Michael Gerson, columnist for the Washington Post and senior advisor for the ONE Campaign, will visit the University of Iowa campus on April 3.

Gerson will lecture on the role of U.S. foreign aid in global HIV/AIDS prevention, using his own personal experiences in Africa and his role in creating and implementing President George W. Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) as background context. The talk is being held at 7 p.m. in the Old Capitol Museum. It is free and open to the public.

ONE at University of Iowa, a new student organization, competed against other ONE university chapters and won an all-expenses paid visit by Gerson.

"We're very excited to have somebody who has really pushed the United States forward in providing foreign aid to areas needing HIV/AIDS prevention and relief," says Steven Williams, co-president of ONE at UI. "Gerson is a great advocator and I'm sure his personal stories about his experiences will help to motivate ONE members and other audience members to continue advocating for the cause."

During his first trip to sub-Saharan Africa, Gerson realized that out of the 30 million people affected by HIV, only about 2 percent of them received treatment. “The pandemic had already produced 14 million orphans,” he wrote in a February 2013 column. “Millions were dying at the same time and yet in total isolation, surrounded by the barbed wire of stigma.”

ONE at University of Iowa approached the Public Policy Center and other campus groups to help organize Gerson’s appearance.

"It is critical for student groups and research organizations on campus to partner together on events, like this one, to bring awareness and knowledge to the UI and Iowa City communities about the importance of HIV/AIDS prevention and other health policy topics,” says Peter Damiano, director of the Public Policy Center.

It has been 10 years since PEPFAR was established, and in those 10 years it has helped provide treatment to more than 5 million people affected by HIV. "Ten years later, it is still the noblest thing I have ever seen," writes Gerson.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Liz Watson at 319-335-6817 or elizabeth-m-watson@uiowa.edu.

This event is co-sponsored by the University of Iowa’s Carver College of Medicine and the Office of Cultural Affairs & Diversity Initiatives; Center for Human Rights; Chief Diversity Office; College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics and Department of Preventive & Community Dentistry; College of Public Health; Department of Political Science; Global Health Club; Global Health Studies Program; International Programs; Iowa United Nations Association; KRUI; Obermann Center for Advanced Studies; Office of the President; ONE at University of Iowa; Pentacrest Museums; Public Policy Center; and School of Journalism & Mass Communication.