2012 Irish Aid Annual Professor Father Michael Kelly Lecture

This year the Father Michael Kelly Lecture was given as part of the IFGH 2012 International Conference on February 2 at RCSI. Dr Mphu Ramatlapeng Minister of Health, Lesotho first spoke on strengthening human resource capacity to address the HIV crisis [podcast here].

In his speech [podcast here], Father Kelly reported on both good news in the area of HIV and AIDS, in particular that civil society is receiving further acknowledgement for its role in prevention and treatment, but also touched on taboo subjects. He suggested that in order to get to an HIV and AIDS free world we must stop the politically sensitive “fudging” and do the real work necessary to tackle these issues effectively, which includes supporting further research into possible genetic determinants. He reminded the audience that we’ve underestimated the challenge to get to an AIDS free world, and that we must be provocative and honest in this field in order to see success.

Father Michael Kelly was born in Tullamore in 1929. He studied at University College Dublin and was awarded a B.A. in Maths and Mathematical Physics in 1952, both with first class honours. He went on to receive a licentiate in philosophy in 1955. He moved to Zambia and has lived and worked there for 50 years, becoming a Zambian citizen. He worked for many years as headmaster o Canislius College in Chiseki in Zambia. He completed his PhD studies in the area of child and educational psychology in 1974 and subsequently became a senior lecturer and Dean of the School of Education in the University of Zambia (UNZA), in 1975. He served as pro-vice chancellor and deputy vice chancellor and became professor in 1989. He has received honorary degrees from University College Dublin and the University of the West.

Father Kelly’s work on HIV/AIDS is noted internationally, having worked with UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Bank, and made significant contributions to our understanding of the impact of HIV on education, and education on HIV.

Yvonne Chaka Chaka, South African singer and humanitarian, wrapped up the event by speaking on the importance of supporting African women. She concluded by singing several songs and got everyone on their feet dancing [podcast here].

Click on the links below to listen and view the presentations from this event.

Download

• Father Michael Kelly Lecture, FR Michael Kelly – Audio (31.31 MB)
• Father Michael Kelly Lecture, Dr. Ramatlapeng – Audio (26.17 MB)
• Father Michael Kelly Lecture, Q&A – Audio (14.41 MB)
• Father Michael Kelly Lecture, Dr. Ramatlapeng’s powerpoint (419.5 KB)
• Father Michael Kelly Lecture, Yvonne Chaka Chaka – Audio (19.42 MB)