Dear WAS Members and Friends,
The World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) is proud to announce the election of a new Advisory Committee (AC) for the 2025–2029 term. This announcement was made during the Closing Ceremony of the 27th WAS Congress in Brisbane / Meanjin, Australia, on 19 June 2025, following the vote of the WAS General Assembly. | |
A Fully Representative Leadership Team
For the first time in WAS history, the new Advisory Committee reflects full gender and regional diversity - achieved entirely through our democratic election process.
"This result is a powerful reflection of who we are, what our members value, and our unwavering commitment to inclusion." ~ Dr. Elna Rudolph, Immediate Past President
| | | Faysal El Kak, WAS President (2025 - 2029) | | | Congratulations to the New Executive Committee | | |
We warmly welcome the new Executive Officers of WAS: - President: Faysal El Kak (Lebanon)
- Vice President: Esther Corona Vargas (Mexico)
- Secretary-General: Erick Janssen (Belgium)
- Immediate Past President: Elna Rudolph (South Africa)
We also extend our congratulations to the new Executive Committee: - Associate Secretary: Armin Ariana (Australia)
Associate Secretary: Stefano Eleuteri (Italy) - Co-Chair of the Scientific Committee: Terry Humphreys (Canada)
- Associate Secretary: Eszter Kismödi (Switzerland)
- Co-Chair of the Scientific Committee: Kristen Mark (USA)
- Associate Secretary: Ana Yáñez-Otero (Spain)
The specific roles of each Associate Secretary will be confirmed and announced in the coming weeks. | | | 2021-2025 WAS AC members in attendance at WAS 2025. From left to right: Armin Ariana (#WAS2025 Congress President), Leiszle Rae Lapping-Carr, Christopher Fox (#WAS2025 Organizing Committee Member), Ana Yáñez Otero, Alain Giami, Stefano Eleuteri, Lisa Welsh (WAS Communications Lead), Erick Janssen, Elna Rudolph, Bradley R. Daniels, Elsa Almås, René de Klerk (WAS Executive Director), Pedro Nobre, Esther Corona-Vargas, Luis Perelman, and Jeyarani Kamaraj at #WAS2025. | | | Newly Elected Advisory Committee (2025–2029) | | |
The incoming AC represents 16 countries across all six global regions, bringing rich expertise in clinical practice, education, research, policy, and advocacy. - Armin Ariana (Australia, Asia Oceania) – Associate Secretary
- Esther Corona Vargas (Mexico, Latin America) – Vice President
- Bradley R. Daniels (South Africa, Africa)
- Stefano Eleuteri (Italy, Europe) – Associate Secretary
- Faysal El Kak (Lebanon, Eastern Mediterranean) – President
- Terry Humphreys (Canada, North America) – Scientific Committee Co-Chair
- Erick Janssen (Belgium, Europe) – Secretary General / Treasurer
- Jeyarani Kamaraj (India, Asia Oceania)
- Sharful Islam Khan (Bangladesh, Asia Oceania)
- Ons Kaabia (Tunisia, Eastern Mediterranean)
- Eszter Kismödi (Switzerland, Europe) – Associate Secretary
- Leiszle Lapping-Carr (USA, North America)
- Kristen Mark (USA/Canada, North America) – Scientific Committee Co-Chair
- Osmar Matsui-Santana (Mexico, Latin America)
- Rosediani Muhamad (Malaysia, Asia Oceania)
- Jean Paul Ngueya (Cameroon/France)
- Nic Rider (USA, North America)
- Tammary C. Rotich (Kenya, Africa)
- Elna Rudolph (South Africa) – Immediate Past President
- Ana Yáñez-Otero (Spain, Europe) – Associate Secretary
We look forward to their leadership over the next four years as they guide WAS through new phases of global collaboration and advocacy for sexual health, rights, justice, and pleasure.
