real investment into core operating costs. We are grateful to UNAIDS and UNDP for helping to strengthen our governance- and strategic information development functions, and to IDS, our new partner, for helping us develop the policy brief on positive MSM. We also thank all our other stakeholders who have helped guide APCOM during this period.
Interested in working with APCOM?
Since 2007, the Secretariat, based in Bangkok, Thailand has increased its staff complement to meet the needs of the region.
We recruit diverse, highly skilled, approachable and compassionate individuals and encourage diversity and community representation.
All our staff identify as being part of the community and as one of the key affected populations
including youth and people living with HIV.
We are an equal opportunity employer; and provide a welcoming and pleasant working environment
with uplifting staff with diverse backgrounds and expertise.
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How to apply:
Interested applicants should send a CV and Cover letter,
outlining how their skills and experience match the requirements in the job description.
By email only to: [email protected]
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See below to find our current vacancies:
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Creative Communications and Media Assistant (Thai Nationality)
(Deadline: 30 SEP 2023 / 18:00 Bangkok time)
The primary responsibility of the Creative Communications and Media Assistant is to ensure that organisational campaign promotions, key messaging, and publications are creatively designed, curated and produced according to the standards of the organisation. The officer will also take part in the internal and external communication efforts and to identify and develop online campaign activities.
See terms of reference and how to prepare your application here
Campaigns Officer (Thai Nationality)
(Deadline: 30 SEP 2023 / 18:00 Bangkok time)
APCOM is looking for looking for someone who is highly motivated and has a real commitment to campaign for change on sexual health for young gay community. You’ll be enthusiastic and full of ideas, able to juggle multiple deadlines and tasks, while being ready to show initiative and take ownership of your area of work. Project management skill and online marketing knowledge are the advantage.
See terms of reference and how to prepare your application here
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Intern: Communications / Videographer – Editer
Foremost good writers and/ or communications students Cf. Text and social media context, also for Newsletter proofreading.
You will be an integral part of the Communications team at APCOM. Primarily focused on the initiatives of the Social Media team, you will help with daily operations, strategy, management, and the creation of new advertising campaigns. Additionally, you will write and proofread content pieces related to newsletters, press releases.
See term of reference
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