Robert Carr: A leader whose humility and compassion was matched by his uncompromising dedication to fight prejudice and injustice.
It is with great sadness that we at the International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO) inform you of the death of our friend and colleague Dr. Robert Carr, who died last week.
It has taken us some time to be able to write this statement while gripped by an unbelievable sense of loss of a friend we loved dearly, a colleague who inspired us, and a leader who stood out amongst so many to challenge injustice and intolerance.
Some will have known Robert as the Director of Policy and Advocacy at ICASO, others as the founder of Caribbean Vulnerable Communities, as the Co-Chair of the Global Forum on MSM and HIV, or as the recently selected civil society Co-Chair of the Global Coalition on Women and AIDS. He had many other positions within HIV and human rights committees and boards. What stands out more than anything, through this work, is the number of people he reached from every part of the world and from so many different communities - as seen by the outpouring of tributes to him. From grassroots communities that he supported and mentored, often on a daily basis, to government and UN officials who respected his intelligence, his passion, and his conviction to find genuine solutions to the AIDS pandemic.
If one can agree that a leader is judged best not by their own actions, but by the actions of those that they guide and support, then Robert was a true leader within the AIDS movement. Robert was to so many their mentor, their adviser, their listener, their provocateur, and above all else their unbridled supporter. He believed passionately in the need to address the underlying structural issues that continue to deny people the basic right of access to HIV prevention, treatment care and support. In particular he rallied against gender inequality, and sought to challenge the continued marginalisation and vulnerability to HIV of men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers, and people who use drugs.
Robert's legacies are many. Too many to recount at once. But we know Robert continues to live out in the work of the communities he supported and in the minds of those who he convinced that there was a better more just approach to responding to HIV and AIDS. His work will certainly continue here at ICASO.
"I will miss Robert mostly because he was one of the most amazing human beings I've known, and consequently a dear and loving friend. I am lucky to be able to treasure the time I spent with him. What saddens me most is that the AIDS response, and the most affected communities that he so passionately fought for, has lost one of the great leaders. He understood better than most that even where there is disagreement, our strength as a movement was in working together. This led him to commit to support so many. There was so much hidden work that most people would not be aware of it, as he did not aspire to be seen to be doing it, but to position at the forefront those he supported. However, he did not shy away from stepping up to challenge injustice when it was needed, but did so in a way that both charmed and challenged those he sought to influence. I have heard countless times over the last week how so many people counted him as a mentor - it is because he was such a mentor to so many of us that his work, his passion, his personality, and his impact will live on."
Kieran Daly, Executive Director, ICASO
"Robert taught me that with a (disarming) smile you can achieve whatever you want. He also taught me that if you want justice, you have to be willing to fight for it. Most importantly, Robert taught me about friendship, sacrifice and above all, being brave enough to call out those that seek to deny what is right and just. He was never afraid of confrontation, but preferred conciliation. I will miss him dearly, as my colleague, my mentor and my good and loved friend."
Mary Ann Torres, Senior Policy Advisor, ICASO
"Robert was such a kind person, always looking at the positive and encouraging the people around him. I will most miss Robert's calm and can-do attitude - and our 'time outs' for a deep breath. Beyond working with the incoming NGO delegates, he was positively and gently championing the communications facility and this year's NGO report - always supporting my plans and ideas, and listening patiently. I can still hear him saying, 'Ok, ok, all that sounds great'. Thank you Robert for the time we shared."
Sara Simon, Focal Point, Communications Facility, UNAIDS PCB NGO Delegation
"A notable leader once stated, 'the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of calm or comfort, but where he stands in moments of challenge and controversy.' Robert was indeed a noble and courageous human being - he will long be remembered as an immeasurable man. We will remember and honor his legacy for eternity."
Jacqueline Coleman, Chair of the Board of Directors, ICASO.
Contact:
Kieran Daly, Executive Director, ICASO
kierand@icaso.org, +1 416 921 0018