Please note that the chairpersons and compositions of the new WAS committees will be deliberated over the coming weeks, and we will share further details as soon as they are available.
| | | Newly elected WAS AC members in attendance at WAS 2025.
Back row (L–R): René de Klerk, Erick Janssen, Osmar Matsui, Stefano Eleuteri, Leiszle Rae Lapping-Carr, Bradley R. Daniels.
Front row (L–R): Ana Yáñez Otero, Ons Kaabia, Esther Corona-Vargas, Elna Rudolph and Armin Ariana | | | Thank You to the Outgoing AC (2021–2025) | | |
WAS expresses deep gratitude to the outgoing Advisory Committee for their exceptional service and leadership over the past four years. Their contributions were instrumental in advancing our mission and guiding WAS through a time of significant growth and change.
With sincere appreciation, we thank: - Elsa Almås (Norway)
- Alain Giami (France)
- K S Jeyarani (India)
- Osmo Kontula (Finland)
- Pedro Nobre (Portugal)
- Luis Perelman-Javnozon (Mexico)
- Esben Esther Pirelli-Benestad (Norway)
- Tomoko Saotome (Japan)
- Mehmet Sungur (Türkiye)
| | | WAS Executive Director, René de Klerk, presenting the Executive Officers with awards for their 4 years of service. From left to right - Luis Perelman, René de Klerk, Elna Rudolph, Alain Giami, Pedro Nobre. | | | Celebrating Our Leadership at the Gala Dinner | | |
During the WAS 2025 Gala Dinner, we took a moment to honor the people behind the progress. Outgoing Executive Officers (Elna Rudolph - President, Alain Giami - Vice President, Luis Perelman - Secretary-General and Pedro Nobre - Immediate Past President) were recognised with personalized awards for their four years of dedicated service - presented by WAS Executive Director, Dr. René de Klerk.
We extend our deepest appreciation to Elna Rudolph, who concluded her term as WAS President (2021–2025). Under her leadership, WAS expanded its global influence, launched the Sexual Justice Initiative, and oversaw two successful Congresses - in Antalya and Brisbane. Her unwavering dedication, inclusive vision, and tireless energy have left a profound legacy.
Click here to read the WAS President's Report: September 2021 – June 2025
We also warmly acknowledge Alain Giami, who will always be remembered as the driving force behind the development of the WAS Declaration on Sexual Justice - a landmark document that will shape the future of our field for years to come.
Special thanks go to Luis Perelman, who served as Secretary-General for six years. During his tenure, WAS experienced an almost ten-fold increase in its operating budget, laying a strong foundation for future sustainability and growth.
We also acknowledge the heartfelt farewell address by Pedro Nobre, who steps down from the Executive Committee but remains an integral part of the WAS community as a non-voting AC member and member of the Council of Past Presidents.
In addition, four Presidential Awards were presented to individuals whose contributions stood out during the 2021–2025 term: - Osmo Kontula – for his longstanding leadership of the Sexuality Education Committee
- Elsa Almås – for her work leading the PES Committee and the forthcoming special journal publication
- Armin Ariana – for his dedicated stewardship of the 27th WAS Congress in Brisbane
- Anonymous Donor – accepted on their behalf by Eli Coleman, in recognition of their critical role in supporting the administration's success
| |
As we begin this new chapter, we carry forward the momentum built by those who came before us. With a fully representative leadership team and an engaged global community, WAS is poised to deepen its impact and expand its reach.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we will continue working toward a shared vision: Sexual health and rights for ALL.
Stay tuned - we'll be sharing much more news and highlights from the 27th WAS Congress in our next newsletter.
Warm regards,
The World Association for Sexual Health | | Support the Mission of WAS We invite you to support the ongoing work of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS).
Your contributions help us continue our mission of promoting Sexual Health, Rights, and Justice globally. Consider becoming a supporting member or making a financial contribution today.
Donations are tax-deductible in the USA. | | | |  | |
0 comments:
Post a Comment