Early-Bird Rates for International Harm Reduction Conference Till January 31!

[This guest blog post about the upcoming international harm reduction conference taking place this April in Bogotá, Colombia, was written by Martina Moreira Da Silva, Conference Assistant at Harm Reduction International. We hope to be there, and hope to see you there too! Note that early bird registration rates are available through January 31st.]

plenary audience at Harm Reduction International Conference (courtesy HRI)

The countdown begins as we approach the 28th Harm Reduction International Conference (HR25), 'Sowing Change to Harvest Justice,' set to take place in Bogotá, Colombia from 27-30 April 2025. The conference returns to Latin America after 27 years of travelling across the world, and we find ourselves reflecting on the immense potential for collaboration, influence and progress in the harm reduction and drug policy reform fields.

The Harm Reduction International Conference has long been a home for those dedicated to promoting health, justice and human rights-based approaches to drug use and drug policies. For over 30 years, this forum has helped put harm reduction on the map. It brings together a diverse and inclusive group of over 1,000 delegates and speakers, including front-line health workers, academics, researchers, policy makers, politicians, UN representatives, people who use drugs, sex workers and people working in the criminal legal system. This makes your participation not just important, but essential to the richness of our discussions; global perspectives for a global issue.

We have seen the complete and utter failure of the war on drugs to achieve its stated goal of decreasing drug use or sales, leading to widespread violation of human rights, authoritarian governments and the backlash to drug policy wins. This war has had a long-lasting impact on people and communities around the world, especially across all aspects of the drug market; from farmers and crop growers to people who use drugs, the unjust loss of lives is the push of the harm reduction movement. This is why we come together to discuss the strategies, successes and challenges that have allowed spaces of community, innovation and advocacy to form with a common purpose.

HR25 is more than just a collection of presentations and discussions; it is the meeting place for a movement and a growing community of knowledge exchange and unity. With over 1200 abstracts submitted from 75 countries, the programme for HR25 is shaping up to be the best one yet!

Harm Reduction International (HRI) has a particular interest in how harm reduction intersects with other social justice movements, and we are very excited to see this reflected in the programme as it develops. We focus on a range of topics including drug cultivation and its impacts, responses and ethics, moving from conflict to drug peace, the impacts of the war on drugs on Indigenous communities, the intersection of drug policy and climate justice, decolonisation, economic and social impacts of drug policy and leadership from the Global South. Of course, the conference will continue to focus on the foundational aspects of harm reduction; we recognise that a one-size-fits-all policy is not a sustainable or realistic approach to end the war on drugs.

Why Bogotá, Colombia?

Choosing Bogotá as the host city for HR25 is no coincidence. Colombia, like many countries in Latin America, has been at the forefront of the war on drugs for decades. Our theme 'Sowing Change to Harvest Justice 'considers the challenges Colombia has faced as a country producing drugs and the impact of punitive drug policies. We come together at the conference to explore and create pathways to peace and justice. The Harm Reduction International Conference is heading to Colombia to support a country that is taking a leap towards an alternative model and to learn from the country and region.

So, what really happens over these four days?

HR25 offers many networking opportunities throughout the conference. We know that these informal settings are often where the most fruitful collaborations begin. One of the unique aspects of HR25 is our focus on practical advocacy skills. Delegates will benefit from our dynamic spaces that go beyond a classic plenary session - we offer wellbeing workshops to connect with others on a deeper level, a Dialogue Space to engage in discussions about best practice, learn from thought leaders and gain firsthand knowledge of innovative approaches that could inform advocacy efforts back home and build international coalitions for change.

We also recognize the importance of the voices of those most affected by the war on drugs as we create meaningful policies. HR25 provides a platform for people who use drugs to share their experiences and insights directly with policymakers, researchers and advocates. This aligns with the global commitment to human rights and social justice. By participating in the conference, you can help amplify these crucial voices and ensure they’re heard in policy discussions. As more countries begin to question the effectiveness of punitive approaches, there's a growing momentum for reform.

Who is behind it?

As we work on creating a brighter future for all, HRI is excited to share our vision for a world where drug policies prioritise dignity, health and rights for everyone. We use data and advocacy to promote harm reduction and drug policy reform. We show how rights-based, evidence informed responses to drugs contribute to healthier, safer societies, and why investing in harm reduction makes sense.

We are thrilled to announce that the upcoming Harm Reduction International Conference is a collaborative effort between HRI and our local partner, Corporación Acción Técnica Social (ATS). Their invaluable local knowledge, networks and experience play a crucial role in making HR25 a success. ATS is a dedicated civil society organization focused on advancing drug policy reform, harm reduction, human rights, drug market regulation and ensuring consumer participation. Together, we are committed to creating an inclusive space where voices from all corners of the harm reduction community can come together to share insights, experiences and strategies for creating a long-lasting, positive change.

The challenges we face in drug policy reform are significant, but so are the opportunities for positive change. By coming together in Bogotá, we can use our collective knowledge, experience, and passion to drive meaningful conversations that are effective in bringing change to communities that care about their people

Visit our website for more information on registration, our history and our programme: https://hr25.hri.global.

We look forward to welcoming you to Bogotá in April 2025!