IPVS: “In 2024, one of our main goals is to establish new collaborative partnerships”

The International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS) was created in 1975 to promote the worldwide exchange of ideas, knowledge and research among scientists, clinical specialists and other health professionals interested in the human papillomavirus (HPV) and its associated diseases. Over the past almost fifty years, the IPVS has facilitated research into HPV and promoted the translation of research findings into new clinical applications and improved public health policies.

The IPVS began meeting annually in 1982 and was officially established as a non-profit organisation in 2000. Gergana Georgieva and Anita Wiseman, respectively Interim Executive Director of IPVS and Director of the International HPV Awareness Campaign, explained to us the Society's initiatives and projects for 2024.
 

What strategic plan has the IPVS adopted to increase its visibility and draw public attention to this disease?

Gergana Georgieva: The IPVS is primarily a group of scientists, academics and clinicians. To improve awareness and understanding of HPV, the society created the International HPV Awareness Day Campaign, back in 2018. We believe that raising public awareness and reducing the stigma of HPV is essential to the global effort to eliminate the virus and reduce the global burden of HPV-related cancer. When all HPV-related cancers become rare diseases, all cancers will fall by 5%. By normalising the conversation about HPV and providing people with the knowledge they need, the campaign empowers individuals and society to take effective action to reduce the harm caused by HPV.

AskAboutHPV.org is the website the public should visit to learn more about HPV, providing evidence-based facts about HPV from leading experts. In many countries, awareness of HPV and its link to cancer is alarmingly low. Getting messages across can be particularly difficult in some countries and regions due to cultural differences. Fortunately, a global network of more than 140 official campaign partner organisations in 57 countries helps make key messages effective in local contexts. Our partners use translated, peer-reviewed materials to raise awareness about HPV in their communities. Campaign materials are translated into different languages, adapted locally and shared through television, radio, news publications, social media platforms, in collaboration with public figures or well-established content creators, through face-to-face community sessions and public events, sporting events, and more.
 

"Celebrated on 4th March, the International HPV Awareness Day is the one day of the year when HPV is put into the global health spotlight."

The IPVS has created the LLMIC National Ambassador Programme, which offers opportunities in education, mentoring and grants for researchers, doctors, NGOs and public health specialists from under-resourced areas. Tell us more about this programme.

Anita Wiseman: IPVS recognises the challenges faced by HPV professionals in low-resource settings and wants to improve access to IPVS membership and educational resources for our colleagues. This commitment is aligned with the drive to eradicate HPV globally and reduce the burden of cancer, which is often disproportionately high in these same regions (compared to high-income countries). The IPVS Country Ambassadors programme is made up of an active and enthusiastic group of IPVS members in Low and Lower-Middle Income Countries (LLMICs). Whether through research, advocacy or both, they are determined to reduce the level of HPV-related cancer in their countries. These ambassadors promote the benefits of IPVS, recruit new members, and share educational resources and information about our opportunities with their local peers. Many of them take part in the International HPV Awareness Campaign and engage in regular virtual and in-person meetings. Some ambassadors organise face-to-face education activities on HPV topics. The group meets bimonthly to share knowledge and experience and further disseminate them to stakeholder communities.

What are the key points IPVS has marked on the drawing board for the calendar year 2024?

GG: In 2024, one of our main goals is to establish new collaborative partnerships with key international and regional organisations with whom IPVS has shared objectives. This should help amplify our efforts and increase our impact on a global scale. Through working together, we are stronger. IPVC 2024 in Edinburgh, from 12th to 15th November, is a key week on our calendar. In collaboration with leading experts in various HPV-related fields and disciplines, we are preparing an extensive Awareness & Advocacy Programme at IPVC 2024. In the past, IPVS conferences used to be 97% scientific, but during last year’s IPVC 2023, this changed. Science and advocacy are two major streams of activity heading in the same direction toward a shared ultimate objective. Through connecting experts and stakeholders from both streams, we catalyse meaningful discussions, share best practices, and inspire collaborative action to address the challenges posed by HPV-related diseases.

IPVS was recently awarded the ICCA Seed Fund Grant, which will enable IPVS and its 2024 conference to carry its legacy programme into Edinburgh. How does the organisation intend to invest this grant in pursuit of its impact objectives for the conference?

AW: IPVS was indeed honoured to be the recipient of the Seed Grant and with the support of our colleagues from the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, we are formulating plans to further the legacy programme of IPVC 2024, leaving a noticeable positive impact on the local/regional community. For example, plans include visiting a number of Edinburgh high schools to raise awareness of HPV among students and to encourage HPV vaccination to protect against HPV-related cancer in both girls and boys. We have more to share, but for now we are keeping some secrets until the conference gets closer.
 

"The participation of representatives from organisations such as the WHO, European Cancer Organization, HPV Coalition, the American Cancer Society, and many others, contribute to the success of the IPVS conferences."

In 2023, IPVS membership reached a record high of more than 1,500 members from 111 countries – an increase of more than 100% from the previous year. What benefits and service packages have you made available to bring in such a large influx of members?

GG: IPVS not only provides valuable resources and information on the latest research, but also opportunities to get involved and recognised within the global HPV community. Members have access to a ‘Members Area’ on IPVSoc.org, to connect with other members from around the world; an Education Portal giving access to new webinars and other content every month; and the HPV Hub, an online platform to support communication, knowledge sharing and collaboration between campaign partners and IPVS members with an interest in raising public awareness about HPV and advocacy campaigns. In 2022, IPVS introduced a Mentorship Programme connecting early-career researchers with established global experts that is very popular with our members. Furthermore, the IPVS Travel Grants Scholarship Programme enabled more than 45 scholars from LLMICs to attend IPVC 2023 in Washington, D.C., complemented by other grants and awards to support attendance and recognition for members’ research. The Country Ambassadors Programme, launched in 2023, also stimulated membership, especially in LLMICs, extending the reach of IPVS in these regions, some of which suffer disproportionately from HPV-related diseases. Looking ahead to the rest of 2024, we will further develop these programmes, incorporating more in-person elements to stimulate interaction among our members taking part in the programmes during IPVC 2024. Special sessions and workshops will be organised for Travel Grants scholars, early career members and awardees, to acknowledge their contributions, provide networking opportunities and connect them with international experts in the field.

What other events and campaigns do you have planned on this year’s agenda?

AW: One of the most important events of the year for IPVS, as we mentioned earlier, is the 36th International Papillomavirus Conference (IPVC 2024), under the theme ‘Equitable, Evidence-Based Approaches to HPV Disease’. IPVC 2024 offers workshops organised by leading experts covering state of the art developments in basic science, public health, and clinical research, as well as a whole dedicated early careers track for young scientists to network and showcase their work. This year’s conference features several new additions to the programme, including a course for clinicians (Human Papillomavirus Related Anogenital Diseases Course for Clinicians), and an extended HPV Awareness & Advocacy Programme involving some of our most active International HPV Awareness Campaign partners, and other leaders from European and international organisations in the field of HPV. Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, famous for its rich history and vibrant culture, will be the setting where IPVS unites the global HPV community to work collaboratively towards eliminating the burden of HPV-associated disease, including and beyond the cervix, and we look forward to that in November.